After you’ve put in all the hard work of straightening your teeth with Invisalign or metal braces, you deserve to have beautiful straight teeth for the rest of your life which is where your retainer comes in. Retention is the process that allows your gums and jaw to set your newly straightened smile in place, making sure that your teeth don’t just slide back into their old position. Here at Sonneveld Orthodontics, your local provider of orthodontics in Orland Park, our mission is to provide our patients with high-quality, long-lasting dental care, which is why Dr. Sonneveld often recommends retention. Find out why retention is so important and what you can do to keep your retainer clean and doing its job!

Always Use Your Retainer Case!

Your retainer is made from a polymer that is strong enough to hold your teeth in place, but it can still be damaged by being thrown haphazardly into a purse or pocket. Make sure you keep your retainer case on you at all times so you can safely store your retainer while you eat or play your favorite sport! Reach out to your local orthodontist in Orland Park to replace or get another retainer case.

Brushing Without Toothpaste

Brushing your retainer is essential for keeping it clean and making sure it doesn’t smell bad, but if you brush it incorrectly you can permanently damage your retainer. The grittiness of toothpaste can scratch and erode your retainer, so make sure you brush with a soft-bristled brush and a gentle soap/retainer cleaner! Talk to your Orland Park braces expert to learn more about what you should use to brush your retainer.

Deep Clean Once A Week

When it comes to cleaning your retainer, you want to make sure that no bacteria is growing in the retainer itself. The easiest way to do this is to clean your retainer on a daily basis, but if it should start building up deposits you can try the following for a deep clean. Use a mild dish soap such as Dawn to soak, then gently scrub with a toothbrush and rinse. Or try a 1:1 ratio of vinegar and water, soaking for 5-10 minutes and scrub with a toothbrush and rinse. There are also commercial products like Retainer Brite which is safe for clear retainers. By deep cleaning once a week you can ensure that your retainer does its job without jeopardizing the cleanliness of your teeth! Dr. Sonneveld can answer any other questions you may have about deep cleaning your retainer.

Visit Your Orland Park Braces Expert!

One of the best ways to make sure your retainer is doing its job well is to visit your local provider of orthodontics in Orland Park, Dr. Sonneveld. Here At Sonneveld Orthodontics, we can quickly make sure that your retainer is holding your teeth in place and advise you on how to keep your retainer sparkling clean as well. Contact us today to learn more about how to clean your retainer or to schedule an appointment!