Retainer Instructions

Retainers should be worn at all times, including sleeping, unless you have been specifically instructed otherwise. If you are not wearing your retainer for a period of time it should be placed in the case for safekeeping. If you are eating and do not have the case with you, you should eat with your retainer in your mouth.

Do not wear your retainer when playing contact sports and swimming.

You will experience a little difficulty in speaking for a few days. Our recommendation is to practice speaking with the retainer in your mouth. Your speech will return to normal.

After each meal, take out your retainer and wash it as best as you can. Use your toothbrush and toothpaste to brush all surfaces of the appliance, then rinse with cool water. Never rinse your retainer in hot water.

If your retainer picks up flavors or odors from foods you may soak it in mouthwash or use cleaning tablets.

Retainer Brite Instructions: ONCE A WEEK OR ONCE A MONTH ONLY!!

1. Drop one tablet into warm water
2. Place appliance in blue solution
3. Leave appliance in solution for 3-5 minutes only
4. Rinse appliance thoroughly

Retainers should be either in your mouth or in the case we have given you. Never wrap them in a napkin or place them inside a backpack or purse. Never put your retainers in your pocket!!! They will break!

Most common reasons for lost or broken retainers/appliances:

1. Wrapped in napkin and accidently thrown away.
2. Dog ate it (really)!!
3. Retainer in pocket-can crack in half or fall out and be lost.
4. Retainer went through the wash cycle and melted from heat of washer/dryer.

Retainers are an integral part of orthodontic therapy. Since facial growth continues for a prolonged period of time, it is recommended that retainers be worn as long as possible.

If the retainers are lost or broken a replacement or repair fee will be assessed.

 

Bonded Lingual Retainer

If we have placed a glued wire behind your lower front teeth this will be your permanent retainer. We place this type of retainer to reduce the possibility of relapse. If you decide to have this retainer removed, we will recommend that a removable retainer be made in order to maintain the position of the teeth.

Foods to avoid:

Hard, sticky and very chewy foods should be avoided. It is acceptable to eat them if you can cut them into small pieces.

DO NOT BITE INTO APPLES, CARROTS, CELERY, NUTS, PIZZA CRUST and other hard foods. Although the wire is glued in, it can still break. If the wire and/or glue breaks your teeth could shift. Please be very careful and be vigilant about what you eat.

We have shown you how to floss with the floss threader and special floss. Please follow our instructions carefully to avoid any periodontal (gum) disease or caries. If we (or your general dentist) find that you are unable to maintain good oral hygiene with the bonded retainer we may remove it and give you a removable retainer

If the wire and /or glue are broken or loose please call the office as soon as possible. We will try to get a sense of what is broken on the phone since the time needed to repair it can vary greatly. Please be advised that repairs and remakes of the permanent retainer will incur a charge.

You have worked very hard for your beautiful smile, please be careful with your retainers!!!

If you have any questions concerning retainer wear or other orthodontics needs, please contact the office. We would like to remind you to schedule regular checkup visits with your child’s/your pediatric or general dentist.