Retainers

Wear your removable retainers full time for the first 24 hours and then 10 to 12 hours per night after the first day, or until the doctor instructs otherwise.
Your permanent retainer will be glued in indefinitely or until you request it be removed.
Take your retainers out when eating...and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use cool water because hot water will distort the retainer. 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.
If a white film builds up on your retainer, soak in a mixture of vinegar and water.
Your permanent retainer can be cleaned by normal brushing and through the use of dental floss as we have shown you.
When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case. Pets (especially dogs) love to chew on them!
Orthodontic research has shown that teeth can continually shift throughout one's lifetime and commonly occurs in the twenties. Therefore, we recommend that you wear your retainers into your early twenties or until your wisdom teeth have erupted or have been extracted. When you discontinue your retainers there is always a chance for your teeth to shift.
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!
Remove retainers when swimming.
Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.