Retainer Instructions

It is important to wear your retainer all of the time, unless the orthodontist instructs differently. Be sure to remove your retainer when eating; however, make sure you immediately place it in its travel case. The majority of appliances are lost in restaurants or school cafeterias. Use some toothpaste and a toothbrush to thoroughly clean your retainer once a day. Make sure you use warm water, but not hot water. It is necessary to brush the retainer in order to eliminate odors and plaque. You can use products such as Efferdent or other orthodontic appliance cleaners, however, these cleaners do not take the place of brushing.

Try to get into the habit of keeping your retainer in its case whenever it is not in your mouth. Pets are notorious for chewing on them when they are left out and about. It is common for people to initially find it difficult to speak when they first receive their new retainer. Practice singing out loud, reading or speaking in order to get used to it quicker. Retainers are delicate and breakable. Be sure to handle yours with care. If your retainer gets broken or lost, please phone our office immediately.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding your retainer, or you feel that it needs to be adjusted, please don’t hesitate to call us. It is important not to try to adjust it yourself. Remember to bring your retainer with you to all of your appointments. With the proper care, retainers can last for years; however, if you don’t take care of it, it may break and need to be replaced. This can be expensive. Make sure to take your retainer out whenever you go swimming. As well, remember to keep retainers away from pockets, napkins, hot car dashboards, hot water and the washing machine.