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Date issued: October 2022

Review date: October 2024

Ref: B-463/Orthodontics/JS/Retainer instructions v2

PDF:  Retainer instructions final October 2022 v2.pdf [pdf] 317KB

Congratulations! You have now reached the end of your fixed brace treatment and you have been sent one or two retainers. Retainers are designed to keep your teeth straight and they are a really important part of your treatment.

To fit, wash your hands thoroughly first. Then line your retainer up with your teeth and push the   retainer firmly down onto your teeth, ensuring that it is seated all the way down on all of your teeth, front and back.

You shouldn’t be able to see a gap between the edge of your teeth and the retainer.

Your retainer/s will feel very snug to start with, but they shouldn't feel uncomfortable or dig in anywhere.  If they do, please contact us straight away so we can advise you.

To remove the retainers, after washing your hands use your finger nails or end of your fingers to feel for the outside edge of the retainer, towards the back of your mouth. Then use a pulling motion on one side, then the other, to ‘shimmy’ the retainer down off the teeth.

Instructions for your Retainers

• Wear your retainers EVERY night (10 hours minimum)

• Your retainers may affect your speech and make you produce more saliva than usual to start with- this will settle down over the first week or so.

• Tooth brushing- before you put your retainers in, brush your teeth thoroughly using a fluoride toothpaste. Wear your retainers all night and in the morning, remove them and brush your teeth thoroughly again with fluoride toothpaste

• Keep your retainers clean- brush your retainer with a toothbrush and cold water. If your retainers need freshening up then you can use a special cleaner such as ‘Retainer Bright’ or Sterident or denture cleaning tablets. Do not use hot water or leave your retainers in a hot place otherwise the plastic may melt and distort.

• Don’t eat or drink while wearing your retainers- food and drink will collect in your retainers, damaging your teeth and the retainers (plain water is okay).

• Keep your retainers safe- when not wearing them, keep them safely in the pot we have sent you. The clear plastic retainers are very easy to lose and please keep them well away from dogs who really like the taste of them!

• We will charge you up to £60 to replace your retainers if you are careless and lose them.

• If you stop wearing your retainer there is a high chance your teeth will move. If this happens it may be difficult to correct and you are unlikely to be re-treated under the NHS. Therefore if you lose your retainer, or there is a problem that stops you from wearing your retainer, please inform us immediately.

• Continue seeing your own dentist for regular check ups

• We will see you in one year, unless you have a problem and need to see us sooner. Please bring your retainers with you to your appointment. We make carry out this check virtually,   using our Attend Anywhere video consultation.

If you have any questions about your retainers or their fit please phone the Orthodontic Department on (01752) 432983