|
 Retainer Instructions
Retainers are made out of wires , clasps and plastic and are
constructed for the purpose of holding teeth. They are placed after
the appliances have been removed, your teeth need to stabilize
while both the bone builds up around them. Since retainers are
removable, their use and care is entirely dependent upon the
patient. Strict attention to instructions is absolutely
necessary.
Wearing your retainers
Your retainers should be worn ALL the time except when eating at
home, brushing, participating in contact sports, or swimming ,where
they could not be retrieved, when your retainers are not in your
mouth, they should be kept in the case we provide and in a safe
place, do not put them on top of a table where they can get knocked
off or in a pocket where they may be easily cracked. Keep them away
from dogs as they will very quickly chew them if given the
opportunity.
When you are eating away from the home, you must take them out
but be sure NEVER, NEVER to wrap them in paper towel, napkin or
tissue. This is the most common way of losing them. ALWAYS put them
in the plastic retainer case we give you and ALWAYS KEEP THEM IN A
SAFE PLACE!!!!!
After the braces are removed, most patients must wear their
retainers all the time, 24 hours a day. In a year , if your teeth
seem stable, we will advise you to wear them only at night.
 Adjusting to retainers
• At first, your retainers
will feel bulky. Speech may be a problem and sometimes they will
cause a slight lisp. In a few days speech usually returns to
normal, so don’t worry about it.
• The day after you receive
your retainers your teeth may be a bit sore. This won’t last long .
Should sore spots develop ,call the office and we will adjust
them.
 Keeping Retainers
Clean & Safe
• Retainers need to be
cleaned 3-4 times a day and always after eating.
• Once or twice a week soak
them in retainer cleaner( available at a drug store)
• Brush both sides of the
retainer, use toothpaste too if you wish .
• Dropping your retainer
breaks it
• Flicking it up and down on
you teeth breaks the wires
• Don’t keep them in you
pocket and sit on them
Lost or Broken? Call the office immediately
613-966-1225
www.drbillhern.com
| 
