Retainer Instructions

Caring for Your Retainer

Wear your retainer as directed by your orthodontist, and keep it in unless you are eating, swimming, or instructed otherwise. When you remove your retainer, always place it in its case—never in a napkin, pocket, or on a table, as it can easily be lost or damaged. Keep it away from pets, hot water, hot car dashboards, washing machines, and other sources of heat. You can drink cold, clear liquids while wearing your retainer, but other beverages may stain it. Always bring your retainer to your orthodontic appointments, and contact our office immediately if it becomes lost, broken, or uncomfortable.

Clean your retainer thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste using warm, never hot, water. Retainer cleaning products such as Efferdent®, Retainer Brite, or OAP can also be used, but they should not replace regular brushing. It may feel difficult to speak at first, so practice speaking, reading, or singing aloud to adjust more quickly. Retainers are delicate and should be handled carefully. Never try to adjust your retainer yourself; if you have questions, concerns, or feel it needs an adjustment, contact our office. With proper care, your retainer can last for years and help protect your orthodontic results.

  • Wear your retainer at all times, until the doctor instructs otherwise.
  • Take your retainer out when eating, and always put it back in its case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunchrooms or restaurants.)
  • Clean the retainer thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors. Efferdent®, Retainer Brite, OAP or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used but do not take the place of brushing.
  • When your retainer is not in your mouth, it should ALWAYS be in its case. Pets love to chew on them!
  • Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to it faster.
  • Retainers are breakable, so treat yours with care. If your retainer gets lost or broken, call us immediately.
  • If you have any questions or concerns about your retainer, or you believe it needs adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust it yourself.
  • Always bring your retainer to your appointments.
  • Retainer replacements are expensive, but with proper care they will last for years!
  • Remove your retainer when you go swimming.
  • Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.
  • You can drink cold clear liquids with them on. Anything else will stain them.
  • To insert: start from the front. Press over teeth. Gently work around to the back.
  • Do not bite into place; this will cause them to wear out. Instead, push into place with fingers.
  • To remove:  pull from one side in the back and work around. Pulling both sides simultaneously can crack it in the middle.
  • If you lose the essix retainers, call us immediately before the teeth start to shift.  Replacement retainers are $100 each. Or more if we need to move teeth back.