Orthodontic Retainers | How To Avoid Mold & Black Spots

Orthodontic retainers. Getting your braces off is an exciting time. While braces are the most efficient way to get the smile of your dreams, there are a lot of rules surrounding what you can and can’t do with your braces. The upkeep may be annoying, but the end result is well worth it. But if you’re given orthodontic retainers after you get your brackets and wires off, you’re not quite out of the clear yet. There are a few care tips you need to know how to take care of your retainers. Let’s get cracking.

 

What Sort of Retainers are There?

You’ll find two types of retainers in use across the world. Both of these orthodontic devices have the same results. It will depend on the orthodontic treatment you had done and the orthodontist’s expertise in terms of what is most effective. Your choices will be:

• Permanent retainer – These are fixed to the roof of the mouth and are made of plastic and wire. getting used to this takes a while but they are effective. They are also known as fixed retainers.
• Removable retainer – A removable retainer is a clear plastic aligner and is made of a more rigid material than an Invisalign aligner. You can remove these while eating and cleaning.

Top Retainers Care Tips from Your Orthodontist

Always listen to your orthodontist for tips relevant to your particular smile. However, here are some of the top tips you need to know to properly maintain your retainer.

Clean to Avoid Mold and Black Spots

If you only need to wear your retainer for certain times of the day, you’ll want to ensure it is properly stored when you’re not wearing it. You should be given a special case for your retainer to set it in when it isn’t being used. Storing your retainer without properly cleaning it means it could grow bacteria and mold.

If you put a bacteria or mold-covered retainer in your mouth, you risk infection or getting sick. Always brush your retainer before you put it in your case. Let it soak in a cup of water and baking soda every so often to ensure you’re getting all the bacteria you may have missed.

Always Remove Your Retainer Before Eating

Remember when you had to be careful not to let food get trapped in your brackets and wires? The same idea applies to your new retainer. When food gets trapped, it allows bacteria to grow. Because your retainer can cover more of your mouth, it is easy for food to get trapped.

This trapped food can cause plaque to develop, hurting your oral health. Always take your retainer out before you eat. Put it away in its case or set it on top of clean tissue or napkin. But be careful not to throw your retainer out with the rest of your trash!

Brush with Your Retainers Out

While you may think you can kill two birds with one stone by brushing your teeth and retainer in one go, your retainer actually covers too much of your mouth for this to be efficient. Your retainer may also be holding onto bacteria or food that you won’t be able to reach while it is still in.

 In the mornings, brush and floss before you put your retainer in. At night, take your retainer out before you brush and floss again. If you’re looking to save time, pop your retainer in a cup of water and baking soda to soak while brushing and flossing.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals or Boiling Your Retainer

Properly cleaning your retainer is crucial for keeping your mouth, teeth, and gums healthy. For the most part, using just toothpaste and water should be enough to clean your remove bacteria and leftover food. If you’re looking too deep clean your retainer, allow it to soak in a mixture of water and baking soda or vinegar.

You could also potentially use a denture tablet. These are also great options for cleaning Invisalign retainers. However, you should never try to clean your retainer by using alcohol-based products or boiling it in hot water. Both can be damaging to the retainer’s plastic and may even cause it to change shape.

 

 

Don’t Wear Your Retainer While Playing Sports

Retainers are expensive and annoying to replace if they’re lost or damaged. While you can’t avoid any action that may cause damage to your retainer, you should avoid wearing it in certain circumstances. If you play a sport where you may get hit in the mouth, you don’t want to risk damage to your retainer.

Whether you have a traditional retainer or an Invisalign retainer, take it out while at practice or a game. Even sports you may not think of – like swimming – could be dangerous for your retainer. You don’t want to stop swim practice because your retainer is lost somewhere in the pool!

If you play contact sports, such as basketball, football or hockey, be sure to talk to your orthodontist about getting a special mouthguard. A properly-made mouth guard can replace your retainer during practices or games and protect your new smile from damage.

 

 

Orthodontic Retainers | 5 EPIC FACTS FOR MOMS