Retainer Care

How to Care for your New Retainers

Once you have your retainers, Dr. Hough and his staff will instruct you on when to wear your retainers. It is imperative that you follow the instructions to prevent your teeth from shifting and to properly care for your retainers:

• Brush your retainers regularly with cool water and hand soap (not toothpaste).
• Retainers belong in your case when not in your mouth to prevent loss or breakage.
• Never leave a retainer or the cases where pets or young children can reach them.
• NEVER wrap your retainer in a napkin – they get thrown away.
• Don’t put the retainer in your pocket, without the case. When you sit, you will bend and break them.
• Take the retainer out to play contact sports.
• Bring your retainer with you to each appointment.
• Keep retainers out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources, such as toasters, hot cars, irons, coffee pots, blow dryers, etc.
• If you lose or break your retainer, call the office immediately.
• Keep them away from pets. Dogs and cats love to eat retainers.
• If your retainer starts to discolor or get build up, you can soak it in plain white vinegar for five to ten minutes and brush with water and hand soap.

If you lose or break your retainers, call the office immediately so we can make arrangements to repair or make new retainers before your teeth shift. If you wait, you may undo the work of your orthodontic procedures and need to start over!