Don’t Forget This Important Step on Your Journey to Straight Teeth

We know that there is nothing more exciting than the day your braces are finally removed. It is a day that you dream of for many months: the day you can look in the mirror and finally see all the hard work pay off—your teeth are straight and beautiful. Even though you are excited to show off your new smile, it is important to understand that your journey to straight teeth is not over yet. You still need another device to help your teeth remain in this beautiful condition. Continue reading to learn more about the next step in your journey. 

Why Do You Need a Retainer?

We never see our patients smile so big as the day they get their braces removed. Upon learning that they need to wear a retainer, the enjoyment briefly fades, so we want to give a quick reminder why retainers are so important. After going through many months of wearing braces, caring for your teeth, and dealing with discomfort, the last thing we want our patients to experience is their teeth shifting out of place. A retainer is meant to help the muscles and tissue in the mouth hold the teeth and help them set in their new place. While a retainer will not need to be worn continuously for the rest of your life, it is especially important immediately after braces are removed.

How to Care For a Retainer?

Because your retainer sits in your mouth all day, it is accumulating the same bacteria that your mouth does. We all know the importance of oral care in keeping your teeth and mouth clean; therefore, it is important to do the same for your retainer. Retainers can be cleaned with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Don’t forget to clean the case that stores your retainers because bacteria can grow there as well. We suggest that you do not use harsh chemicals to clean your retainer, as they can cause costly damage. 

A few friendly reminders when caring for a retainer:

• Remove your retainer before eating so as not to cause damage to the hardware.
• Use the storage case for your retainers. Napkins and paper towels are not great storage options as they can be forgotten and thrown out. 
• Avoid putting your retainer near extreme heat such as boiling water or dishwashers.

If you have any questions about how to care for your retainer, your retainer breaks, or you lose your retainer, contact our office located in Southfield, MI as soon as possible. We want to be sure that your teeth remain straight as an arrow!