- Wear your retainers full time, even when sleeping, until Dr. Graber instructs otherwise.
- Glued-in, behind the teeth retainers can be flossed and brushed when cleaning your teeth. Our orthodontic team will show you how to care for your glued-in retainer(s).
- Take your retainers out when eating… and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants).
- Clean metal and plastic retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Clear retainers can be cleaned with Q-Tip and soft soap. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors. Efferdent or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used, but do not take the place of brushing. Limit soaking to 15 minutes and do not soak in Listerine.
- When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case. Pets love to chew on them!
- Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to them faster.
- Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken call us immediately.
- If you have any questions or concerns about your retainers, or your retainers need adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust them yourself.
- Always bring your retainers to your appointments.
- Retainer replacement is expensive... with proper care they will last for years!
- Remove retainers when swimming and place them in their protective case.
- Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.
- Removable retainers should be placed in their protective case when playing contact sports requiring a mouthguard. After practice or the game, put your retainer back into your mouth as recommended.
