Retainer Instructions

Retainer wear needs may be modified specifically for you so follow any directions which are different from the following general guidelines given below. Also, for further information on the purpose of retainers, please refer to Retainers for Life? Don't Braces Work?.

Once you have adjusted to wearing your retainers, they usually are required to be worn only in the evenings before you go to bed and at night while you sleep.

Make sure your retainers are in your mouth in the morning and not accidentally taken out while you sleep and found in your bed. If that happens, wear the retainers more during your waking hours until they stay in your mouth all night. It’s just a training process.

Take your retainers out when eating, and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunchrooms or restaurants.)

Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and water only; the abrasives in toothpaste will scratch the clear type retainers. Toothpaste is OK for the type of retainers with wires in them. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors. Efferdent or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used, but do not take the place of brushing.

When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case. Pets love to chew on them!

Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud 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.