Retainer Do's and Don'ts

• Please wear your retainers as advised; otherwise your teeth may relapse. This can occur very quickly. The retainers do exactly what the name implies: they "retain" your teeth.
  
  
• It is very important that you wear the retainers 24 hours a day, unless otherwise instructed.
  
  
• It takes a few days to get used to speaking with retainers in. Practice by reading aloud or singing!
  
  
• Dr. Williams will continue to monitor your teeth/retainer for one year after removing the braces.
  
  
• Bring ALL retainers with you to your appointed retainer checks. Dr. Williams will let you know when you can reduce wear.
  
  
• Take your retainer out to eat/drink
  
  
• Be sure to keep retainers in a safe place such as the retainer box we have provided
  
  
• Keep retainers away from pets. They love to chew them up!
  
  
• DO NOT wrap retainers in a napkin or put them in your pocket, they could get bent, broken, or even worse, thrown away!
  
  
• Keep retainers at room temperature when not being worn. If left out in the hot sun, your retainers may get distorted from the heat. DO NOT use hot water to clean.
  
  
• Plaque can build up on your retainers. Once it hardens, it is almost impossible to remove. This can make your retainer smell and taste bad.
  
  
• To clean the retainers without a wire (essix), use mild hand soap. Toothpaste is too abrasive and will scratch these clear retainers. To clean the retainers with a wire (hawley), you may use a toothbrush and toothpaste. Be sure to hold in the palm of your hand and clean both sides.
  
  
• Efferdent or retainer brite is recommended to clean either retainer. You may freshen your retainer by soaking in mouth wash, not to exceed 5 minutes or it can distort.
  
  
• If your retainer becomes uncomfortable, painful, is lost, or is damaged, please call the office as soon as possible. A fee may apply for repaired or replaced retainers.
  
  
• If retainers are not worn as instructed your teeth may shift. This may require for you to be re-treated at an additional fee.

HAWLEY RETAINER

ESSIX RETAINER