At Safari Family Dental and Orthodontics, we love it when our patients smile with full confidence when their braces or aligners come off. And to preserve that stunning smile, we provide removable retainers. This is the last, but one of the most important parts of your orthodontic treatment. If you’re just getting started with retainers, here are five helpful tips from our Gulf Fwy orthodontist to maintain them.
Clean Your Retainers Daily
Just like it’s important to brush your teeth, it is equally important to keep your retainers clean. For the first 6 to 9 months, you’ll have to wear your retainers for about 20 to 22 hours every day. When you wear something in your mouth for that long, plaque and bacteria will naturally build up.
You can clean all that buildup by brushing your retainers with a soft toothbrush. You can add a small amount of non-abrasive toothpaste. Rinse well afterward.
We also recommend brushing and flossing your teeth before putting your retainers back in.
Remove Your Retainers Before Meals
During retainer wear, you don’t have any limitations about what you can eat and drink. There’s only one rule: remove your retainers every time before having a meal.
If you eat food or drink anything other than plain water while your retainer is still in your mouth, the food particles will get stuck on your retainer. Food and drink pigments can also discolor your retainer.
Always Carry a Retainer Case
Misplacing a retainer is very common. One of the most frequent reasons we hear from our patients in Gulf Fwy is that they placed it in a napkin or tissue before a meal and then forgot about it.
That’s why we always recommend keeping a retainer case to put your removable retainers in when they’re not in your mouth.
In fact, a better option is to keep two separate cases. One to keep at home and another in your work, school, or travel bag. This way, you’ll always have a protective case to keep your retainers in, and you can prevent misplacing them.
Keep Them Away From Heat
High heat can warp or damage the material of your removable retainers. So when you’re cleaning your retainers, only rinse them under room temperature or lukewarm water. Never use hot or boiling water.
Also, keep in mind to never leave your retainers near a heater, hot stove, or in a hot car.
Beware of Pets
If you have a furry friend at home, make sure to keep your retainer case in a spot where they cannot reach. Pets may think of it as a toy and may damage your retainers. So it’s better to be careful about it.
To Sum It Up
Taking care of retainers ensures that they last long and keep looking clean and fresh. Having any problems with your retainers or need a new set? Reach out to our team at Safari Family Dental & Orthodontics. Call our Gulf Fwy office at (281) 727-0051 to book your visit today!