The Importance Of A Retainer
Congratulations! You’ve worked hard to reach this important milestone. To make sure your beautiful new smile lasts a lifetime, you’re ready to begin the next stage of treatment—and perhaps the most important one: wearing retainers.
Retainers are amazing little devices that hold your teeth in their new positions while bone tissue rebuilds around them, stabilizing them. This process takes time.
Teeth can shift naturally because the bone that supports them is constantly breaking down and rebuilding. During “active” orthodontic treatment, Dr. Leavitt uses braces or aligners to deliver gentle, controlled forces that guide teeth into their proper places. But even after treatment, daily forces from biting, chewing, swallowing, and speaking can still cause teeth to move. To counteract this, continued retainer wear is recommended.
While no method can prevent tooth movement 100% of the time, wearing retainers as prescribed is the best way to keep your smile looking its best.
The most important thing to remember: retainers only work when they’re in your mouth. To maintain your new look, Dr. Leavitt will prescribe the schedule and type of retainer that’s right for you.
Types of Retainers at Leavitt Orthodontics
At Leavitt Orthodontics, we offer different type of retainers based on your needs and preferences. Here is a quick overview of the options you may have:
Essix Retainer: Clear, custom-fit retainers that are nearly invisible. These are made in our office. This is comfortable and easy to wear, but may need to be replaces more often due to wear and tear.
Bonded or Fixed Retainers: These are bonded to the back of your teeth and are typically worn long-term. While you don’t have to worry about removing them, fixed retainers require some special care to keep teeth and gums healthy.
Proper retainer care is key to making sure it stays in good condition and does its job of keeping your teeth aligned. Here are some tips on retainer maintenance:
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Retainers are for life! You’ll need to wear your retainers as prescribed by Dr. Leavitt . Continued use is key to preserving your beautiful results.
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FOR ESSIX: Gently clean your retainer every day with lukewarm water and mild soap. Avoid brushing the retainer with toothpaste, as the toothpaste might be abrasive and cause scratches that will make it difficult to keep your retainer clean. For a deeper clean, you can soak your retainer in a retainer solution or try a mixture of vinegar and water (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water) for 15 minutes, followed by a thorough rinse.
FOR BONDED RETAINERS: Brushing your teeth and your retainer carefully is important, especially around the bonded wire. Be sure to floss around it daily to prevent plaque buildup, and use an antimicrobial mouthwash to help keep everything fresh.
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When you’re not wearing your retainer, always store it in its case to protect it from getting lost or damaged. Your retainer will only work if it fits properly! Dr. Leavitt will prepare it with the perfect support for your mouth, but it’s up to you to make sure it stays that way. Avoid leaving your retainer in a hot environment, such as a windowsill or a hot car. It will melt or warp. Never put it in boiling water; you may think that boiling it is a great way to make it as clean as possible, but the heat will ruin it.
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Yes, you love your furry best friend, but they have a special ability to snack on retainers. Keep your retainer safe and away from pets at all times.
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No- it is important to remove your retainer before eating. Food can get trapped and it can damage your teeth. If you wrap your retainer in a napkin during meals, it may be easy for your waiter or you to throw it in the trash accidentally. To avoid getting into the trash, keep your retainer in its storage box!
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When you put on your retainer, make sure it is all the way on. There should be no gap between your teeth and the retainer. When removing it, start from the back and work your way forward. Do not twist it or pull from one side. Otherwise, the retainer may get damaged. Loosen your retainer in several places when you remove it and then ease it off. Do not forget to store it in its storage box!
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Before and after putting on your retainer, brush your teeth. If you put your retainer on dirty teeth, your retainer will get dirty much faster, and it is not good for your teeth.
How to deal with retainer discomfort
It is normal to experience mild discomfort or pressure when you first start wearing your retainer, especially if it’s been awhile since you last wore it. But don’t worry-it’s a sign that your retainer is doing its job!
What to do if you loose or break your retainer
If you lose or break your retainer- no stress! We know life happens and no matter what, we will take care of you!
Contact us right away:
If your retainer is lost or damaged, call our office immediately and we will work quickly to get you a replacement or discuss your next steps.
Act Quickly:
Teeth can shift quickly without support of your retainer, so don’t delay. The sooner you replace or repair your retainer, the less chance your teeth will have to move.
Now It’s Up to You-
Keeping your smile healthy and beautiful is in your hands. Keep up with home hygiene and see your dentist regularly. To preserve the great results you got from wearing braces or aligners, wear your retainers as instructed. Contact us any time you have a question or concern about your retainers or the alignment of your teeth. We’re here to help!
