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How to Clean your Retainer
Once you are done with your orthodontic treatment and you finally get your braces off, you move into the retention phase of your treatment. This is when your orthodontist will give you a retainer to wear that is designed to hold your teeth in their new positions. It is of the utmost importance that you wear your retainer as directed. If you fail to do so, your entire time spent in braces could be in vain as your teeth could shift back into their original positions.
It is important to take good care of your retainer. When you remove it to eat, be sure to put it in its case instead of wrapping it in a napkin. It’s one of the most common ways people lose their retainers, and results in needing to get a replacement, which can be costly.
The other key part of caring for your retainer is keeping it clean. A dirty retainer can actually cause tooth decay or other harmful dental issues. Here are some directions for cleaning the different types of retainers our patients use.
How to Clean a Hawley or Clear Retainer
Since both Hawley and clear retainers are removable, it is fast and easy to clean them. If you have a Hawley retainer, just remove it from your mouth and brush it gently with your toothbrush and a small dab of toothpaste while you are brushing your teeth.
If you have a clear retainer, you may brush it with a soft toothbrush. You can also use a retainer cleaner, such as Retainer Brite®. Just drop a tablet into a glass of water and put your retainer in the glass. After a few minutes, take your retainer out of the solution, give it a good rinse and you’re done.
How to Clean a Fixed Retainer
If you have a fixed retainer, you simply brush it when you are brushing or flossing your teeth. We recommend using a floss threader to make getting around your retainer easier when flossing. As you can see, keeping your retainer clean is easy – regardless of what type you may be wearing! If you have any questions about your retainer, don’t hesitate to contact us at any one of our 19 orthodontic offices located all around Kentucky.