Retainers

When you’ve invested so much time and energy into your new smile, you’ll want to protect it by wearing your retainer.

• Always wear your retainer until Dr. Ken Dillehay or Dr. JK Dillehay tells you otherwise.
• Take your retainer out when eating, and always put it back in its case!
• (Most people lose appliances in school lunchrooms and restaurants.)
• Clean the retainer thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
• Use warm but not hot water.
• Brushing retainers removes the plaque and eliminates odors.
• You can use Efferdent or other orthodontic appliance cleaners, but they don’t take the place of brushing.
• When your retainer is not in your mouth, it should ALWAYS be in its case.
• Pets love to chew on them!
• Initially, you may find it difficult to speak.
• Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to it faster.
• Retainers are breakable, so treat yours with care.
• If your retainer gets lost or broken, call us immediately.
• Call us if you have any questions or concerns about your retainer or believe it needs adjusting. Do not try to adjust it yourself.
• Always bring your retainer to your appointments.
• Retainer replacements are expensive, but they’ll last for years with proper care!
• Remove your retainer when you go swimming.
• Keep retainers away from hot water, car dashboards, pockets, washing machines, and napkins.