- Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise.
- Take your retainers out when eating...and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
- Clean wire retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque and eliminates odors. Efferdent or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used but these do not take the place of brushing.
- Clean clear plastic retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush soap. Toothpaste will make the retainers cloudy. Use warm but not hot water. You can also soak your retainers for 3 minutes in Efferdent or in other orthodontic appliance cleaners, 2-3 times a week.
- When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case. Pets love to chew on them!
- Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing aloud to get used to them faster.
- Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken call us immediately.
- If you have any questions or concerns about your retainers, or your retainers need adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust them yourself.
- Always bring your retainers to your appointments.
- Retainer replacement is expensive...with proper care they will last for years!
- Ask our staff about our in-office retainer insurance.
- Remove retainers when swimming.
- Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, pets, the washing machine, and napkins.
|
