Retainers Tips
It is time to celebrate! Your braces are off, and your teeth are looking fantastic. However, the journey to your perfect smile isn’t over yet. Your orthodontist has custom-made you retainers that will need to be worn per your doctor’s instructions, usually nightly. This important appliance helps maintain the beautiful smile you have worked so hard to achieve. Even though your braces are gone, the retention phase is crucial for ensuring that your teeth stay in their new, ideal positions. Proper care for your retainers is essential in preserving your hard-earned results. If your retainers are not cleaned regularly, dried saliva can build up and cause tartar, which can compromise your healthy, clean smile.
Cleaning Your Retainers
Just like brushing your teeth, cleaning your retainers regularly is a simple yet essential part of your oral hygiene routine. Here are some of the most recommended methods for cleaning your retainer:
Toothbrush and Toothpaste
While brushing your teeth at night, take a moment to clean your retainer as well. A small dab of toothpaste on your retainer and a soft toothbrush will help remove saliva and bacteria that can accumulate throughout the day. Gently scrub your retainer, ensuring that you clean all areas, especially where your retainer makes contact with your teeth. Afterward, set your retainer in a small cup of distilled water, which will help keep it moist and prevent drying out. Doing this daily should help keep your retainer fresh and free from harmful buildup.
Baking Soda
If you feel that toothpaste alone isn’t doing the job, baking soda is a great alternative. It is a natural and gentle abrasive that can help remove stubborn buildup while also neutralizing odors. You can create a paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water, then use a soft brush to gently scrub your retainer. Baking soda is effective in breaking down plaque, and it can also help eliminate any unpleasant smells that may develop on the retainer.
Soaking Solutions
In addition to the above cleaning methods, you may want to use a specialized retainer-cleaning solution. These solutions can be found at most pharmacies and are designed specifically to clean retainers without causing damage. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when using these products. Soaking your retainer for a few minutes can help remove bacteria and tartar that may be hard to reach with a toothbrush.
Cleaning Don’ts
While it is important to keep your retainer clean, there are a few key cleaning mistakes that you should avoid to protect both the retainer and your oral health.
Boiling Your Retainer or Using a Dishwasher
Never boil your retainer or place it in the dishwasher. The extreme heat can warp or shrink your retainer, rendering it useless. Retainers are custom-made to fit the unique contours of your mouth, and any distortion from heat will make the retainer uncomfortable to wear and less effective at maintaining your teeth’s alignment.
Avoid Alcohol-Based Products
Alcohol-based cleaners or mouthwashes should be avoided when cleaning your retainer. These products can dry out the material of your retainer, leading to cracks and weakening its structure. They can also leave behind a residue that may affect your oral health, so it’s best to stick to gentle, non-alcoholic solutions when cleaning your appliance.
Never Use Multi-Purpose Cleaners or Bleach
Multi-purpose cleaners, bleach, and other harsh chemicals should never come into contact with your retainer. These products contain toxins that can damage the metal and acrylic components of the retainer, potentially leading to irritation in your mouth or even harmful health effects. Instead, opt for safe and gentle methods, such as those listed above, to keep your retainer in tip-top shape.
So Long, Farewell…
Not quite! You’ve worked incredibly hard to reach this point, and now that your braces are off, the focus shifts to maintaining the beautiful smile you’ve achieved. Retainers are a crucial part of this process. It’s essential to attend regular retainer checks at Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of Virginia to ensure that your teeth remain in their optimum alignment. These check-ups help ensure that your retainer is still fitting properly and that no changes need to be made to your treatment plan.
If you ever have any questions or concerns about your retainer, or if you need help with cleaning or care for your retainer, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (804) 739-0963. We would love to see you and assist you in maintaining your beautiful smile for years to come. Whether it’s scheduling your next checkup or offering helpful tips for retainer care, our team is here to support you every step of the way!