How to Best Care for Your Retainer

If you’ve learned that it’s finally time for your braces to come off, you’re probably excited to check out the new straightened smile you’ve spent so much time and money working on. But even once all that metal hardware is gone, you have one last step in your orthodontic treatment: wearing a retainer. 

Braces apply gentle but steady pressure to straighten your teeth, align your jaw, and retrain your mouth muscles. Once your teeth have arrived at their new positions, the braces come off, but they still need time to set into place firmly. You should wear a retainer to keep your teeth from moving to where they were.

Retainers are much more comfortable and convenient to take care of, but you still need to be vigilant about caring for yours to make them last. 

In this month’s blog, our team, led by Nodesh Shyamsunder, BDS, and Jasleen Raina, DDS, at Beaches Dentistry in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, offers practical ways you can care for your retainer. 

Why caring for your retainer is so important

Brushing your teeth twice daily is vital for oral health because it prevents the build-up of potentially damaging bacteria and plaque. When bacteria and plaque are allowed to collect, it can lead to oral health issues such as cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. 

Your retainer sits right up against your teeth, so it’s easy for all that bacteria and plaque to build up and then harden on the orthodontic appliance. If you never take the time to clean your retainer, when you put it on, it’s like applying a liberal layer of bacteria and plaque-filled solution right on your teeth and gums. 

Tips for effective retainer care

When you clean and care for your retainer precisely, you protect the appliance and ensure your mouth stays healthy. Follow these guidelines for optimal oral health and retainer durability:

• Always clean your retainer as soon as you take it out of your mouth
• Use a separate toothbrush for your retainer only
• Brush your retainer with a solution that’s equal parts water and baking soda
• Try out a cotton swab for hard-to-reach areas
• Use a denture cleaner every few weeks for a deep cleanse

You never want to use hot water, regular toothpaste, alcohol, or bleach on your retainer because it could damage or warp it, making it impossible to wear. And when you can’t wear it, you risk the possibility of your teeth shifting. 

Our team can recommend professional cleaning solutions if you have issues with hard-to-clean spots.

To learn more about proper retainer care, schedule a consultation with our team by calling our office or using our online booking feature today.