Retention

When Dr. Hulse removes your braces, we will begin the retention stage of your treatment. We recommend wearing your retainer for life. Teeth will always tend to shift as we age. The only way to stop that from happening is by wearing your retainer.

Lower and Upper Retainer Wear and Care

Wear

• Unless Dr. Hulse gives you special instructions, wear the retainer at all times. Only remove the retainer during meals, to clean it and to brush and floss your teeth.
• Avoid flipping the retainer with your tongue. This could cause damage to your teeth and the appliance.
• Following placement, your speech should normalize within a few days. The "plastic taste" of the appliance will decrease quickly.
• Discomfort from the retainer should decrease in a few days. If you notice a sore spot after three or four days, please call us.

Care

• To clean the retainer, brush with toothpaste using warm water. Occasionally clean the appliance with denture cleaner.
• When the retainer is not in your mouth, put it in the case.
• Keep the appliance away from pets.

It is important that you bring your retainer with you to each appointment. Your final orthodontic result depends on your retainers, so follow through with the hard work you’ve put in so far. Remember to remove your retainer before brushing, and brush your retainer before placing it back in your mouth.