Retainers Specialist

Freedom Orthodontics

Brendan D. Smith, DDS, MS

Trusted Orthodontist serving Cedar Park, TX and Leander, TX

If you’ve finished your orthodontic treatment, a retainer can make sure your smile stays straight. At Freedom Orthodontics in Cedar Park, Texas, Brendan Smith, DDS, MS, provides high-quality retainers for a lifetime of healthy smiles. To learn more about how to get or replace a retainer, schedule a visit with Freedom Orthodontics by calling the office or booking online.

512-200-7032

Retainers Q&A

What is a retainer?

A retainer is a device used to maintain the results of your orthodontic treatment. While braces and Invisalign move your teeth into a better position in your mouth, retainers are necessary to keep them there.

How often and how long do I have to wear my retainer?

The length and frequency of your retainer use depends largely on the type of orthodontic treatment you’ve had and the overall condition of your mouth. A retainer can be a temporary requirement for some people and a lifetime necessity for others.

Dr. Smith may recommend that you wear your retainer every day for at least three months after you finish your orthodontic treatment. If, after those three months, your teeth look like they’re firmly rooted, you might be able to reduce the length and frequency of your use, such as wearing it for just a few hours during the day or only at night.

Dr. Smith gives you instructions specifically tailored to your particular situation. If you want to maintain the results of your orthodontic treatment, you need to follow those instructions.

Does my retainer require special care?

Your retainer needs daily care to stay clean and work properly. The good news is that retainers are easy to keep clean.

Make sure to brush your retainer once a day with toothpaste. Doing this will eliminate accumulated plaque and minimize odors and bacteria. Be careful to keep the water at a reasonable temperature when you’re cleaning your retainer, as it can be sensitive to extreme heat.

If you go swimming, be sure to remove your retainer before entering the water. Many people lose their retainers when they go swimming since they’re repeatedly opening and closing their mouths. And if you’re swimming in a public pool, the chemicals used to keep the pool clean can harm it.

It’s also important to not leave your retainer out in the open and accessible to pets. Regardless of how clean you keep your retainer, your pets will likely still be able to smell food on it and might try to take it. You can save yourself a lot of hassle keeping it in its case and in a safe place.

To learn more about caring for your retainer or to get your retainer for your smile, schedule a visit today at Freedom Orthodontics by calling the office or using the online booking tool.

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