Congratulations on completing your orthodontic treatment! Now it’s time to ensure that your beautiful new smile lasts for as long as possible. One of the best ways to do this is to wear your retainer as prescribed by your dentist. Here are a few ways to ensure that you’re properly wearing and maintaining it so that your newly straightened teeth stay in perfect alignment for a lifetime!
Always Use Your Retainer Case
When you get your retainer, it will come with its very own storage case. This isn’t just for looks; it’s very important that you store it in this case or one like it when you’re not wearing it. These containers were designed to keep your retainer safe from getting dirty or damaged when not in use. In fact, this is a more common problem than you might think. Many a patient has a story of forgetting to use their case and accidentally losing or throwing away their retainer after storing it on a napkin during meals, and these can help reduce the risk of that happening, too!
Keep it Clean
Once you are done wearing your retainer for the day, be sure to clean it well. You can do this by brushing it gently with a toothbrush and hand soap and then rinsing well with water, or by soaking it in retainer or denture soak and then rinsing. If you have been instructed to wear it round the clock for the first month after treatment, be sure to take it out to clean it when you are cleaning your teeth and then put it back in when you are done. This will not only help keep your retainer clean, but it will also help prevent it from developing foul odors and increasing your risk of cavities and gum disease.
Watch What You Eat
Depending on the type of retainer you have been prescribed, you may need to wear it during meals. If so, check with your dentist to see if there are any foods or beverages you should avoid while wearing it. For Essix retainers, you will most likely be instructed to remove them for meals and beverages because they are not strong enough to chew with, and liquid can become caught inside them and then kept trapped against your teeth, increasing your risk of cavities. Thus, it is best to only drink water with this type of retainer, and brush and floss your teeth before putting them back on following any other food or beverage.
Follow Your Dentist’s Instructions
Finally, for best results with your new retainer, be sure to always follow your dentist’s instructions. While it may be uncomfortable at first, the more you wear it, the less you will notice it. Failing to use it as prescribed can result in your teeth shifting, undoing your gorgeous results and possibly requiring another round of aligners or braces.
Remember, retainers are designed to maintain your orthodontic results. Not wearing them as prescribed could result in your teeth shifting out of alignment and needing another orthodontic treatment. Thus, to ensure that your new smile lasts for as long as possible, follow these tips for wearing and caring for your retainer!
About Our Practice
At One Dental New Jersey, we are proud to offer a variety of orthodontic treatments, including Invisalign and ClearCorrect. If you are unhappy with the appearance of your smile, or would like to correct a bad bite, gaps, or any other alignment issues, you may be a good candidate for one of these treatments.
To find out more about them, and to see if you would be a good candidate for one of these treatments, please schedule a consultation with us today by visiting our website or calling us at 908-409-0881.