Retainers are essential to maintaining your smile.
To honour your new look, it’s imperative you use the retainer for the full period of time that has been determined by your orthodontist. If you don’t use your retainer correctly, your teeth will eventually return to their original shape, which is why it’s so important to look after your mouthguard properly.
Here, we run through the essential elements of retainer maintenance and how best to maintain your perfect teeth, once your braces have been removed.
Wear it!
The best and easiest way to keep your retainer in optimum condition is to wear it regularly. The longer you go without wearing your retainer, the less likely it will fit again when you go to put it back in. The more frequently you wear it, the more comfortable it will become, adapting your teeth to a set mould that your mouth will become evermore adjusted to.
Avoid Heat
Heat can alter the shape and strength of your retainer, warping it from its original mould, just enough for it to no longer fit in your mouth. Avoid leaving your retainer in a warm environment, such as in direct sunlight, on a windowsill, or in a hot car. Never place your retainer in hot water, it will not clean it, it will simply ruin its shape.
Soak
Using cold water, it’s worth soaking your retainer to aid the cleaning process. Retainer cleaner is available from most dentist practices and comes primarily in tablet form. You can also make your own cleaning solution by mixing 1 part of sodium hypochlorite with ten parts of water. In either case, soak your retainer for 5-10 minutes, and it should come back perfectly clean.
Clean
Carefully scrub your retainer with a toothbrush and water after each use. Avoid brushing the retainer with toothpaste, as this can often cause scratches that will make it difficult to keep your retainer clean. Aside from that, it’s vital you clean your teeth before and after using your retainer, to avoid staining your teeth in the long term. Placing a retainer over dirty teeth will degrade your retainer much more quickly.
Replace
Eventually, even the most cared for and well-made retainers will wear out and need replacing. If you find that your retainer is deteriorating or behaving differently, contact your orthodontist. Replacing your retainer as soon as it needs doing is an important part of maintaining your smile.
At Manor Road Dental Practice Ltd., we offer expert dental care in Swansea. Our practise is conveniently located in Swansea’s central Manselton area; our experts are proud to offer a range of oral health, dental and aesthetic services. To learn more about us, visit our website.