Retainer Instructions
- Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise.
- Take your retainers out when eating and always put retainers in
their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
- Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and soap or dish detergent. Rinse thoroughly with water afterward. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors. Efferdent® or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used, but do not take the place of brushing.
- For a more thorough cleaning to remove white calcium deposits, mix a solution of 1 part white distilled vinegar with 1 part water. Soak the retainer in the solution for several hours or overnight. Remove the retainer and gently scrape the softened calcium deposits off with a wooden toothpick or a dental pick. Rinse thoroughly with water. For best results, soak at least twice a week.
- When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case. Pets love to chew on them!
- Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to them faster.
- Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken call us immediately.
- If you have any questions or concerns about your retainers, or your retainers need adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust them yourself.
- Always bring your retainers to your appointments.
- Retainer replacement is expensive. With proper care they will last for years!
- Remove retainers when swimming.
- Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.
