It’s important to keep your retainer in a good condition for years after your orthodontic treatment ends, so replacement retainers are sometimes necessary!
After you or your child has finished the orthodontic treatment process through braces or Line-M-Up™, you’ll of course want to make sure that you’re making the most out of these investments by ensuring that your smile looks and feels great for the long-term.
This is one of the many reasons why it’s so important to consistently wear your retainer after your treatment is completed, but the truth is that no retainer is meant to last forever. A lot of people will continue to wear retainers that really ought to be replaced, so below we’ll be going over some care tips and warning signs associated with your retainer!
How You Should Take Care Of Your Retainer
Retainers aren’t cheap, so it’s important to always do your due diligence in getting the most out of them prior to actually needing a replacement. This is why you should always properly store your retainer in its case when it isn’t in your mouth, and you should make sure that you’re storing it in a location that isn’t going to be too hot. One tip is to put your retainer case in a designated spot of your home when you’re not using it, because this will decrease the chances of you losing it or accidentally taking it out of your home when you’re out and about.
It’s also important to always take your retainer out of your mouth prior to drinking anything besides cold water or eating any snacks/meals, partly because it’s possible for retainers to become warped or stained from certain foods and drinks.
You should also utilize a soaking solution for your retainer on a regular basis, and your retainer should be rinsed off regularly to avoid calcium and bacteria buildup. Although some people think that denture fluid or mouthwash can be good enough cleaning solutions for retainers, the truth is that these products have different purposes and the chemicals can be too harsh on retainers.
And if your retainer does somehow get lost or broken, it’ll be crucial that you reach out to the JK Orthodontics team to get your replacement as soon as possible.
5 Common Signs That Indicate It’s Time For A Replacement Retainer
Retainers simply need to be replaced every now and again if they’re going to continue to be as effective as possible, and the following are some warning signs to keep in mind that indicate your retainer is past its prime:
- You can see small tears or cracks developing on parts of your retainer
- You don’t feel the correct snapping into place when you put your retainer on, and it doesn’t stay in place
- Your retainer is experiencing calcium buildup and appears milky/cloudy
- You left your retainer in a hot location, and now it has become warped
- Your dog found your retainer and chewed it up
Although there are many different warning signs associated with needing a replacement retainer, the above signs are some of the most common that we come across. We also recommend that patients obtain a replacement retainer every 4-5 years even when they’ve taken good care of theirs, and this is because it’ll better ensure that your retainer has the strength it needs to keep your teeth in their perfect positioning.
Our Retainer Replacement Program
Here at JK Orthodontics, we want to ensure that each and every one of our patients is able to properly take care of their new smile long after treatment has ended. That’s why our team is always ready to support you with making replacement retainers when it’s needed.
We can also schedule replacements within a set of intervals, including on a biannual or annual basis. If for any reason your retainer needs replacing sooner than you expected, just contact one of our offices and we’ll get a brand new retainer to you as soon as possible.
Reach out to us online or call us at 614-766-0330 (Dublin office) or 614-471-6355 (Gahanna office) to learn more about what you can except from our orthodontic treatment, and how we can help you take care of your new smile for the long-term after your treatment has ended!