It’s freedom time! Sort of…

It’s finally time! You’ve been sporting braces for 6 months, 1 year, or even 2 years, and are beyond ready to get them off and have a taste of freedom! But then you remember. . . you have to wear a retainer.

Though it can be irritating, taking care of your freshly straightened teeth is worth it. You don’t want to go through all of that effort to get your teeth in line, only to abandon them when they need you the most! Wearing your retainer as your orthodontist or dentist recommends will keep your smile in tip-top shape.

What are retainers?

After removing your braces, your dentist or orthodontist will give you a custom-made retainer. This device is crucial to keeping your teeth right where you want them. After all, you just spent all of that time and effort getting your teeth nice and straight. You certainly don’t want them traveling right back to where they were before.

How long you wear your retainer depends on your specific dentist or orthodontist. It’s common to wear the retainer for at least 12 months after your braces are removed. Frequently, it’ll be suggested that you wear it for 12–23 hours a day.

What kinds of retainers are there?

When you think of retainers, you might think of those plastic trays that your parents used to abandon on their nightstands. But those aren’t the only options!

That classic, clear retainers are called a Clear Essix retainer.

Another option is the Hawley retainers. These are made of a hard material, with a wire that goes around the sides of your teeth.

There are permanent or fixed retainers as well! These are custom fitted and bonded to the inside of your teeth.

How do you take care of retainers?

It is essential to be sure you are taking good care of your retainer. If you don’t keep it nice and clean, it creates the perfect place for bacteria to grow inside. This makes it where your retainer could start to smell, or even taste bad. As you can imagine, this bacteria build-up can make you sick, or even accelerate tooth decay.

Regular cleaning tips for removable retainers.

But how should you clean retainers? There are many different ways! Be sure to experiment with the different techniques and see what works best for you and your schedule.

You can brush retainers just like you do your teeth—just not with toothpaste. When you brush your teeth, just rinse out the retainer and then use a separate, soft toothbrush to give it a quick brushing to get any hiding food particles out of there. If you want to add some soap to the mix, you can use gentle dish soap.

An alternative to brushing the retainer with a toothbrush is to use a cotton swab. Depending on the kind of retainer you have, this could be a slightly more gentle option.

Remember to always rinse out your retainer before you place it back in your mouth. You want to ensure there isn’t anything hiding in there that could cause damage to your teeth!

When you get your retainer, be sure to ask your dentist for any cleaning suggestions. That way you will know if there are any specific instructions for the kind of retainer you have.

Deep cleaning tips for removable retainers.

As with everything else, removable retainers can sometimes use a thorough deep cleaning. Be sure to ask your dentist about this, as they will be able to tell you what will work best with your specific kind of retainer.

One effective way to deep clean your retainer is to create a baking soda bath. Just mix some baking soda with water, and let the retainer have a nice soak. If yours has metal pieces, you don’t want to do this too long, as the baking soda can erode the metal over time.

Did you know you can use denture cleaners to deep clean your retainer? Just rinse it out, then put it in a small bowl with the denture cleaner. You can soak it for 20 minutes, then rinse it again, and then soak it in some nonalcoholic mouthwash.

Caring for fixed retainers.

As you can’t remove fixed retainers, you can’t exactly put them in a tub of solution and deep clean them. But you can brush and floss them along with your regular teeth. When it comes to deep cleaning, be sure you follow up with your dentist or orthodontist to make sure everything looks good.

Extra Tips!

Be sure to store your retainer properly—not in the open on your bedside table. Remember that if you take care of your retainer, it will be able to take care of you!

When cleaning your retainer, don’t boil it! The hot water can harm the hard plastics that make up your retainer. Also, don’t bleach it or use toothpaste on it. These can cause lasting damage! Try to stick to recommended cleaners, whether they are made specifically for retainers, or were suggested by your dentist or orthodontist.

Check-Ups?

Keeping your regular dentist appointments is the first line of defense against tooth decay or any other problems that could arise. Even though the braces are gone, your dentist will be able to make sure nothing is shifting out of place again. They will also answer any questions you might have about your retainer, whether you don’t know if you’re wearing it long enough, or if you need some help with cleaning it.

Remember that your dentist has heard it all! Never be afraid to ask them any questions you might have.

It is always important to remember that your retainer will take care of your teeth, as long as you take care of it. Keep up with those regularly scheduled dentist appointments, and keep that retainer clean!

If you have any questions or need to get on the schedule, don’t hesitate to make an appointment! We’d love to keep your smile shining bright.