Retainers After Braces

Purpose: The retainers are important to hold the teeth after braces are removed. New bone and supporting fibers of the teeth are being completed for the new tooth positions.

Time of Use: The retainers should be worn 12 hours per day for the first year.  We suggest nighttime as the best time to wear your retainers.  When worn during the night they are kept at home and have less chance of being lost.

Care: To keep your retainers fresh and clean, scrub them before putting them in their case. Use warm or cool water and a clean toothbrush (no toothpaste as it will leave a residue). Extremely hot water will warp the retainers. Another choice is to use a denture cleaner or Listerine. Soaking in denture cleaner or brushing with Listerine will decrease bacteria and give your retainer a fresh taste.

Adapting: Most people get used to mouth retainers within a day or two. At first there may be a new plastic taste and you may have extra saliva in your mouth. Reading aloud the first day will help your speech adapt. The habit of flipping a  retainer in and out with your tongue will loosen the  retainer and may break the  plastic.

Visits: Upon completion of orthodontic treatment, you will be checked periodically with visits to our office. Bring the retainer to your visits. If the  retainer does not fit or if there is any tissue soreness, call us for an appointment as soon as possible.

Breakage/Loss: The common habit of flipping the retainers in and out with your tongue will make it become loose and can introduce stresses in the plastic which will result in breakage. Eating and grinding can also cause holes, cracks or breaks in your retainer.  Please call immediately if any of these occur.

Relapse: Failure to use retainers regularly may result in unfavorable tooth movement. If brought to our attention early it may be corrected with another retainer. If not caught early, retreatment with braces may be necessary.