Retainer Instructions

  • 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 lunchrooms or restaurants.)
  • Clean retainers thoroughly with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brush retainers to remove the plaque, and eliminate odors. Efferdent or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used, but does not take the place of brushing.
  • 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 out loud to get use to them faster.
  • Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken call the office 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, but with proper care they will last for years!
  • Remove retainers when swimming and put into retainer case.
  • Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.

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