Taking care of your retainer and your teeth isn’t difficult, but there are some very important things to remember. Check out some basic retainer reminders below!

Sounds simple, but the most important tip is to actually wear your retainers! Just like every patient has a different treatment plan for braces, no two retainers or follow-up plan are exactly the same. Dr. Jolley will tell you exactly when and how often to wear your retainers. It’s important that you follow instructions closely! Teeth naturally shift over time and your retainer will serve as a guide to keeping your teeth in their ideal position. But, it doesn’t work if you are not consistently wearing them!

Retainers are frequently lost or damaged. Make sure to always keep your retainer in its case. It also helps to have a designated spot to keep it when it’s not in your mouth. That way, it’s less likely to get lost. Never put your retainer in your pocket. We see lots of retainers that have been broken from being sat on or even melted from accidentally going through the washer and dryer. Last, but not least, keep retainers away from pets. You’d be surprised how many retainers have been mistaken for chew toys!

The key to making sure your retainer lasts a long time is keeping it clean. It also helps to keep gross bacteria from building up and then going in your mouth! We recommend cleaning your retainer at the same time that you brush your teeth. Twice a day, use mild soap and water to clean it with a soft-bristled toothbrush. If you see little white spots start to form, it means that calcium deposits are starting to build up. Call us and we can recommend a cleaner that is specially made for retainers. Some people might be tempted to use denture cleaners, but that’s a bad idea. Let us know, and we’ll give you some simple instructions. Lastly, never boil your retainer or immerse it in super-hot water. This can cause the plastic to warp and make it not fit properly.

Any time that you have a question about your retainers – reach out! Just because you may not be coming into the office anymore, doesn’t mean we’re not here for you. Let our team know if you need any help or feel like your retainer isn’t fitting properly anymore. We’ve got your back!