Lost or Damaged Retainers
If your retainer is lost or damaged, contact our office immediately. Delays in replacing your retainer can lead to unwanted tooth movement, which may require additional treatment to correct.
Tips for Happy Living With Your Braces
Your teeth and jaws have been carefully aligned into their ideal positions & now it’s time to maintain those results. Your new retainer plays a critical role in keeping your smile straight and beautiful for years to come.
Permanence of Correction
Believe it or not, teeth naturally shift throughout life. Even people with “naturally straight” teeth experience changes in alignment over time. Since you’ve worked hard to achieve your perfect smile, it’s essential to preserve it with consistent retainer wear. Don’t let your efforts go to waste—wear your retainer and keep your smile stunning!
First 4 Months
After 4 Months
The safest way to preserve your smile is to wear your retainers every night indefinitely. However, some patients ask for alternative options. We may recommend one of the following plans:
Use your fingers to gently place the retainer in your mouth. Never bite it into position.
Brush your retainer daily and occasionally soak it in denture cleaner to keep it fresh.
Keep your retainer away from hot water, sunlight, or other heat sources, as they can warp the shape and affect the fit.
Avoid flipping or chewing on your retainer, and do not eat or chew gum while wearing it.
Always store your retainer in its case when not in use. Never wrap it in a napkin, leave it on a plate, or put it in your pocket—it could be lost, damaged, or accidentally thrown away.
Pets are often drawn to retainers and can chew or hide them.
If your retainer is lost or damaged, contact our office immediately. Delays in replacing your retainer can lead to unwanted tooth movement, which may require additional treatment to correct.
Wearing your retainer as instructed is the only way to ensure your teeth remain in their correct positions. Teeth can shift back surprisingly quickly without consistent retainer wear, so stay committed to your retainer routine to protect your smile.
Retainers don’t last forever and will eventually wear out or become less effective. Depending on the type of retainer and your level of care, they may need to be replaced every 1-5 years.
Don’t forget to schedule a cleaning and checkup with your general dentist after completing your orthodontic treatment. Regular dental visits every six months remain crucial to maintaining your oral health.
We would love to meet you in person or virtually! Please fill out the form below or give us a call at (650) 331-1171 to schedule your first appointment. We look forward to seeing you here!
