Clear retainers
Be sure to wear your clear retainers
Your doctor made custom clear retainers just for you. For the first 8 weeks after your orthodontics are removed, wear the retainers full-time. That means taking them off only to:
- Eat
- Drink hot beverages, like tea
- Drink beverages that could stain, like coffee, dark fruit juice, or red wine
- Brush and floss
If you're having a cold or a room-temperature beverage that's clear, you can leave your retainers on.
Keep track of your clear retainers
When you remove your retainers, make sure to place them directly into your retainer case. Don't wrap them in a napkin or a paper towel, since this makes it easy to throw them out accidentally (trust us!).
How to clean your clear retainers
Here's how to keep your retainers clean:
- Cup one retainer in your hand
- With your other hand, gently brush the inside and outside with a wet toothbrush (don't use toothpaste, which can result in crusty buildup over time).
- Repeat with the other retainer
- Avoid holding the retainer with two fingers and letting it bend, since this could crack the plastic
- If stains appear on the plastic over time, use one of the cleaning tablets we gave you.
- Don't soak your retainer in colored mouthwash, since it will stain the plastic that color!
Protect your clear retainers from pets
If you have a pet, your pet will love your retainers. Your retainers will smell like you, and to get close to you, your pet will want to chew your retainers into oblivion. They will then proudly present your delicious, shredded retainers to you as a prize.
To avoid this, make sure your retainers are safely stored in their case when they aren't in your mouth. For extra safety, put the case in a drawer or somewhere your pet can't reach. We include one set of retainers in your treatment cost. The cost to replace a single retainer is $150.
Wear your retainers as instructed
At 8 weeks, we'll ask you to come in so your doctor can see how your teeth look. At this visit, they'll give you instructions on how often to wear your retainers in the coming weeks. Over time, you'll reduce how often you wear them to nighttime only.
Fixed retainer
How to clean your fixed retainer
Your lower front teeth are the most likely to drift back to their original position. To prevent this, your doctor placed a fixed retainer behind them-a simple, subtle bar bonded to your teeth. This ensures that your smile will look superb for years to come, and that, before long, you won't have to wear a clear retainer during the day.
Here's how to keep your fixed retainer clean:
- Brush your teeth as usual, but make sure to pay special attention to the area around the bar to remove debris and massage the gums below
- To floss this area, you'll need floss threaders, which slide between your teeth beneath the bar
Making your fixed retainer last
Fixed retainers are sturdy, but there's always a chance they can break. Here are some tips to make yours last:
- Instead of biting into raw fruits and vegetables with your front teeth, cut the fruits and vegetables into slices and chew them on your back teeth
- Avoid biting down on ice cubes
- Use caution when drinking through metal straws
If part of your permanent retainer breaks, give us a call. We'll see you ASAP and get it fixed.
Questions?
Reach out any time via email or by calling (212) 686-3686.