Clear retainers are an excellent way to hold your teeth in place. Aesthetically, they look somewhat similar to the tray aligners used with Invisalign treatment and are virtually invisible. As such, they’re perfect for patients who want to protect their beautiful new smile as discreetly as possible.
Caring For Your Retainer
Don’t lose it! This is the most important part of retainer care, as retainers can be expensive to replace. Plus, you can’t wear your retainer if you’ve lost it, and that may allow your teeth to shift. When you’re not wearing your retainer, keep it in its case!
Remove your retainer while eating and drinking. To keep your clear retainer in perfect shape, refrain from eating or drinking while wearing it. Denture cleansing solution daily. Your retainer can accumulate food particles and bacteria, so make sure you clean it daily with a toothbrush. Brush your teeth after each meal. If you put your retainer in an unclean mouth, food particles may get trapped. Prevent this from happening by diligently brushing your teeth after each and every meal.
Hawley Retainers
The most common type of retainer, Hawley retainers are removable appliances that consist of wires, clasps and a thick plastic body that covers the roof of your mouth. The metal clasps grip your teeth, maintaining their proper alignment and protecting your beautiful new smile. Our Hawley retainers are made in our in-house lab and can be customized in a variety of fun designs and colorful hues, making them an exciting part of your orthodontic treatment.
How to care for your Hawley retainer
Don’t lose it! This is the most important part of retainer care, as retainers can be expensive to replace. Plus, you can’t wear your retainer if you’ve lost it, and that may allow your teeth to shift. When you’re not wearing your retainer, keep it in its case!
Wear your retainer full-time. In the first six months after your orthodontic treatment, you should wear your retainer full-time, only taking it out to eat, drink, swim and play sports. Wearing your retainer as often as possible will ensure your new smile is maintained. After six months, Dr. Grieve may recommend you wear them at night only.
Remove your retainer while eating and drinking. To keep your retainer in perfect shape, refrain from eating or drinking while wearing it.
Brush your retainer daily. Your retainer can accumulate food particles and bacteria, so make sure you clean it daily with a toothbrush.
Brush your teeth after each meal.If you put your retainer in an unclean mouth, food particles may get trapped. Avoid this by brushing your teeth after every single meal.
Retainer Wear is Important
With our removable retainers, many patients are tempted to avoid wearing the appliance when it may be inconvenient. However, this is a big mistake, because wearing your retainer is one of the most important aspects of your orthodontic treatment. Once your braces are removed, the teeth naturally want to shift back to their original positions within the jaw. If they are allowed to do so, the beautiful new smile we created with your orthodontic treatment will be undone. Wearing your retainer as instructed by Dr. Grieve will prevent this from happening – ensuring your teeth remain straight and healthy for a lifetime.
