Once your active treatment wraps up and your braces come off, you’ll get a retainer. This kicks off the retention phase, when the retainer holds your teeth in their new spots while your jawbone, gums, and muscles settle in. Wear it exactly as instructed, or your teeth may drift back and you’ll lose the progress your braces made.
When to Wear Your Retainer
Wear your retainer at all times, even while you sleep, with a few exceptions: you can take it out to eat, swim, and play vigorous sports.
Pain and Soreness
A new retainer may make your teeth sore, and your speech might sound a little different for a few days. That’s normal with a new retainer or after an adjustment, and it sorts itself out. If you notice a sore spot on your gums, give us a call so we can adjust the fit.
Cleaning Your Retainer
Brush your retainer daily with toothpaste, and use denture cleaner now and then for a deeper clean. If you have a bonded wire retainer behind your front teeth, clean it carefully when you brush. Don’t boil your retainer to sterilize it. If it needs sterilizing, bring it in and we’ll disinfect it for you.
How to Keep Your Retainer Safe
Because your retainer is removable, you can take it out for meals and cleaning. Be careful not to lose it. Keep it in its case during meals, and never wrap it in a napkin or stash it in your pocket. Keep it away from dogs and cats, who love to chew on these appliances. Please note that there’s an additional charge for lost or broken retainers.
Treatment Time
Retention time varies from patient to patient, and some people need permanent retention to keep their teeth aligned. We’ll go over this as part of your overall treatment plan.
Remember, your retainer only works when you’re wearing it. Give us a call with any questions about using yours.