Always wear your retainer as instructed to prevent your teeth from shifting. Please follow these guidelines:
- Unless otherwise instructed, your retainer should be worn at all times, except during mealtime and when you are brushing.
- Never chew gum with your retainer in your mouth.
- Any time your retainer is not in your mouth, it should be in its retainer case.
- Never leave your retainer on a school tray or on a tray at a fast food restaurant, as it will inadvertently be thrown away.
- Keep your retainer away from all pets.
- We recommend that when you first start wearing your retainer, you read aloud to yourself or talk on the phone to allow your tongue to accommodate to the retainer while speaking.
- For a retainer with a wire, when brushing your teeth, hold it in your hand, and scrub it thoroughly with your toothbrush. Be certain also to brush the roof of your mouth lightly with your toothbrush.
- About once a week, you should soak your retainer in denture cleaner to keep it fresh and clean.
- Keep your retainer away from any heat source (dashboard of car, top of stove, boiling water, etc.).
- Remember that your retainer is an expensive orthodontic appliance. Take good care of it. There is a charge to replace any lost or broken retainer.
- If it ever gives you any problem or is lost or broken, call the office immediately. If you have a problem with your retainer, DO NOT attempt to adjust it on your own. Call our office as soon as possible for an appointment.
