Keeping Your Teeth Straight After The Braces Come Off

Here at the Seattle orthodontics office of Dr. Jorge Peralta, we are always happy for our patients who are having their braces removed. It is a very exciting day for both the patient and the staff. After your braces come off however, orthodontic treatment is not necessarily complete. In order to maintain your beautiful, straight smile, retainers must be worn to hold your teeth in place while the gums, ligaments and bones adapt to their new positions.

Your teeth will always try to return back home, so it is very important that you wear your retainers according to the specific recommendations of Dr. Peralta:

• Wear your retainers full time, until Dr. Peralta instructs otherwise.
• Take your retainers out when eating and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunchrooms or restaurants.)
• Clean your retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors. Retainer Brite 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!
• Remove retainers when swimming.
• Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.
• 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!

If you have any questions about how to care for your retainers or if you have broken or lost yours, please contact Orthodontics of Burien and one of our friendly staff members will be happy to assist you. Our Seattle orthodontist Dr. Jorge Peralta offers high quality orthodontic care using metal braces, clear ceramic braces and Invisalign for patients in and around Seattle, Burien, Normandy Park, Seatac, Tukwila, Renton, and Des Moines, WA.