Did you know there’s a chance that you’ll be required to wear a retainer to maintain your results once you’re finished with your Invisalign treatment? These oral appliances don’t apply enough pressure to move your teeth, but can hold them in place long enough for your mouth to adjust to keep them from relapsing.
However, you must care for it correctly to continue to enjoy the benefits it provides. Continue reading to learn 3 maintenance tips that can help you avoid potential problems with your retainer!
Tip #1: Remove It for Meals
Retainers often have an acrylic base that includes metal wires to provide a strong enough structure to keep your pearly whites from shifting back to their starting places. Although these materials don’t develop decay or disease themselves, they can trap bits of food and give unwanted germs surfaces on which to flourish.
Removing your retainer to eat or drink anything other than water can help keep it clean and in great shape so it can continue serving its purpose. It’s a good idea to always keep the carrier case with you so you have a safe place to store it while you eat, where you won’t accidentally throw it away with your trash following your meal or snack!
Tip #2: Keep it Clean
You’ll also need to wash your retainer regularly to remove built-up residue that can contribute to dental problems, like cavities, gum disease, or worse. You should rinse it after eating anything to avoid plaque and tartar, but be sure to use cool or room temperature water. Anything too hot can warp the plastic, so it no longer fits!
You should also maintain a twice-daily dental hygiene routine to protect your grin. This involves removing your retainer both morning and night so you can thoroughly brush and floss your teeth without it getting in the way. This increases your smile’s resilience so you’re less likely to experience oral issues.
Tip #3: Avoid Damaging Chemicals
You’ll also need to gently scrub your retainer with a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove plaque and bacteria, but avoid using harsh chemicals that might abrade the surface. Usually, water and clear dish soap or non-abrasive toothpaste are sufficient, but you can also soak your retainer in mild mixtures containing either a small amount of baking soda or vinegar to kill germs.
Try to avoid using household chemicals or cleaners, like bleach or alcohol-based mouthwash. These aren’t intended to be ingested and can be toxic, and can also damage the material your oral appliance is made from.
If you suspect your retainer has been harmed, your dentist can help provide a new one to preserve your recently straightened smile!
Meet the Author
Dr. Marjan Salari is a skilled specialist who is dedicated to helping families in Annandale build and maintain beautiful, healthy teeth and gums. She initially earned her dental degree from the Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium), then completed a Prosthodontics residency in Europe. Since then, she has completed a 3-year residency at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale. Today, she combines a caring approach with advanced technology to provide various services to meet all your needs under one roof, including Invisalign. You can request an appointment on the website or call (703) 763-0800.