“Welcome to Retainer Care 101. Today’s discussion will be about retainers, how to care for them, remember to actually wear them, and not lose or damage them.”
As your Spring orthodontist, we’re going to be the first to tell you that it is extremely important to wear your retainer after your orthodontic treatment is complete. Think about all of the progress you have made and the time it took you to get there. You’ve invested so much into improving your smile and your oral health, don’t ruin it by not wearing your retainer.
To help your retainer in tip-top shape, we’re sharing some beneficial maintenance tips to help set the record straight:
1) Listen to Your Spring Orthodontist
Wearing a retainer is a different experience for everyone. Some people must wear them all the time while other patients can take their retainer out for a few hours during the day or while they’re sleeping. Whatever your personal retainer instructions are, it’s important that you follow them as closely as possible. If you ever have any questions, never hesitate to contact us and ask!
2) Be Mindful of Storage
There have been quite a few instances at our Spring orthodontics office over the years, where retainers mysteriously disappeared and are never to be found again. Many times napkins and tissues are to blame, as retainers get wrapped up in them while eating or brushing, and the next thing you know, they’re in the trash on a trip to the local landfill. Always remember this: If your retainer isn’t on your face, keep it in its case.
3) Keep it Clean
When you’re brushing your teeth daily, this is an excellent time to show your retainer a little TLC too. Every time you rinse it and brush it off, you’re potentially removing bacteria from your retainer that could damage your teeth. Simply use your toothbrush and a little toothpaste — Voilà! You and your retainer are ready to face the world with a smile.
If something goes wrong with your retainer, don’t panic. Call us to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.
