Retainer Care Guide | Elate Orthodontics
Congratulations on Completing Your Orthodontic Treatment! 🎉
You have worked hard to achieve a beautiful, healthy smile, and now it is time to protect it. Wearing retainers is a lifelong commitment that helps keep your teeth in their perfect position and prevents unwanted shifting.
At Elate Orthodontics, we provide expert retainer care instructions to ensure your smile stays just as perfect as the day your braces came off.
Why Retainers Are Important
🦷 Teeth have a natural tendency to shift, no matter your age or how healthy your mouth is. Even small movements over time can undo years of treatment and require retreatment. Wearing your retainers as directed is the only thing standing between your finished smile and that outcome.
Think of retention the same way you think about any other part of your body that changes over time. Your muscles need exercise to stay strong. Your skin needs care to stay healthy. Your teeth need retainers to stay straight. It is not a phase of treatment. It is a permanent part of maintaining your results.
Your retainer is your insurance against shifting teeth. Keeping up with wear and maintenance is the simplest thing you can do to protect everything you have invested in your smile. Learn more about our Retainer Assurance Program for long-term peace of mind.
How to Wear Your Retainers
Full-Time Wear
✔️ Wear your retainers full-time, including while sleeping.
✔️ Remove only when eating, drinking (except water), and brushing.
At-Home Wear
✔️ Wear your retainers only at home. No need to take them to work or school.
Nighttime Wear
✔️ Wear your retainers nighttime only for long-term retention.
✔️ If you notice any shifting, increase wear time and let us know right away.
💡 Important: Only reduce your hours of wear if your teeth do not feel sore when you put the retainers in. Soreness when inserting them is a sign your teeth have shifted and need more wear time, not less.
How to remove your retainers safely:
Every Smile is Different
These wear recommendations work for most people, but not everyone. If you ever feel like your teeth are shifting, contact us right away. We can make adjustments to your retainer plan to ensure the best long-term outcome.
Concerned about shifting or want to make sure you are protected? Learn more about our Retainer Assurance Program.
How to Take Care of Your Retainers
Keeping Them Fresh
✔️ Always use room temperature water. Hot water will warp them.
✔️ Gently scrub with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Do not use toothpaste as it scratches the surface.
✔️ You may use mild hand soap or mouthwash for extra cleaning.
✔️ Soak them in denture cleaner (if no allergies) for a deeper clean.
Keeping Them Safe
✔️ Always store your retainers in their case when not wearing them.
✔️ Keep the case away from pets and children. They love to chew on retainers!
Lost or Broken Retainers? Act Fast!
🚨 If your retainers are lost or damaged, contact us right away. Teeth can shift in just a few days without retainers, and once they move it may require new impressions or additional orthodontic treatment.
If you need replacement retainers, we offer affordable options and our Retainer Assurance Program can help protect you against the cost of replacements long term.
📞 Call or text us at 972-538-4343 as soon as you lose or damage your retainers.
We Are Here to Help!
Need a replacement retainer or have questions? Call or text us at 972-538-4343.
📍 Visit us at:
✨ Smile on! Your journey does not end here. It lasts a lifetime. Let us keep your smile looking amazing.
Helpful Resources & Related Pages:
📌 Retainers After Braces: What You Need to Know