Retainer Instructions

retainers
  • Wear your retainer full-time until the doctor tells you otherwise.
  • Remove your retainer when you eat, and always put it back in its case! (Most appliances get lost in school lunchrooms and restaurants.)
  • Clean your retainer thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste, using warm, not hot, water. Brushing removes plaque and gets rid of odors. Efferdent® and other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used, but they don’t replace brushing.
  • Whenever your retainer is out of your mouth, it should ALWAYS be in its case. Pets love to chew on them!
  • At first, talking may feel a little tricky. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to adjust faster.
  • Retainers can break, so handle yours with care. If your retainer is lost or broken, call us right away.
  • If you have questions or concerns about your retainer, or think it needs an adjustment, give us a call. Please don’t try to adjust it yourself.
  • Always bring your retainer to your appointments.
  • Replacement retainers are expensive, but with proper care, yours will last for years!
  • Take your retainer out when you go swimming.
  • Keep your retainer away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.