Dental Retainer Cleaning & Care
Orthodontic retainers are expensive but fragile dental appliances, exposed to the bacteria, dental plaque, and food leftovers in our mouth.
You must take extra care to protect them from damage and keep them as clean as possible.
A lost or broken appliance can add months to the length of an orthodontic treatment, and increase the cost of orthodontics.
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Orthodontic retainer cleaning
The following tips for retainer cleaning can help keep the retainers free of dental plaque bacteria:
Brush your retainer with toothpaste every time you brush your teeth.
Rinse your retainer with water if you can’t brush after meals.
Disinfect your retainer by soaking it in a special retainer cleaner or a denture cleanser, once a day or at least once a week.
Add the cleanser to a cup full of warm – but never hot – water.
Thoroughly rinse the retainer with plain water before placing it back in your mouth.
Sonic retainer cleaners provide deeper cleaning from dental plaque and food particles - where toothbrush's bristles cannot reach.
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Protection of dental retainers
Remove your retainer when playing sports, to protect them from damage.
Do not ‘play’ with your teeth retainer, by clicking them in and out with your tongue.
This could weaken the wires and may cause them to bend or break.
Do not put your orthodontic retainer in hot water, near a heat source or sunlight. The plastic may break down or warp.
Store your dental retainers in a hard plastic retainers box, when you have to remove them. They will remain clean and protected.
Do not loose your retainer. Do not wrap your retainer in a napkin when you are out to eat, put them in a retainer box.
This will not only decrease the possibility of leaving them behind when you finish, but will also make the others eat more comfortable.
Call your orthodontist if you lose, break or have concerns about the fit of your retainer.
Proper care of your teeth retainers can save time and money on costly repairs and remakes.
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Orthodontic problems may require expensive treatments before you get a perfect smile.
Get the best dental insurance you can afford,
so that you will not have to worry about the cost of a necessary treatment.
Avoid dental insurance plans with "hidden" special terms such as UCR or
LEAT, that could limit your options to a non desirable treatment.
Do not let your dental insurance take the decisions for you.
Learn what you have to check before you choose a dental insurance.
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