4 Maintenance Tips for Taking Care of Your Retainer

You’ve finished your orthodontic treatment – awesome! But just as you were celebrating not having clear aligners or metal braces to worry about, your orthodontist handed you something called a “retainer.” What are you supposed to do with it?

A retainer will help you avoid needing retreatment by making sure your teeth stay in their new positions. Besides wearing it as instructed, you’ll have to take good care of it so it can do its job! Follow these 4 maintenance tips, and you’ll be a pro in no time.

1.     Don’t Eat with Your Retainer

If you try to eat with your retainer still in your mouth, you could end up trapping leftover food particles and bacteria between the plastic and your teeth. While it’s not exactly fragile, chomping down on something hard could also damage or warp your retainer. Finally, it’ll start to match the color of the foods you eat, which, over time, starts to look and taste pretty gross.

2.     Rinse and Brush Regularly

You might not be eating with it, but your retainer will still need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Give it a good rinse before putting it in your mouth and after removing it from your teeth, and set aside some time in the morning or at night to brush it with toothpaste. This way, your retainer won’t harbor harmful bacteria – or icky flavors and odors!

3.     Don’t Soak It in Bleach or Boiling Water

Two things you should absolutely not clean your retainer with are bleach and boiling water. Bleach, alcohol-based products, and other harsh chemicals can damage your retainer (and your mouth, for that matter). Lava-hot water, meanwhile, will melt or warp the plastic, and you’ll soon be in need of a replacement.

4.     Visit Your Orthodontist for Replacements

Unless you melt your retainer, it should last for several years. That said, it can experience wear and tear over time, particularly if you have a bad habit of grinding your teeth. When it starts to look ragged or doesn’t fit quite as well as it used to, it’s time to visit your orthodontist for a replacement.

Overall, taking good care of your retainer isn’t that different from taking care of your teeth. Keep it clean and take steps to avoid breaking it, and you’ll be good to go!

About the Practice

Arlington Heights Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry is fortunate enough to have two orthodontists and two pediatric dentists on staff. We can help patients of all ages take good care of their retainers – and their natural teeth! To contact our friendly team with any questions or concerns, please call our office at 847-255-3020.