It's Retainer Time...

Information About Retainers:

Þ Retainers don’t work if you don’t

wear them!

Þ Retainers should be worn 24

hours a day, unless Dr. Henry advises otherwise.

Þ Generally, the 24-hour rule applies to the first

6-9 months after your braces are removed. After

6-9 months, you can typically revert to wearing the

retainers only while sleeping.  Dr. Henry will let you

know when it is all right to wear the retainer(s)

at night only.

Þ You should remove your retainer(s) when

eating, brushing, flossing, or playing sports,

including swimming.

Þ A retainer should feel snug, but not sharp, rough

or painful.  Please call Dr. Henry if youexperience

 inordinate discomfort, or if you get a sore spot or

ulcer on your gums.

Þ Remove and replace the retainer(s) as

instructed.  Do not “click” it out with your tongue!

Þ Whenever you take your retainer(s) out, place

them IMMEDIATELY in your retainer case, to

decrease the possibility of losing or breaking

the retainer(s).  DO NOT wrap the retainer(s) in

a napkin or place it / them in your pocket.

Þ You will feel as if your speech is affected by

wearing the retainer for the first one or twodays. 

Try reading a book out loud the first day – this

will help you adapt.

Þ The retainer(s) should be brushed with a

toothbrush and toothpaste (or soap) and rinsed

thoroughly to maintain cleanliness, one-to-two

times per day.

Þ Do not use any hot water or harsh chemicals

to clean your retainer.  Denture cleaners like

Efferdent or rinses like Scope will help keep

the retainer(s) fresh.  However, do not keep

the retainer(s) in liquids for extended periods

of time, as this may lead to bacterial and fungal

growth on the appliances.

Þ Do not leave the retainer(s) in a car in hot

weather… it  they can distort or melt!

Þ Dogs and cats like to play with and chew on

retainers.  Watch out if you have animals.

Þ If a retainer wire gets bent, do not try to straighten it.  Please call our office.

Þ If you lose or break a retainer, please call

our office right away.  There will likely be a

charge for repair or replacement.

Þ Download This Information

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Southern Pines, North Carolina 28387
910.692.7965
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