Why You Shouldn't Brush Off Wearing Your Retainer

By the time you reach the end of your orthodontic treatment, you’ve gone through months if not years of taking care to adhere to your treatment guidelines. All those office visits, the special brushing and flossing techniques for metal braces, and staying on top of switching out your aligner trays — you’ve done a lot to earn your newly straightened smile. 

But the work doesn’t end once your braces come off or you’ve disposed of your last set of aligner trays. You need to consistently wear a retainer to keep your smile in perfect alignment.   

At Beaches Dentistry in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, we offer comprehensive orthodontic care, including the creation of custom aligners and guidance on their use to maintain teeth in position over time. 

Let’s delve into how retainers work and why they are such an important part of orthodontic treatment. 

What is a dental retainer, and why is it necessary?

Each tooth anchors into your jawbone. This attachment is secure, but it’s also dynamic. Because your bone is living tissue, it continuously remodels itself. Your teeth make minute shifts within that bone tissue daily. 

These movements are minimal, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t impactful. After all, this ability to shift position is what makes orthodontic care possible. Your braces or aligners correct alignment issues by gently placing pressure on your teeth over time, gradually shifting them into optimal alignment. 

That ability to shift and move continues even after the active phase of your orthodontic care is complete. It isn’t as though your teeth are permanently cemented in place on the day you get your braces removed or take off your last set of aligner trays. 

Your teeth will always be able to change position within your jawbone. That’s where your retainers come in. 

Retainers are dental devices custom-crafted to fit over the surfaces of your teeth. While some types of retainers get secured in place, most are removable and depend on patient compliance to be effective. 

What is it like to wear retainers?

Modern retainers are much more comfortable than those in decades past. Today, we utilize advanced technology to create custom-fit retainers and materials that make them durable and comfortable. 

Near the end of the active phase of your orthodontic treatment, your provider lets you know the plan for your retainers. Some people wear their retainers for 24 hours for weeks or months. Others can begin wearing their retainers only at night. 

Placing and removing your retainers is a simple process. They snap over the surface of your teeth, and it takes just seconds to place and remove them. It’s important to put your retainers in only after brushing and flossing your teeth, so you aren’t trapping plaque and bacteria on the surfaces of your teeth. 

When you remove your retainers, rinse and store them in the provider container. Brush them with your toothbrush and toothpaste frequently to give them a deep clean. 

What if I lose or damage my retainers?

If you lose or break your retainers, you certainly aren’t alone. Over time, many people misplace their retainers and need a replacement. It’s also possible to damage retainers; we can sometimes repair them, but we may also need to replace them. 

One of the best ways to avoid the need for replacement is to practice good habits when storing your retainers. You need to remove them while eating and drinking, as well as when completing your dental hygiene routines. 

Placing your retainers in their designated container is a good way to be aware of their whereabouts at all times and protect them. It’s difficult to estimate how many retainers have been thrown in the garbage accidentally, but it’s not an insignificant number!

If you have additional questions about how retainers factor into your orthodontic treatment at Beaches Dentistry, or need to have your retainers repaired or replaced, call us today to schedule a visit. We also offer online booking as an option, allowing you to schedule an appointment at any time.