Why do I need a retainer?
Without a retainer, your teeth will try to go back to their previous position, and that’s clearly not part of the plan. Your retainer is designed to hold your teeth in their new position. Your teeth may have moved, but your gums and jaw bones still need to adapt to the new position of your teeth.
To get to this point, you must have done well with your treatment. This is the important final step towards maintaining your perfect smile.
Wear & Care
Unless we give you special instructions, you will need to wear your new retainer at all times except when you eat, swim, or play contact sports. You may find it a bit weird speaking when you first get your retainer. Don’t worry, your speech will be fine in a couple of days, just like when you first got your braces.
We have given you a protective case. Please make sure that you keep your retainer in the case when you are not wearing it. Retainers have a habit of falling out of bags and pockets, falling from trams, and being chewed by dogs.
Your retainer plate is fragile. Treat it with care. Please place the retainer carefully with your fingers and ensure that it is firmly seated. Biting your retainer into position and clicking it up and down with your tongue will almost certainly cause it to fracture. Retainers are hand made and expensive to replace.
If you have a bonded retainer (that is stuck to your teeth), please avoid eating any hard or sticky foods with your front teeth as this may cause it break or become dislodged. If this occurs, you will need to contact us to have it repaired.
Cleaning
Brush your retainer plate morning and night (on both sides) with the special brush you have been given. Hold it near the bottom of the basin when brushing. That way, if you drop it, it won’t have far to fall and is less likely to break.
Please do not place your retainer in hot water to clean as it will buckle and warp. A brush and toothpaste are all that is required, or you can soak it in water with a denture cleaning tablet first.
Never forget to give your teeth and gums a good brush morning and night as well, and now would be a great time to visit your family dentist for a check-up.
If you have any problems, call us as soon as possible so that we can assist you in maintaining your new smile.
