Retainer Brisbane QLD
After your braces are removed you will be required to wear a retainer. Sometimes patients can be fitted with fixed retainers which are attached to the back of teeth permanently. Alternatively, removable retainers are prescribed for patients. Removable retainers can be removed for cleaning which means there are no hard to reach places and teeth can remain as clean as possible.
Securing Placement
If you were to have nothing after brace removal, your teeth would move back to their original positions. There are a variety of different types of retainers. Your Orthodontist will prescribe the best type of retainer for your teeth. Please bring your retainers to every appointment. Long-term retainer wear is the only way to ensure that your teeth remain in position.
Instructions for wearing retainers
For the first three months, wear your retainers full time except for eating, drinking, sport and swimming.
After the first three months, of if a fixed retainer has been bonded, wear your retainers at night, after dinner and sleeping. It is essential to wear your retainers for at least 10 hours out of every 24 hour day.
When wearing your retainer at night, please clean your retainer and leave in fresh water during the day.
It is important that you remove and insert your retainers as shown and also do not flick your retainers with your tongue, as this will make them loose.
Cleaning retainers
Always make sure your teeth and retainers are clean before placing in them in your mouth. You can clean your retainers with a toothbrush but do not use toothpaste. For an extra clean, retainers can be placed in a glass of water with a Polident tablet. Leave for approximately 15-20 minutes. This can be carried out once or twice a week. This does not replace regular cleaning with your toothbrush. Do not rinse or soak retainers in hot water.
Follow these easy steps to keep both the retainer and teeth as clean and healthy as possible.
Step 1:
Rinse the retainer with warm (not hot) water.
Step 2:
Place the retainer in the cup.
Step 3:
Pour vinegar into the cup until the retainer is fully submerged.
Step 4:
Let it sit for 2 to 5 minutes.
Step 5:
Take the retainer out and scrub it gently with the toothbrush.
Step 6:
Rinse the retainer again with warm water.
Step 7:
Repeat if needed.