How many hours per day do you need to wear a retainer?

If you have a bonded retainer, you’ll be wearing it all day and all night. But if you have a removable retainer, the rules are a little bit different. You may receive different instructions depending on your specific treatment needs.

The typical guideline for a removable retainer is to wear it full time, except for mealtimes and cleanings, for the first 1 – 2 months after your braces are removed. After that time, you will only wear them at night while you sleep.

How long do you need to wear a retainer after getting your
braces removed?

Dr. Tom will strongly encourage you to wear your removable retainers after treatment with braces is complete.

You never stop needing to wear retainers at night. You will need to replace your retainer every 6 – 8 months.

No matter what kind of retainer is best for you, you will continue treatment with them indefinitely.

What happens if I don’t wear my retainer?

Throughout your life, your teeth move. If you’ve had braces already, you’re familiar with the fact that the location of your teeth in your mouth is subject to change according to factors such as your age and wearing orthodontic appliances.

Just because your orthodontic treatment is finished doesn’t mean that your teeth are going to stay in place.

If you don’t wear your retainer according to your orthodontist’s instructions, your teeth will tend to shift back into their old placement. This is known as relapsing. If you don’t wear your retainer, you may need orthodontic intervention again within several years, or even sooner.

If you try to skip wearing your retainer for a couple of weeks or months, your teeth may shift, and your retainer may not fit your teeth properly anymore.

Do I have to clean my retainer?

Since you wear a retainer, you might be wondering how to care for it. Your retainer sits inside your mouth and against your teeth, so it quickly accumulates bacteria, plaque, and tartar. Just like you brush your teeth every day, it’s important to clean your retainer every day.

Many people need to wear a retainer full time for a while after they have their braces removed. This is because teeth aren’t set in a rigid environment. Even after they’ve been corrected by braces and moved into a better position, they can shift over time.

Retainers help the muscles and tissues in your mouth hold teeth in their new
placement. Patients need to wear their retainers at night indefinitely to keep teeth in place.

Keeping your retainer clean helps protect your teeth. In the case of a removable retainer, it can also extend its life span.

Here’s more about the different types of retainers, how to clean them, and other tips to keep them well-maintained.

What’s the best way to keep your retainer clean?

Cleaning varies by type. Caring for your retainer starts with identifying which kind you have. This will cover 2 types of retainers:

• Fixed or bonded retainers: These may also be called permanent retainers. This type or retainer may be recommended for several reasons, one being if you have a high risk of having your teeth shifting. You can’t remove this type of retainer. It’s usually put into place for months or even years. Should this type of retainer become detached or break it will need to be replaced promptly.
• Clear plastic retainers: If this is the type Dr. Tom recommends for your continued treatment, 2 custom made sets will be provided to you by Fast Braces^® Fresno. These retainers slip over your teeth and are pretty much invisible. They’re fairly easy to remove and will keep your teeth exactly where they are when your braces are removed.

How to clean your retainers:

Fixed / bonded retainers:

These may also be called permanent retainers. These are attached to your front teeth so you must floss them daily to keep them clean. This type or retainer may be recommended for several reasons, one being if you have a high risk of having your teeth shifting. You can’t remove this type of retainer. It’s usually put into place for months or even years. Should this type of retainer become detached or break it will need to be replaced promptly.

How to keep a bonded retainer clean

A bonded retainer will need to be cleaned as part of your regular dental hygiene routine. Since you can’t remove a fixed retainer, you’ll need to floss your retainer (and the front of your teeth) with a floss threader. Also, make sure to angle your toothbrush vertically as well as horizontally to get rid of any plaque buildup or food particles around & under your fixed retainer. This takes some practice, but you’ll get the hang of it.

Here’s how to clean your permanent retainer:

1. Grab a 6-inch piece of floss and use a floss threader to thread the floss between your two front lower teeth.
2. Hold one end of the floss with your fingers and the other with the threader.
3. Once you get the floss under your retainer wire, simply move it up and down
between the teeth all the way to the gum line. The floss should gently go below
the gum line if possible.
4. Slide the floss sideways to the next area you want to clean. Pull down until it’s between your teeth.
5. Repeat this process with each tooth that’s attached to your permanent retainer.

If you’re having a hard time flossing, don’t hesitate to ask for help from us. We are happy to help guide your technique and provide more tips.

Clear plastic retainers

How to keep a removable retainer clean

Clean your removable retainer with lukewarm water and a soft brush every time you remove it. Rinsing your retainer when it’s still wet with your saliva will keep food from hardening on your retainer.

Talk to Dr. Tom to see if he recommends you can use a special soaking product to soak your retainer in between uses.

Clear plastic retainers can be removed from your mouth for daily cleaning.

