- For the first six months, wear your retainer at all times except when eating, brushing or doing sports (including heavy exercise and swimming). After six months most people can go to night time wear.
- To keep your retainer clean, brush it daily with a non-whitening toothpaste. If further cleaning is needed you can soak your retainer once a week in retainer cleaner (Fresh Guard/Kleenite). Or, a 50/50 solution of distilled white vinegar and water for 10 minutes once a week also works well. DO NOT soak your retainer in mouthwash, alcohol, boiling water or wash it in the dishwasher.
- After an illness, brush your retainer with antibacterial soap and rinse well. Then discard the toothbrush.
- We are providing you with a hard plastic case to protect your retainer when you are not wearing it. Always put your retainer in its case to avoid accidentally throwing it away in a napkin or damaging it. Also, your pocket is not a safe place to store your retainer. Many retainers have been broken from being placed there. Please call our office if you need an extra case.
- Dogs/cats like to chew retainers! Remember that your dog/cat can’t chew your retainer if it is in your mouth or your retainer case.
- Do not flip your retainer in and out with your tongue since this could weaken the plastic and eventually cause breakage or poor fit.
- Please call for an appointment as soon as possible if you cannot wear your retainer for any reason.
- If you do need a new retainer we must make a new impression for the replacement to be made. There will be a fee for any new or repaired retainer.
- Wearing your retainer properly will maintain the alignment of your teeth. SHIFTING WILL RESULT IF RETAINERS ARE NOT WORN CONSISTENTLY. Please wear your retainer as instructed.