Congratulations! You have finally gotten your dental braces removed and now is the time to welcome your new dental retainers. For those who don’t know, dental retainers are used to maintain the straightness of your teeth after braces. Just like braces, retainers play a crucial role in improving oral health. Retainers can hold your teeth in place and prevent them from shifting back to their original position. In this blog post, we will share some essential guidelines that will help you take care of your dental retainers, and come visit Dr. April Lee with any questions at Burlingame Smile Studio in Burlingame, CA.
Wear Your Retainer Regularly
Your orthodontist will advise you on how often and how long you should wear your retainer. Typically, retainer wear time depends on the severity of your initial dental condition. Some dentists advise wearing retainers only at night, while others will recommend wearing them throughout the day. Never forget to follow your orthodontist’s instructions and wear your retainer as advised.
Proper Cleaning
Brush your retainer with toothpaste at least once a day to keep it clean. Avoid using hot water or denture cleaning solutions as these can cause damage to the retainer. Also, be mindful of using too much pressure when brushing to prevent warping or breaking.
Keep Them Safe
Always keep the retainer in its case when not wearing it. This prevents it from collecting dirt or being thrown out inadvertently. Also, keep your retainer away from pets, as they may damage or play with it.
Don’t Chew with Your Retainer
It is important to remove your retainer before eating or drinking anything other than water. Chewing with your retainer can bend it out of shape, cause more wear and tear, or even break.
Replace Your Retainer
Over time, retainers wear down, and may no longer fit your teeth properly. Your orthodontist will guide you on when to replace your retainer. However, some signs, such as small cracks, discolorations, or unusual odors, indicate the need for replacement.
Properly taking care of your dental retainers is essential to maintaining the straightness of your teeth post-braces. Wear your retainer as directed, clean it regularly, keep it safe, avoid chewing with it, and replace it when necessary. Remember, people can develop different oral health issues if they do not take care of their dental retainers properly. Finally, if you have any problems or questions, be sure to contact your orthodontist immediately. Follow these guidelines, and you’ll enjoy your beautiful smile for many years to come!
Contact Dr. April Lee at Burlingame Smile Studio we serve Burlingame, CA, Hillsborough, and Millbrae.
(650) 231-2680
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1740 Marco Polo Way Ste 12
Burlingame, California
94010
