5 Reasons To Take Care Of Your Orthodontic Mouth Retainer
After your braces have been removed, your orthodontic treatment isn’t fully finished. You’ll want to ensure that your teeth remain straight for the foreseeable future. That’s where a mouth retainer will come in handy.
There are plenty that neglect this part of their orthodontic treatment. And doing so will defeat the entire purpose of your goal for a straighter smile. This guide will go over five reasons why you need to take care of your retainer while using it regularly.
Let’s get started with the list below.
Clean it regularly
When brushing your teeth, you’ll want to take care of your retainer. You will need to use a toothbrush and toothpaste to clean it. You should also consider using mouthwash as well.
Once you have gently scrubbed the inside and outside of your retainer, make sure you rinse it completely. This is something you’ll need to do everyday for as long as you are required to wear the retainer.
One thing to note, you’ll want to hand clean the retainer. Don’t put it in a dishwasher or microwave. This can lead to serious damage.
Maintain good habits with your retainer
Any orthodontist in Robbinsville, NJ can tell you, good habits will make the retainer process easy. There are a few things that you need to remember while wearing them. They include but are not limited to:
Carrying your retainer at all times in a case. When you are eating, make sure it’s enclosed and close to you.
Never wrap the retainer in a napkin or tissue. You may accidentally mistake it for trash and you’ll end up throwing it away. One more reason why putting it in a case would make the best sense.
Contact Bordentown Braces right away if you have a retainer that is lost or damaged. We’ll make you a new one as soon as possible. It’s also a good idea to get this done before things get worse with your teeth.
Follow the instructions
The instructions of wearing the retainer in your mouth will be as simple and straightforward as possible. Of course, we require you to wear it all the time unless we say otherwise. Later on in your retainer treatment, you’ll only need to wear it every night.
At the same time, we encourage you to continue visiting your orthodontist for regular checkups on your progress. If you are receiving braces in New Jersey through us, it is important that we want to continue your progress with the help of mouth retainers.
It will help you keep up with your dental care habits
When wearing an orthodontic mouth retainer, it should help get you into a routine. This includes not only brushing and flossing your teeth, but also cleaning the retainer itself. If you have any concerns or questions, you can always ask your orthodontist.
Or, you can check out the retainer FAQ we will be providing down below. At this point, you might already have a dental care routine down pat while you were wearing braces. Granted, things will be a little similar when wearing a retainer.
The only difference is that you won’t be able to worry about getting in and around the wires and brackets. Your orthodontist will give you a simple, straightforward guide on how to wear your retainer (including when to remove it).
It will take care of you – literally
Think of it like this – if you take care of your mouth retainer, it will take care of you. Meaning that it will continue to do its job to keep your teeth straight for as long as possible. Your braces have done its work – so it’s time to indirectly reward it by keeping it going by wearing your retainer.
As long as you continue to follow the instructions, you should be good to go. It’s important to not forget about wearing your retainer. There may be days when you might forget (and that’s OK, no need to be hard on yourself).
Just remember to wear it in your mouth if you notice that you aren’t wearing it. Especially in situations where you may have finished eating or brushing your teeth. Always double check to make sure you’ve placed it back in your mouth.
Retainer FAQ
Now, let’s take a look at the following questions below about your retainer:
- What does an orthodontic retainer do?
The purpose of an orthodontic retainer is to ensure that your teeth are in the correct place. This way, they won’t be able to move while the retainer stays in place. Hence the name – retainer.
- Do you need to wear a retainer forever?
No. The length of time for wearing a retainer will depend on the patient. If you are dealing with minor dental issues, it can take anywhere from 2 to 3 months. If they are severe, you can expect to wear retainers for six months or more.
- Do you need to wear your retainer while you sleep?
For the first three months, it is required that you wear your retainer while you sleep. Which means you will need to wear them for 22 hours daily. The only times when it’s appropriate to remove them is when you are brushing your teeth or eating.
- How long will your teeth shift if you don’t wear a retainer?
If your treatment is ongoing and you lose your retainer, your teeth may shift within two weeks after not wearing it.
Need a retainer? Call us today
If you need a retainer to continue your orthodontic treatment, Bordentown Braces will be able to help. It’s important that you wear it as directed by an orthodontist after your braces have been removed. If you have any questions, concerns, or want to schedule a consultation – call our office to set up an appointment.
Our number is 609-291-8555. Our office is located on 231 Crosswicks Rd., Suite 9 Bordentown, NJ 08505. Don’t miss out – call us today for your mouth retainer.
Looking for braces or Invisalign? Looking for an board certified Orthodontist in Central NJ that treats kids, teens and adults? Bordentown Braces serves all surrounding areas of Bordentown, NJ including:
