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Transitioning from Braces to Retainers – What You Need to Know

A young woman tipping her hat while smiling.Congratulations on reaching a major milestone in your orthodontic journey with Burlingame Smile Studio—the day your braces come off! After months or years of dedication, you can finally enjoy the smooth, straight smile you’ve worked so hard to achieve. However, your orthodontic treatment isn’t quite over. The retention phase is a critical next step to maintaining your results, and retainers will play a key role in keeping your teeth aligned.

What to Expect When Getting Your Braces Off

The day your braces are removed is exciting and pain-free. Your orthodontist will gently remove the brackets and wires before cleaning any remaining adhesive from your teeth, leaving you with a smooth, bracket-free smile. While you may feel some mild sensitivity immediately afterward, this usually subsides quickly as your teeth adjust.

Retainers are essential during this phase. After braces, your teeth and jaw tissues are still settling into their new positions. Without retainers, your teeth can gradually shift back, undoing the hard work you’ve put into achieving your smile. Think of retainers as a safeguard for maintaining your results.

Adjusting to Retainers

Wearing retainers may cause mild discomfort or soreness at first, similar to the initial days of wearing braces. This temporary discomfort is a sign that your retainers are effectively holding your teeth in place. Most patients find that the soreness fades within a few days.

You might also notice slight changes in your speech when you start wearing retainers. This adjustment is normal and short-lived. Practice speaking and reading aloud to speed up the process, and soon, talking with retainers will feel completely natural.

Wearing Your Retainers

Initially, you’ll likely need to wear your retainers full-time—day and night—except during meals or certain activities like playing sports. Over time, as your teeth stabilize, you may transition to wearing them only at night. Following your orthodontist’s instructions is crucial to prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original positions.

Consistency is the foundation of a successful retention phase. By committing to wearing your retainers as directed, you can ensure your smile remains aligned for years to come.

Caring for Your Retainers

Proper care extends the life of your retainers and keeps your teeth healthy. Clean your retainers daily by gently brushing them with a soft-bristle toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. For a deeper clean, use a retainer or denture cleaner occasionally.

When not in use, always store your retainers in their protective case to avoid loss or damage. Avoid common mistakes like wrapping them in napkins (which can lead to accidental disposal) or exposing them to heat, which can warp the material. A little extra care goes a long way in preserving your retainers.

Replacing Worn-Out Retainers

Retainers aren’t designed to last forever. Over time, they can wear out, crack, or lose their fit, especially if you grind your teeth. Typically, retainers last a few years before needing replacement. At Burlingame Smile Studio, we make replacing retainers simple and stress-free. Whether yours have worn out or gone missing, we’ll help you get a new set quickly to keep your smile on track.

Long-Term Retention for a Lifetime Smile

Maintaining your results isn’t just about wearing retainers—it’s about adopting healthy habits for overall dental health. Regular check-ups, daily brushing and flossing, and a balanced diet all contribute to the longevity of your smile.

Retention is a lifelong commitment, but the effort is worth it. By staying consistent with wearing and caring for your retainers, you protect the investment you made in your orthodontic treatment. Your future self will thank you for it.

Your Retention Journey with Burlingame Smile Studio

Getting your braces off is an incredible accomplishment—congratulations on this exciting step! As you transition to retainers, know that Burlingame Smile Studio is here to support you. Whether you have questions, need guidance, or want to replace your retainers, our friendly team is ready to help.

Schedule an appointment with us today, and let’s work together to keep your smile beautiful for 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

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