Wearing and Caring for Your New Retainers

Hi, Dr. Paschal here with Paschal Orthodontics in Greensboro and Madison, Georgia. Congratulations on getting your braces off today – we are so excited for you! Now that you are braces-free, lets talk about your retainers.

Wearing Your Retainers

When your braces were removed, you were given a retainer to wear in order to keep your teeth from moving back into their old positions. Depending on what exactly was removed, you either received both an upper and a lower arch retainer or a single arch. They are plastic and go over your teeth and your instructions are to wear them full time for the first two weeks and then at nighttime only after that.

It’s really important that you wear your retainers as directed because during the first six months to a year after your braces come off, your teeth are highly susceptible to moving. So the more you wear your retainers to hold them in place, the better off you – and your smile – are going to be.

Caring for Your Retainers

Now, as far as your retainer care is concerned, I want you to remember three things:

1. Never wrap them in a napkin. One of the most common stories that we hear about a lost retainer is, “I wrapped him in a napkin, and my sister threw them out.” I hear that all the time.
2. Keep them away from your dogs. Even little dogs. If you put it your retainers in your case and you store them in your case during the day, don’t just set on top of your nightstand because I’ve had multiple chihuahuas get ahold of retainers over the years. When they’re out of your mouth, put them in a case and keep that case in a drawer or in your purse or your book bag or whatever.
3. Taking them in and out. When you take out your retainers, I want you to start in the back, either one side or the other, and then work your way forward. Okay, don’t just pop it and rip it out. Because a lot of times what will happen is after about, you know, 50, 60 times of doing that, you’ll get a crack or bend in the retainer at the front and we want to avoid that. So pop it down in the back or pop it up in the back and then just work it forward. And that’s the easiest way to remove a retainer.

If you have any questions about your retainers, feel free to give us a call or email us here at Paschal Orthodontics. And congratulations again on getting your braces removed. It’s been an absolute pleasure and an honor to help you out. Take care.

Paschal Orthodontics serves the communities of Greensboro and Madison, GA and the surrounding areas. Dr. Paschal offers in-house clear aligner treatment as well as a range of braces options for kids, teens, and adults. To schedule your complimentary consultation, please call us at 706.342.7330. You can also schedule your consultation online – we offer in-office and virtual appointments.