Retainer Care

After your orthodontic treatment is complete, you will need to wear retainers to ensure that your teeth do not revert to their original position. Below we’ll review the recommendations for keeping your retainers clean and safe.

Cleaning Your Retainers

In the same fashion that your teeth need to be cleaned regularly, your retainers have the same requirement. A good rule to follow is to never place your retainers in their case or your mouth without properly cleaning them first.

You can eliminate bacteria and plaque buildup from your retainers by establishing and following a regular cleaning routine. This will help prevent the development of tooth decay and gum disease with the added benefit of keeping your breath fresh.

The best time to clean your retainers is as soon as you remove them from your mouth, in this moment, the plaque and debris have not hardened and will be easier to remove. Clean your retainers using a soft-bristle toothbrush and warm, soapy water. Be sure to fully rinse them before putting them back in your mouth or their case.

We do not recommend using toothpaste because it is an abrasive substance that can scratch your retainer and bacteria can live and multiply in these scratches.

Helpful Tips:

• Keep your retainers safe by placing them in their case whenever you take them out of your mouth
• Always carry a retainer case with you
• Never wrap your retainers in a napkin – it’s too easy to miss them and throw them away
• Keep your retainers out of the reach of pets and small children
• Avoid heat – your retainers can become deformed if they’re left on or near a heater, hot stove, or in a hot car
• Keep your retainers clean
• If you have a problem with your retainers, call us right away. This includes damage or loss of your retainer.