Hi everyone! Josslyn here at 303 Smiles in Greenwood Village, Colorado, and today I want to talk about your retainers. When you completed your braces or Invisalign treatment, you were given a set of retainers that you will need to wear to keep your teeth from moving back out of alignment. To help keep your new smile in tip-top shape, here are four tips for wearing your retainers after treatment:
1. Wear your retainers as directed
Dr. Straffon will always tell you that if you want to go back into treatment, don’t wear your retainers. You will need to wear your retainers full-time for the first three months after treatment. At that point, we’ll be able to tell you if you need to continue wearing them full-time or if you can switch to nighttime wear. It is super important that you wear your retainers as directed so that you can keep your new smile looking great.
2. Be aware of any change in how your retainers fit
Your retainers should fit snugly and comfortably. If you notice that they are starting to fit really tightly over your teeth, it is likely that your teeth are trying to move. If this happens, just go back to wearing your retainer full-time.
3. Keep your retainers clean
Retainers and other orthodontic appliances can be breeding grounds for bacteria that can cause bad breath, gingivitis, and plaque buildup that can lead to cavities. That’s why it is so important that you keep your retainers clean. There are several effective ways to clean your retainers but one of the simplest is to use a foaming hand soap and give your retainer a good scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
4. Store your retainers properly
When you aren’t wearing your retainers, you want to make sure that you are storing them on the model and in the case that we provided for you. Keep them safe in a cool, dry place. You definitely don’t want to leave them in the sun or on the dashboard of your car. The plastic can warp and melt from the heat and then your retainers won’t fit you anymore.
I hope you find these tips for wearing your retainers to be helpful. If you have any questions about your retainers, please email us or give us a call and we’ll be happy to help you.
Dr. Derek Straffon and the team at 303 Smiles proudly serve the Greenwood Village community and surrounding areas, including Cherry Hills and Centennial, Colorado. We offer a range of treatment options including several types of braces as well as Invisalign clear aligners.