Retainer Wear and Care

Wearing Your Retainer

• Wear your retainer at all times, until the doctor instructs otherwise.
• Take your retainer out when eating, and always put it back in its case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunchrooms or restaurants.)
• Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to it faster.

Caring for Your Retainer

• Clean your retainer thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and hand soap. 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.
• When your retainer is not in your mouth, it should ALWAYS be in its case. Pets love to chew on them!
• Retainers are breakable, so treat yours with care. If your retainer gets lost or broken, call us immediately.
• Always bring your retainer to your appointments.
• Retainer replacements are expensive, but with proper care, they will last for years!
• Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.
• If you have any questions or concerns about your retainer, or you believe it needs adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust it yourself.