Keeping Retainers Clean

Keeping retainers and aligners clean is another part of oral hygiene people have to adapt to while undergoing orthodontic work. At Ross Orthodontics, we want our patients to get the most benefit out of our aesthetically-pleasing Invisalign products, which is why we’re educating them on proper maintenance.

Anytime you remove your retainer is an opportunity to rinse it. It is easier to brush away plaque when a retainer is wet, and a retainer should also be rinsed before being put back in. However, retainers should only be cleaned with room-temperature or cool water—hot water can distort their shape, requiring them to be replaced. Retainers need to be brushed at least once a day. We recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush (not the same one you use on your teeth) and brushing thoroughly, but gently; otherwise, you may scratch the plastic surface, creating a space that is easier for bacteria to colonize.

Toothpastes designed for enamel therapy may contain gritty minerals which can cause scratches since teeth have natural protective films that artificial devices lack. On the other hand, toothpastes that are made specifically for dentures work well on retainers. Remember that the protective case needs to be cleaned regularly as well and that the cleaner your mouth is before you put your retainer in, the fewer opportunities there will be for plaque to build on it.

To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit SmilesbyRoss.com. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.

 

Orthodontic Retention

Every patient is excited to see their new smile when braces come off.  When you’ve worked and waited for something so long it’s easy to get caught up in the results.  It’s still important to retain the new position of the teeth.  There are a few different ways this is accomplished and will vary depending on the patient.

Fixed retainers are wires permanently bonded to the back of either the upper or lower front teeth.  This is usually done very soon after the braces have been removed, and while it isn’t needed for very long after braces treatment and can be removed, it isn’t harmful to keep it longer. Traditional removable retainers include wires that can be adjusted if the teeth require additional movement, and an acrylic base that fits into the roof of the mouth.  The newest kind of retainer available is an aligner-style retainer.  These are removable clear plastic retainers made from a mold of the newly aligned teeth and resemble invisible braces aligners like Invisalign.  Your dentist can tell you what retainer is the best for your continued treatment plan.

To learn more about retainers and all the services we provide, visit www.smilesbyross.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS call our Forest Lake, MN location at 651-464-6988 or our Hudson, WI location at 715-808-8379.

How Long Will I Have to Wear a Retainer?

Treatment at Ross Orthodontics is meant to ensure a lifetime of healthy teeth for our patients, but teeth require constant maintenance. Once a patient’s teeth have been guided into place, they will probably need to wear a retainer.

Exactly how long or often a retainer is needed varies a lot by individual. Typically, gap teeth require the longest use of retainers, but almost everybody needs to wear a retainer for nearly twenty-four hours a day during the first few weeks after their braces are removed. Most people need to wear them for twenty-four hours a day for a year (except when eating or playing sports), and people often need to wear them in their sleep for a period as long as they were undergoing orthodontics. Ultimately, while few people need to wear a retainer for the rest of their lives, everyone who has undergone orthodontics should have a well-fitted retainer which they wear sometimes. Retainers should be snug, but if you are unsure whether yours is a good fit, bring it to us.

To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit SmilesbyRoss.com. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.