You’ve been dreaming about this moment for a long time – the day you finally get your braces taken off! What you’ll see underneath is a stunning, straight, beautiful smile. But that’s not the only thing that will be different. While life after braces is more or less the same as life before braces, there is at least one extra thing you’ll have to pay attention to: your retainer.
Get the scoop now so you’ll know what to expect.
What is A Retainer?
Technically, there are multiple types of retainers. However, they all have the same job of keeping your newly aligned teeth in place. Your braces moved them into better, straighter positions, but teeth are resilient. They have a tendency to slide back to their original alignments without supervision. Thus, your orthodontist may provide you with either a fixed retainer, a removable retainer, or some combination of both.
How Are These Retainers Different?
Fixed retainers are typically thin wires that your orthodontist will adhere to the back of your teeth. Don’t worry – they’re low-profile, and you’ll likely barely notice it once you get used to it. Removable retainers are more like mouthguards. Most patients only need to wear them at night, and they can be taken out. This is convenient, but also means they require maintenance!
Removeable Retainer Care Tips
Since your removeable retainer is made from plastic, it’s important not to use hot water when you clean it. Absolutely do not put it in the microwave or try to boil it clean! You also shouldn’t eat or drink anything except water while wearing it, as it could get stained or damaged. With the warnings out of the way, here’s what you can do to take care of your removable retainer:
- Brush it gently with dish soap or hand soap after you take it out
- Give it a good rinse before putting it back in
- Store it in its case when not in use
And that’s about it! Follow these tips, and your removeable retainer will stay clean and comfortable.
Open Wide and Enjoy
Other than that, you’ll be back to a normal brushing and flossing routine. And, of course, the best part is you’ll be able to eat whatever you want. You should know, though, that for the first couple of days after having your braces removed, your teeth might feel “brittle” and sensitive. So you might want to save the popcorn celebration for after the tenderness fades!
About the Author
Dr. Payam Ishani is a proud member of the American Association of Orthodontists, and is Invisalign certified. To make sure he provides his patients with the best care possible, he actively pursues continuing education and stays up-to-date with the latest orthodontic technologies and techniques. If you’d like to know more about what you should expect after completing your braces treatment, give Dr. Ishani’s office a call at 405-254-5094.