You teeth can and will move after the braces are removed. You may notice that your teeth feel loose or a little sore after braces come off. This is normal, and over the next several months, they will tighten up.

Your retainers are designed to hold the teeth in the correct position. However, they WILL NOT be able to hold your front teeth perfectly straight as you lose the rest of your baby teeth. A small amount of shifting is normal and will be corrected during the next phase of treatment if you need another phase when all the adult teeth erupt.

Wear your retainers for 10 – 12 hours per day for the first two months. This means wearing them while you sleep and for a few hours every night before you go to bed. After the first two months, you can simply sleep in your retainers EVERY night for a minimum of six months. The doctor will monitor the loss of your baby teeth and may continue to have you wear the retainers for longer than six months. At some point, you will lose enough baby teeth that the retainer will no longer fit. The doctor should ALWAYS confirm that it is okay to stop wearing the retainer.

It will take you a few days to get used to the retainers. You will have increased saliva, possible drooling, and some slurring to your speech. This will get better as you wear your retainers.

Clean your retainer by brushing it with toothpaste BEFORE and AFTER you wear it. You can soak it in mouth wash for 10 minutes or in other ORTHODONTIC-SAFE denture/retainer cleaner, but do not leave it for long periods of time. NEVER “disinfect” your retainer by placing it in a dishwasher, microwave, or other steam cleaner.

Only remove retainers with your fingers. NEVER flip them out with your tongue or bite them into place. THIS WILL BREAK THEM.

Remember:
• When not in your mouth, always place your retainers in a case.
• DO NOT eat or chew gum with your retainers in place.
• Do not leave them where pets can get to them. They will chew them up.
• Never leave your retainer in a hot car—it will melt.

Please always bring your retainers to your follow-up appointments!