{"id":65,"date":"2022-10-04T03:24:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-04T03:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dralexjohnson.com\/blog\/?p=65"},"modified":"2022-11-04T03:29:39","modified_gmt":"2022-11-04T03:29:39","slug":"tips-to-care-for-your-retainer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dralexjohnson.com\/blog\/?p=65","title":{"rendered":"Tips to Care for Your Retainer"},"content":{"rendered":"
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At your last Invisalign appointment, you can\u2019t help but look forward to life without dental devices. However, your orthodontic care doesn\u2019t end when the clear aligners are removed. To preserve your hard-earned results, you must wear a retainer<\/a> for the rest of your life. If you neglect to do so, your teeth could move back into their original pre-orthodontic positions. Aside from consistently wearing your retainer, you must also take proper care of it. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Regularly Clean Your Retainer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Like your teeth, make sure you regularly clean your retainer to eliminate tartar that can build up on the surface. After each use, carefully scrub it with a toothbrush and some water. But don\u2019t use toothpaste! It can be abrasive and damage your retainer, making it difficult to keep it clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remove It Before Eating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You should always remove your retainer before eating to prevent food and plaque from becoming trapped. When taking it off, do not twist it with your tongue or pull it to one side as it could get damaged. Instead, loosen it in several places, then slowly ease it off. Don\u2019t forget to put it in its designated storage case!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wear Yours Often<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s worth noting that retainers only work if you use them as directed. Make sure you wear yours as often as your orthodontist recommends it! It\u2019s the best way to ensure your smile stays perfect for life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid Cleaning with Harsh Chemicals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, water and a toothbrush are sufficient for cleaning it. If you decide to soak your retainer for a deeper clean, you can add baking soda, mild vinegar, or denture tablets to the water for additional sanitization. Avoid using bleach or alcohol-based mouthwash! They can damage the plastic and your mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Properly Store Your Retainer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It might seem like a no-brainer to keep your retainer in a safe place, but misplacing it is a problem that happens quite often with patients. Whenever you\u2019re not using yours, store it in its case or a bag. Make sure you keep it out of reach of dogs or children \u2013 they may damage or lose the retainer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brush Your Teeth Before and After Wearing Your Retainer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before and after putting on yours, brush your teeth. Otherwise, placing your retainer on teeth that are not clean will only cause it to get dirty much more quickly. An unclean mouth can lead to several oral health problems and complications, so be sure to prioritize hygiene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re still unsure how to take care of your retainer, review the tips outlined above. Keeping it clean will help you enjoy a healthy, beautiful smile for life!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Alex Johnson<\/a> earned his dental doctorate from Washington University and stayed to attain his orthodontic certificate as well. He is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and has completed continuing education courses at the prestigious Pankey Institute. If you are interested in a retainer, some are permanently anchored in the mouth while others can be removed for meals and cleanings. We\u2019ll go over the details of both during a consultation. Schedule one on his website<\/a> or call (727) 786-7550.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

At your last Invisalign appointment, you can\u2019t help but look forward to life without dental devices. However, your orthodontic care doesn\u2019t end when the clear aligners are removed. To preserve your hard-earned results, you must wear a retainer for the rest of your life. If you neglect to do so, your teeth could move back […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nTips to Care for Your Retainer | Dr. Alex Johnson Orthodontics<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Once you finish your orthodontic treatment, you must wear a retainer to preserve your results. 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