Orthodontic patients have spent months and sometimes years in braces or Invisalign so they don’t always look forward to wearing a retainer every night, let alone take care of it. However, as every orthodontist will testify, retainers are the essential final piece of orthodontic treatment, and if you want this appliance to work correctly you must clean your retainer regularly to keep your teeth and alignment in great shape.
Invisalign-Wearers Keep On Keeping On
Invisalign-wearers should find wearing a retainer a simple transition. You succeeded in adjusting to wearing clear trays on upper and lower teeth and cleaning them daily as instructed – especially after meals and before bed and upon waking. Just keep on doing the same work and adjust cleaning methods per orthodontic recommendations.
Braces-Wearers Embrace the New
Braces-wearers are in a new world with a retainer. After being attached to brackets and wires for so long, there is now a freedom to have smooth, unencumbered teeth. Don’t let this discourage you from wearing the retainer as instructed – you are likely to find retainer care refreshingly easy after the work that needed to be done to clean in and around brackets and wires
A Clean Retainer Means Clean Teeth
A retainer lives snugly against tooth enamel. When the appliance is thoroughly cleaned and fresh, its presence in your mouth overnight will not cause any problems. Difficulties occur, though, when there is not enough oral hygiene happening before the retainer is worn.
Always floss and brush teeth thoroughly before putting the retainer in place. When teeth are clean and the retainer is clean, there is a far lower likelihood of plaque, bacteria, and food particles getting stuck in between and eventually leading to cavities.
Best Practices to Clean Your Retainer
Your orthodontist will provide recommendations of best practices to clean your retainer based on their preferences for cleaning crystals, tablets, or solutions. You have options and can select what works best for your lifestyle and budget but take your orthodontist’s suggestions to heart. They offer targeted tips based on the kind of retainer you wear and the health of your teeth.
Here are general suggestions to clean your retainer after you remove it and before you put it in place:
- Every time you remove the retainer, rinse it under lukewarm water (never hot water) to remove saliva build-up.
- Brush the retainer gently with a clean toothbrush.
- Avoid using toothpaste, mouthwash, or other abrasive dental cleaning products that could discolor or scratch the retainer.
- Soak the retainer weekly with a natural cleansing mix or an over-the-counter soaking tablet.
- Store the retainer safely in its case when it is not being worn.
- Clean the case every week too when you soak the retainer.
Your orthodontist is prepared to help each patient through every step of orthodontic treatment. From expander to brackets, Invisalign to retainers, each piece of the process is essential. Taking care of your retainer is too. Get tips and support from Soleil Orthodontics in Woodinville, WA. Contact us to schedule an appointment or ask questions.
