Retainers
- Wear your retainers full time, until a member of TeamMCO states otherwise.
- Take your retainers out when eating … and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunchrooms, napkins, or restaurants.)
- Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush without toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque and eliminates odors. Efferdent® or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used but do not take the place of brushing.
- When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer 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 them faster.
- Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken call us immediately.
- If you have any questions or concerns about your retainers, or your retainers need adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust them yourself.
- Always bring your retainers to your appointments.
- Retainer replacement is expensive … with proper care they will last for years!
- Remove retainers when playing sports but be sure to use a mouthguard.
- Enjoy your new smile, but remember that this is the end of your braces, not your orthodontic treatment :).
- To keep your teeth straight, you will eventually want to keep wearing the retainers at night indefinitely. Those people you see walking around with straight teeth have a secret... they still wear their retainers EVERY night!
