3 Healthy Retainer Habits

At Define Orthodontics, we are here to help patients at any stage in their orthodontic journey. This includes patients in need of retainer replacements or repairs. Retainers are an essential part of your orthodontic treatment. The longer you go without wearing your retainer, the more likely it is that your teeth will shift back into their original positions, causing orthodontic relapse. If you currently use a retainer, here are three healthy habits to remember when caring for your oral appliance:

Clean Your Retainer While It’s Still Moist

Cleaning your retainer is essential to retainer wearers. You should clean your retainer as soon as your remove it from your mouth before storing it away in your retainer case. Washing the retainer while it is still moist prevents any of the food residue or bacteria on the residue from hardening to the surface of the retainer. Gently brush your retainer with a soft-bristled brush, avoiding placing it underneath hot water. Retainers should never go in the dishwasher, microwave, or washing machiene.

Keep Up With Your Retainer Case

Your retainer case protects your retainer while it is not in use. It’s important to keep your retainer case nearby at all times just in case you need to remove your retainer. It is unwise to place your retainer on an open surface. Many retainers have been lost because they have been taken out and placed on a lunch tray and then thrown away. Additionally, retainer damages often occur when loose retainers are squished inside a heavy bag or dropped onto the floor. Patients should also wash their retainer case as often as they wash their retainer. Use warm, soapy water on your retainer case to get rid of any germs before placing your retainer inside.

Replace Your Retainer if Lost or Broken

It’s important to replace your retainer if it is lost or broken. Sometimes, patients will decide to abandon their retainers when they lose or break them. However, we want to encourage our patients to wear their retainers as much and as long as possible to prevent teeth shifting and orthodontic relapse. Some patients may even need to wear their retainers at night indefinitely to keep their teeth in place. If you need a new retainer, our office is happy to provide replacement retainers even if you did not complete the entirety of your orthodontic treatment with us. We have access to the state-of-the-art equipment necessary to make you a retainer that will keep your smile perfectly straight.