Tips on how to care for your retainers

The use of retainers is a crucial stage of treatment regardless of the type of dental appliance used.

Orthodontic treatment does not end on the day the appliance is removed. One of the essential phases of successful treatment is retention. The use of retainers after braces or any other system – such as Invisalign – is essential to maintain the results.

6 tips for good care of retainers

When we start orthodontic treatment, we are investing time and money in obtaining a perfect result. Hence the importance of being consistent with the retainers that will allow the results to be long-lasting and the teeth to maintain their aligned position.

There are two different types of retainers: fixed retainers are a metal bar that is placed on the inside of the teeth and prevents them from moving. There are patients who wear them all their lives and do not feel any discomfort in their daily life; and removable retainers, which are placed in the arch where the patient has had orthodontics. For these, the dentist takes a sample of the mouth and a custom-made transparent dental splint is created. Unlike the previous ones, the use is regressive and they can be worn throughout the day – except for meals and toothbrushing – and gradually reduce the time of use until they are only worn at night.

It is important to take care of the retainers as only good use will guarantee long-lasting results.

From Emardental we would like to give you 6 tips to take care of your dental retainers:

1. Make a commitment to cleanliness

Hygiene plays a fundamental role in all oral health and, of course, also in the care of dental retainers.

Fixed retainers should be cleaned while brushing, while removable retainers should be cleaned each time they are removed. It is enough to do it with a neutral soap and in the same way as with the discharge splints or the Invisalign splints themselves.

A good cleaning will ensure that bacteria do not accumulate in the retainers.

2. Be careful when putting them in and taking them out

It is important to treat them with care. Important tip: do not always remove them from the same side as they could become loose. Try to alternate to avoid cracks.

3. Keep them in their box

One of the most common causes of loss or deterioration of retainers is having stored them out of their box. In a napkin, in a glass or in the first place you have at hand.

It is important to wear them at the times indicated for each patient and, when eating or when taking them out, always keep them in their box.

4. Avoid foods that are very hard on the bite

This advice is important in order to maintain fixed retainers correctly, as with removable retainers you never have to eat.

Biting into hard foods, such as a sandwich, an apple or a crust, has the risk of splitting the retainer. Rather than a bite and a pull, it is better to cut it off and ensure the integrity of the retainer.

5. Don’t bite your nails

In addition to the fact that your fingers and hands will thank you for it, avoid biting your nails as it is counterproductive for your teeth. It is a habit that, over time, can cause teeth to shift.

6. Go to your check-ups

It is very important to go for regular check-ups so that a professional can assess the state of your teeth.

Taking care of your retainers only requires a little bit of care to ensure that the money and time invested is worth it.

At Emardental we offer our patients a personalised service from our specialist team. Our aim is to offer the least invasive and most effective treatments to guarantee a healthy mouth, establishing the foundations of proper oral health that will allow the adult to maintain an aesthetic and functional smile for years to come.

It is important in our clinic to offer the greatest peace of mind and safety with our treatments. For this reason, we have a team of doctors specialised in advanced dentistry techniques and hygienists who are highly qualified in the latest technology and guarantee excellent and long-lasting results.

If you are interested in finding out more about oral cleaning, come and visit us at Emardental and we will make a personalised diagnosis.

Your health is our priority.