Dr. Beth on the importance of retainers

Have you recently completed treatment at Faber Orthodontics? If so, our entire staff would like to congratulate you again! Job well done! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Beth Faber will provide retainers for you, which you'll wear every day, right? After braces are removed, Dr. Beth will you teeth may shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, however, provide that stabilization, and are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Beth is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.

Remember to:

* Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise.
* Take your retainers out when eating… and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
* Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors. Efferdent® or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used, but do not take the place of brushing.
* When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer 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 them faster.
* Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken call us immediately.
* If you have any questions or concerns about your retainers, or your retainers need adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust them yourself.
* Always bring your retainers to your appointments.
* Retainer replacement is expensive… with proper care they will last for years!
* Remove retainers when swimming.
* Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.

To learn more more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment, please ask Dr. Beth or our team during your next adjustment visit!