Does the thought of finishing the whole orthodontic treatment and embracing your newly straightened teeth excite you? Well, everyone who wore braces can testify how effective those dental appliances are, whether in the form of brackets or trays, in giving them a “smile success.” However, the journey does not just end right there. Ask them how they maintain their straight and aligned teeth, and they will tell you the secret: Retainers.
Imagine having your crooked, overcrowded teeth fixed by an orthodontic braces treatment, and waking up one day, noticing that the teeth that you once fixed started to reform. Nightmare, isn’t it? It is what happens when one refused to wear their retainers.
A piece of custom-made removable or bonded dental appliance called a retainer is recommended to be used after the braces treatment to ensure that the teeth won’t go back to its original form. We at Comfort Dental Care & Orthodontics offer different Retainer options for our patients to sustain and ‘retain’ their new smile. The device is guaranteed well-fitting for the wearer’s comfort.
Tips to Give Retainers a Proper Care
Already have a retainer? Make it last longer! Here are basic points on how to take care of it.
- When eating, take out the dental appliance to avoid food and plaque from being trapped.
- Often, patients use tissue as a wrap for their retainers. However, it is not advisable as some people might mistake it as trash and accidentally throw it. Instead, carry its case with you whenever you are dining out or even at school.
- Take time to brush the appliance regularly using a toothbrush and toothpaste to scrape off particles on the surface.
- Soaking it in a water and baking soda solution to keep it clean and free from bacteria is a must.
- When the retainer is not worn, place it in a sanitized container with adequate airflow to prevent molds.
- Do not rinse the mouth and the retainer with a bottle of mouthwash that contains alcohol as it might damage them.
- Do not use hot water as a soak as it can warp and melt the materials.
Treat your retainer better, and it will treat you well: securing you the best and long-lasting smile!
For inquiries about Retainers in Pensacola, FL, book an appointment with us at Comfort Dental Care & Orthodontics. You can also visit us at 5710 North Davis Hwy., Suite 1, Pensacola, FL 32503.