If you've had braces to correct the structure and positioning of your teeth, our dentists may recommend getting retainers once you remove the braces. Retainers help prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original position after removing braces.
Depending on your treatment plan, you may be required to wear the retainer for several years and even at night. As a result, cleaning your retainers is vital for proper dental hygiene. Different retailers have different ways of being cleaned. This article discusses how to clean fixed retainers, also known as permanent retainers. These retainers are bonded o your teeth, making it vital for you to brush and floss them daily.
Flossing
We recommend using a floss threader to thread the dental floss in the section you want to clean. It would be best to use your fingers to hold the threader and the other end of the floss. Once the dental floss is right under your retainer, just move it up and down, dragging it all the way to the gum line. It would help if you did this severally until the section is clean. After cleaning the first section, slide the dental floss sideways to the next section. Thread the floss between the teeth and move it up and down to your gum line. Repeat this process until you have cleaned all the teeth attached to your retainer.
Consequences of not cleaning your retainer
We highly advise against failure to clean your retainer. If not cleaned regularly, your retainer will harbor different kinds of bacteria, causing your mouth to produce a foul smell and the retainer to have an abnormal taste. These bacteria may accumulate, leading to infections which are dangerous to your overall health. Call our offices for more information on how to clean your retainer. We are happy to have you.
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If you've had braces to correct the structure and positioning of your teeth, our dentists may recommend getting retainers once you remove the braces. Retainers help prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original position after removing braces.