• Until the doctor tells you differently, keep your retainer on.
• When eating, pull your retainer out and always put it back in its case! (The majority of appliances are misplaced in school cafeterias or restaurants.)
• Using a toothbrush and toothpaste, clean the retainer thoroughly once a day. Use water that is warm but not hot. Plaque is removed, and smells are eliminated by brushing retainers. Cleaning your orthodontic appliances with Efferdent® or other orthodontic appliance cleaners is an option, but it is not a replacement for brushing.
• When your retainer isn’t in your mouth, keep it in its case at all times. Chewing on them is a pet’s favorite pastime!
• It may be tough for you to speak at first—practice speaking, reading, or singing aloud to get used to it faster. Retainers are fragile, so handle them with care. If your retainer is misplaced or broken, please contact us right away.
• Call us if you have any questions or concerns about your retainer or think it needs to be adjusted. Don’t try to fix it yourself.
• Always remember to bring your retainer with you to your appointments.
• Replacement retainers are costly, but they can last several years with careful care!
• When you go swimming, take your retainer off.
• Maintain a safe distance from hot water, heated car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins when wearing retainers.
• Although toothpaste can dull or cloud the plastic, brushing them with toothpaste is acceptable.
• Do not use your front teeth to bite rough or sticky foods. Biting on tough or sticky objects can bend or dislodge the wire from your teeth. Apples and carrots should be cut into small pieces and chewed with your back teeth.
• When wearing retainers, never eat anything. It’s fine to drink water while wearing the retainers, but you should take them out if you drink anything else.
• If you neglect to wear your retainer, you can re-align your teeth by wearing it full-time for a few days. During the re-alignment process, your teeth may be sore. Call our dental office in North Miami Beach, FL, if you can’t get the retainer to stay in place or it doesn’t fit.

Contact Esteem Braces and Aligners at (786) 744-1570 if you need any clarifications or have any queries regarding retainers and book an appointment with our orthodontist in North Miami Beach, FL.