- With your retainer, remember: "In your face or in it's case."
- Wear your retainer at all times, until the doctor instructs otherwise.
- If you take your retainer out when eating, be sure to put it in it's box, in a safe place. (Most appliances are lost in school lunchrooms or restaurants.)
- Clean the retainer thoroughly once a day with liquid soap or dishwashing liquid. Use warm but not hot water. Cleaning retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors. Efferdent®, Retainer Brite®, or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used to kill the surface bacteria but do not take the place of cleaning. Make sure to rinse off your appliance before placing it back in your mouth after using an orthodontic appliance cleaner.
- Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to it faster.
- Retainers are breakable, so treat yours with care. If your retainer gets lost or broken, call us immediately.
- Do not leave your retainer near small children or pets.
- Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, and the washing machine. Never put it loose in your pocket or wrap it in a napkin.
- If you have any questions or concerns about your retainer, or you believe it needs adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust it yourself.
- Always bring your retainer to your appointments.
- Retainer replacements are expensive, but with proper care they will last for years!
