If you recently completed orthodontic treatment, congratulations! Now that your braces have been removed, you'll be provided with retainers. After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes.
Why Retainers Are Essential
Wearing retainers exactly as instructed is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime. Without proper retainer use, your investment in orthodontic treatment could be compromised.
Retainer Care Instructions
Here are the essential guidelines for retainer care:
Wearing Schedule:
• Wear your retainers full time, until your orthodontist instructs otherwise
• Wearing your retainers at night ensures that your teeth won't relapse
Daily Care:
• Take your retainers out when eating and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in lunch rooms or restaurants)
• Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and only a small amount of toothpaste
• Use warm but not hot water
Storage and Protection:
• When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case
• Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care
• If retainers are lost or broken, contact your orthodontist immediately
Activities:
• Remove retainers when swimming or during sporting activities where they could fall out
• Remove during contact sports when you should be wearing a mouth guard
Protecting Your Investment
Remember, retainers are the key to maintaining your beautiful new smile. Following these guidelines will help ensure your orthodontic results last a lifetime!
