Retainers

Retainers are used after your braces have been removed. They are used to keep your teeth in their corrected positions until your gums, bone, and muscles adapt to the teeth's newly corrected positions. Always wear your retainers as recommended. Failure to abide by this will cause your teeth to revert to its former position, thereby wasting all the benefits derived from wearing the braces.

Since each patient's case is unique, there is no general or universal period stipulated for wearing a retainer. Dr. Waters will evaluate your case and determine the length of time suitable for you. There are some cases where patients will need to have permanent retainers, but normally, retainers are used until a time when the chances of the teeth shifting back to its original position have been fully eliminated.

Orthodontic treatment does not end with the removal of braces. Do not stop taking good care of your dental health at this point. The retention period is also part of the treatment, and you should accord the same care here.

Ensure that your retainers are always clean. Clean them thoroughly with a toothbrush and mild soap and rinse very well afterwards. Do this after every breakfast.

Retainers are easily lost, so endeavor to always keep them in their container any time you are not wearing them.

Remember, wear them in your mouth, not in your pocket. Retainers work when you follow our instructions.

Clean your retainers! After meals and in the morning, clean all parts of the retainers with hand soap and a toothbrush then rinse thoroughly.

Handle your retainers with care. Retainers are easy to lose. If you take your retainers out, always place them in your retainer case for safety.