To help your teeth maintain their new position, follow Dr. Shirck's instructions for wearing your custom-made retainer.
Bring your retainer to each follow-up appointment with Dr. Shirck.
Retainers should be cleaned once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. The purpose of cleaning a retainer is to remove plaque and odors. A denture cleaner will also help but shouldn't be substituted for regular cleaning with a toothbrush.
Do not expose your retainer to hot or boiling water. Use warm water only.
Remove your retainer when eating, otherwise you will damage it.
When you're not wearing your retainer, store it in a protective case. Many patients lose their retainer because they don't keep it somewhere safe.
Patients who are still learning to wear a retainer should practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud.
