A retainer is a device that is worn in the mouth to keep teeth straight after orthodontic treatment. There are two main categories of retainers. One is a fixed retainer that is cemented onto the teeth. the other is a removable retainer that can be removed and cleaned. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.
How long does my child need to wear their retainer?
Once teeth are straightened, retainers should be worn every night while the patient is sleeping, forever. Teeth have a tendency to want to move toward the position that they were in originally before they were straightened. So wear those retainers!
Will the retainer affect my child’s everyday life?
The only change is that your child needs to wear the retainer as prescribed. Otherwise, the effect on their daily life should be minimal.
How should we care for the retainer?
Keeping a retainer clean is very important. If they are not cleaned daily, retainers can become gross and discolored. When a retainer is not being worn, simply let it soak in retainer cleaner in room temperature or colder environments. If retainers are heated too much, they can warp. Prior to wearing retainers, use a toothbrush and quickly brush them under cool running water.
