- Wear your retainers as directed by Dr. Romani.
- Take your retainers out when eating, and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunchrooms or restaurants, often because they were wrapped in a napkin).
- Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque and eliminates odors. Efferdent or other denture cleaners can be used, but do not take the place of brushing. Do not soak in mouthwash, as it will degrade the plastic.
- 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 challenging to speak while wearing your retainers. 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, please call us as soon as possible.
- 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 costly. 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 the microwave.
Wearing your retainer faithfully will minimize the shifting of the teeth and help you maintain your beautiful smile. Our advice to all patients, whether treated as children or adults using braces or Invisalign, is to WEAR YOUR RETAINERS EVERY NIGHT FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. This simple effort will allow you to enjoy your perfect smile for a lifetime.
