Retainer Care Guide
Protect your investment! Proper retainer care ensures your beautiful smile lasts a lifetime.
Why Retainer Care Matters
After months or years of orthodontic treatment, your retainer is the key to maintaining your perfect smile. Teeth naturally want to shift back to their original positions, and your retainer prevents this from happening.
For true dental emergencies (severe trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, difficulty breathing), please call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room.
Retainer Care Do's
Clean your retainer daily with a soft toothbrush and mild soap
Store your retainer in its case when not wearing it
Rinse your retainer with cool water before and after wearing
Brush and floss your teeth before putting your retainer in
Bring your retainer to all orthodontic appointments
Wear your retainer exactly as prescribed by your doctor
Keep your retainer away from pets - they love to chew on them!
Replace your retainer case if it becomes cracked or dirty
Retainer Care Don'ts
Don't use hot water - it can warp the plastic
Don't eat or drink (except water) while wearing your retainer
Don't wrap your retainer in napkins - it often gets thrown away accidentally
Don't use toothpaste to clean it - it's too abrasive
Don't leave your retainer in direct sunlight or near heat
Don't skip wearing your retainer without consulting us first
Don't put your retainer in the dishwasher or microwave
Don't forget to bring your retainer when traveling
Daily Cleaning Routine
1
Rinse Thoroughly
Remove your retainer and rinse it under cool running water to remove saliva and loose debris.
2
Gentle Brushing
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild hand soap (not toothpaste) to gently clean all surfaces.
3
Final Rinse & Store
Rinse again with cool water and store in your retainer case when not in use.
Deep Cleaning (Weekly)
Once a week, give your retainer a deeper clean to remove buildup and keep it fresh:
1
Prepare Cleaning Solution
Mix equal parts cool water and white vinegar in a small bowl, or use a retainer cleaning tablet dissolved in water.
2
Soak Retainer
Let your retainer soak for 15-20 minutes. This helps dissolve mineral deposits and eliminates odor-causing bacteria.
3
Brush and Rinse
After soaking, brush gently with a soft toothbrush and rinse thoroughly with cool water before wearing.
What If My Retainer Breaks or Gets Lost?
Contact our office immediately! Even a few days without your retainer can cause teeth to shift. We can often fabricate a replacement within a week.
Replacement fees may apply. To avoid this:
- Always keep your retainer in its case
- Never wrap it in a napkin at restaurants
- Keep it away from pets and small children
- Consider getting a backup retainer
Protect Your Perfect Smile
Wearing your retainer as prescribed and caring for it properly is the best way to ensure your smile stays beautiful for life.