Congratulations! You’ve made it through the tedious months of dealing with braces. In the excitement of having your orthodontic treatment concluded, it’s easy to overlook the long-term importance of regularly wearing your retainer. Retainers are plastic-like trays made of moulded replicas to fit your exact bite.
Braces make your teeth straight, but the retainer helps keep them straight and prevents them from moving back to their previous position. It may sound strange, but your teeth continue to shift around in your mouth all your life, despite having braces or aligners.
The best way to ensure your newly straightened teeth stay in position is to build regular retainer use into your dental hygiene routine, and your SKS team is here to help you do exactly that.
How Long Do I Have to Wear My Retainer For?
In reality, having braces themselves is only the first half of the journey. The more difficult part is remembering to wear your retainer every night afterwards. This will vary on your specific needs, but it’s recommended that you wear your retainer every single night for at least 9-12 months after treatment is completed.
After this amount of time, you may be able to cut down to wearing it every other night or a few times per week. Regardless, orthodontists everywhere still recommend retainer use for a lifetime after having braces – especially to prevent relapse and having to get braces again.
Putting your retainers in every night after brushing and flossing your teeth is the usual routine we encourage for patients to keep their newfound smiles looking good.
In addition to maintaining your smile, retainers contribute to your overall dental health. They assist in the final stages of adjusting your bite by providing additional support and stability while the bone holding teeth in place can rebuild after so much movement.
What Happens if My Retainer Breaks or Gets Lost?
If your retainer cracks or gets damaged, give us a call as soon as possible to get it replaced. You can go a few days or weeks without wearing it, but your teeth may shift slightly.
Getting back to wearing a properly fitted set can be a bit uncomfortable at first as your teeth re-adjust, but it’s crucial to act before they shift so much that orthodontic treatment will have to be repeated.
Always remember to keep your retainer out of reach of pets, never place it near heat, in boiling water, or leave it in a hot car – and make sure to place it back into its case when not in use.
You should also never eat or drink (except for water) when your retainer is in your mouth, as liquids can seep into the plastic and be held against the teeth, risking tooth decay.
How Do I Take Care of My Retainer?
It’s very important to keep your retainer clean and properly care for it throughout daily use. Methods like gently scrubbing with baking soda and a soft toothbrush can effectively clean any buildup and discolouration away from the retainers.
You can also rinse and brush your retainer with warm water and antibacterial soap – some toothpaste, as well as any sort of cleaner with bleach or alcohol in it, is not recommended due to the harshness of the products damaging and drying the plastic out. You can also soak your retainer in a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and warm water for about 15 minutes weekly to keep it looking brand new.
Questions? SKS is Happy to Help!
Embracing the habit of wearing your retainer is the key to maintaining the success of your orthodontic journey, and preserving the investment in your radiant new smile. If you or your child have any additional questions about retainers and ensuring they fit properly, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today!
