Learn how to care for your retainers. Maintain your orthodontic results with proper retainer maintenance.
Retainers are custom-made devices you wear over your teeth to align them after braces treatment. Braces straighten your teeth, but they are not fully firm in their new position because your gums, bones, and muscles are not used to the change. Retainers Leander help maintain your teeth in the correct position. You can have fixed or removable retainers. Your dentist can recommend you have both types to make your alignment last for many years. Ensure you follow your dentist’s recommendations for the best functioning of your retainers. The following tips can help you care for your retainers for effective results.
Watch what you eat
If your retainers are removable, take them out when taking meals. If you have fixed retainers bonded to your teeth, watch the type of foods you eat. Some food types can damage your retainers, including hard or crunchy foods and sticky snacks like candies. Avoid sweets and soda as they may cause tooth decay. Also, reduce consumption of high-acidic foods and drinks.
Wear your retainers appropriately
Dentists recommend you wear your retainers twenty-four hours a day. You should only remove them when brushing or flossing your teeth, cleaning them, or participating in sports. Wearing retainers ensures they produce effective results and do not become damaged or lost.
Clean your retainers daily
Like your natural teeth, you must clean your retainers daily. You can use a small amount of toothpaste during cleaning. You can also soak them in mouthwash for some minutes after cleaning them. Ensure you rinse your retainers after every meal to help fight odor and prevent plaque buildup. If your retainers are fixed, you can floss them using threaders.
Keep your retainers moisturized
Retainers dry out quickly if you do not keep them moisturized. When wearing them, they receive enough moisture because your mouth is naturally wet. Keep your retainers moisturized to prevent drying out or damage when you are not wearing them. You can soak your retainers in cool water or special liquids.
Visit your dentist regularly
Like other dental treatments, ensure you do not miss follow-up visits to your dentist. During these appointments, your dentist checks if your retainers still fit or need adjustments. Your dentist checks if your retainers are working appropriately. Always carry your retainers every time you visit your dentist, even if it is not a follow-up appointment.
Keep your retainers away from heat
Avoid storing your retainers in an area with extreme heat exposure. Heat melts or warps plastic materials. Do not keep your retainers in the car, near the stove or any heat source, in boiling or hot water, and do not expose them to direct sunlight.
Be patient with the treatment
In the first days of your treatment, you may experience effects like extra saliva, slurred speech, and discomfort with the snug fit. Be patient with the treatment as these effects fade and normalize after a few days. Being patient will encourage you to take care of retainers, leading to effective treatment.
Retainers are custom-made devices you wear over your teeth to align them after braces treatment. Maintaining your retainers in good condition and wearing them as recommended by your dentist leads to excellent results. Schedule an appointment at Pendleton Orthodontics for retainer placement to align your teeth.
