Retainers
KEEPING YOUR SMILE GREAT
When we remove your braces, you begin the retention stage of your treatment. Protect your investment and hard-earned results and wear your retainers as requested by Dr. Ford. Remember Dr. Ford’s motto, Nighttime for a Lifetime! (8 hours per night)
Removable Orthodontic Retainers:
- Orthodontic retainers should be worn as Dr. Ford requested. Remove retainers when eating and brushing your teeth. Initially, your speech may be affected but should return to normal after a few days of wearing the retainer.
- Remove clear retainers by pulling down with your fingers in the back and working forward. Be sure to loosen it on BOTH sides before removing them.
- Keep retainers clean by brushing them with your toothbrush and water. Toothpaste works well to clean Hawley retainers but can scratch the clear type of retainers. Retainers can be cleaned with commercial retainer cleaner specified for use with retainers.
- When retainers are not being worn, they should be kept in their case. Retainers can be cleaned with antibacterial soap and rinsed well.
- Retainers should be kept away from pets. They can make a costly chew toy!!
- Retainers should not be left in hot cars. They can warp.
- Retainers do wear out and will need periodic replacement. Clear retainers can last up to 3 years with proper care and use. But if you feel they are loose or cracked, it is time to switch to a new one. If you are on your last set, please call Advantage Orthodontics to purchase new retainers.