To clean your clear plastic retainer, follow these steps:

1. Make sure you clean your retainer as soon as you remove it from your mouth,
while it’s still wet. This will make it easier to clean off any debris before it
hardens.
2. Brush out your retainer with lukewarm water after each meal. It’s a good idea to brush your teeth at this time as well.
3. For a deeper clean, mix lukewarm water with mild dish soap or tooth polish. Use a soft toothbrush or denture brush to gently scrub away plaque and other debris.
4. If food debris gets trapped in your retainer, use a clean cotton swab dipped in water a small brush or a water flosser to clean it out. Never boil your retainer in water or wash it in the dishwasher. This will disform your retainer and it will need to be replaced.
5. You can also soak your retainer in a denture or retainer cleaner, for example
Efferdent or Polident. If you choose soaking, mix a cup of lukewarm water with
one tablet of cleaner and follow the package instructions for timing.

Should you notice debris on your retainer that won’t come off, bring it to our office to see about cleaning suggestions or, if needed, replacement through The Retainer Club exclusively at Fast Braces^® Fresno.

6 tips for removable retainer care

1. Avoid heat

Exposing your retainer to high heat, of any kind, can warp and ruin it. Keep your retainer away from:

• boiling water
• microwaves
• dishwashers
• washers and dryers
• the dashboard of your car

Always wash retainers in lukewarm water.

2. Skip the chemicals

You don’t necessarily need to use harsh cleansers to get a squeaky-clean retainer. In fact, one study on plastic retainers, researchers discovered that using chemical cleaning tablets didn’t reduce the number of bacteria any more than simple brushing did.

That being said, the tablets were effective at removing “cocci” bacteria,
like Streptococcus bacteria, the cause of strep throat. Strep throat is an infection in the throat and tonsils that causes a sore throat, fever, and red, swollen tonsils.

3. Time your soak

If you do choose to use tablets to clean your retainers, clean them for the length of time as specified on your cleaning tablet’s instructions.

You can do a quick mouthwash soak if you want to freshen your retainer’s smell and kill some bacteria. Be sure to mix equal parts mouthwash and lukewarm water.

If your mouthwash contains alcohol, only soak your retainers in this type of a solution occasionally. Alcohol can harm your retainer’s plastic.

4. Clean your case

Also make sure to clean your retainer case regularly. It is a good practice to clean it weekly. Be sure to gently scrub all surfaces of it in warm, soapy water. Then rinse it off and pat to dry before you put your retainer away.

5. Keep watch

You’ll want to keep your retainers away from pets so they don’t chew or choke on the plastic. Likewise, be mindful of where you place your retainer while you’re eating. If you place it on a napkin, you may forget it or accidentally toss it in the trash. Placing them too close to a heat source could deform them, causing them to no longer fit.

6. Replace as needed

Retainers are somewhat like contact lenses or shoes: They’re subject to daily wear and tear. Eventually, they may need to be replaced. Most retainers last about six – eight months. The plastic tends to stretch or wear out.

Contact us at Fast Braces^® Fresno as soon as you notice that your retainers are cracked, particularly dirty, worn out, or no longer fits properly.

What happens if you don’t clean your retainers?

Your retainer will keep collecting bacteria, plaque, and tartar from your mouth while you wear it. Over time, it may even start to smell or taste funny if you don’t clean it often enough.

More importantly, retainers can harbor dangerous bacteria like Streptococcus,
including S. sanguinis, S. mitis, and S. salivarius, in addition to Lactobacillus and Veillonella. While many bacteria are normally found in the mouth, when too many build up, they can cause health problems.

You may also become exposed to Candida albicans. This is detrimental yeast that’s normally found inside the mouth, but it may accumulate on your retainer and cause an infection.

Streptococcus and Candida may not be big threats if you have a healthy immune system. If your immune system is compromised in some way, though, you need to be more careful. Let your dentist know right away if you notice any redness, swelling, or other worrisome symptoms in your mouth.

The bottom line

No matter if it is bonded or removable, cleaning your retainers is just as important as brushing your teeth. You need to clean your retainers by flossing & brushing or in warm water and dish soap or cleaner once a day to keep your mouth healthy. It’s a good idea to brush your teeth after each meal, as well, especially if you are wearing daytime retainers or have fixed retainers.

Takeaway

Wearing a retainer according to Dr. Tom’s instructions is essential to maintaining the results of your braces.

Your instructions will vary according to your specific needs. Some people need to wear a retainer all day, every day for a couple months, while others will be instructed to wear day retainers for many months.

Everyone will need to wear their retainers while sleeping indefinitely, after your braces have been removed to maintain the position of their teeth.

While a lifelong commitment to your retainer may be intimidating, it’s important to preserve a healthy mouth, straight teeth and a beautiful smile for life.