Just because you’ve had your braces taken off doesn’t mean you should stop seeing your dentist or following their post-treatment instructions – this often includes wearing a retainer.
Patients looking to maintain their fantastic new smile often need to wear a retainer for an extended period determined by their dentist or orthodontist. Depending on several variables, the time frame can be as short as three months, but most individuals are required to wear the device for longer. .
The average lifetime retainer user will wear their device between three and five times per week. The typical lifespan of such goods is between three and ten years. Dental retainers can endure for years when properly cared for without posing any risk to oral health.
Here’s everything you need to know about looking after your retainers:
The Significance of Retainer Care
Poor storage can lead to losing your retainers. Since most are removable, people often take them off and wrap them in a napkin or other material. In such cases, they can easily be confused for trash and disposed of by others in the room. If you use tissues, the material will stick to the device, making it very difficult to clean properly.
If you do store your retainers in a case, make sure you remember where you put the case. Putting it back in the same place each time will make this easier.
Create a Daily Cleaning and Maintenance Routine
Never store retainers near you without cleaning them. Like teeth, retainers must be washed and rinsed after use to remove plaque and dirt. Soaking them in a solution will sometimes clean them. It helps remove tartar and plaque from the device.
Even if you remove your dental equipment before meals, these things can enter, especially for munchies. Without proper dental hygiene after eating, plaque will build up on your teeth and spread to your retainer.
If so, cleaning will be easy. Not cleaning your retainers will allow the same bacteria that cause bad breath to grow in your mouth. This machine is sensitive to some cleaners. For instance, don’t boil them to clean them.
Their plastic parts will suffer. Hot water bends the retainer’s metal parts. Plastic retainers deform when heated to that amount. Toothpaste and water clean anything. Consult your orthodontist near you before brushing your retainers.
The best maintenance approach depends on your retainer. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your dental appliance to avoid scratching. Bleach and alcohol-based mouthwash harm retainers.
The retainer can be soaked in baking soda, denture tablets, and diluted vinegar. The same denture cleaning solution can soak retainers.
Retainer-Friendly Diet: Foods and Drinks to Avoid
If you want your orthodontic retainer to last as long as possible and continue to be effective, you need to follow a retainer-friendly diet. Caramel and gum are two examples of sticky and chewy foods that can get stuck on the retainer and be difficult to remove.
Nuts and hard candies, in particular, threaten retainers in Glendale because of their hard texture. Consuming sugary or acidic meals or drinks might damage the retainer material and increase the risk of tooth decay.
Coffee and berries, in particular, can leave unsightly stains on a retainer. The retainer could crack if exposed to extremely hot foods or beverages. You should avoid eating ice or biting on hard items to avoid damaging your retainer.
Oral health problems and stained retainers are two side effects of alcohol and cigarette use. You may have food stuck in your retainer if you nibble a lot. The success of your orthodontic treatment and the longevity of your retainers depend on your diligence in maintaining good oral hygiene and a retainer-friendly diet.
Regular Check-Ups and Replacements: Ensuring Long-Term Effectiveness
Wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment has concluded is essential. These are crucial for keeping your teeth in good shape. Retainers are expensive to replace since many people lose or damage them. These products have an expected lifespan of roughly ten years.
Since you’ll need to take out the retainer at least twice daily, its carrying case should always be within reach. Remember to clean them after each use and before putting them away. Soaking them in the proper solution will protect them from harm.
Since there is no universally accepted method of cleaning retainers, it is important to consult an orthodontist in Glendale at E&S Orthodontics before beginning any maintenance on your own.
