3 Bad Habits CanSpell Trouble for Your Retainers 

Retainers play the invaluable role of holding your teeth stable as bone remodeling continues after braces come off. Unfortunately, treating your retainers the wrong way could cause irreparable damage, making them uncomfortable or ineffective. Here are three bad habits that can spell trouble for your retainers and how to prevent problems.

The human mouth is home to more than 6 billion bacteria, which is why your oral hygiene routine is so important. If you don't brush and floss your teeth, these bacteria can build around your gum line, creating toxins as byproducts that impact the gum tissue. Unfortunately, brushing and flossing carefully is less effective if you pop in a filthy retainer.

While your mouth is cleaner after brushing in the evening, oral microbes can accumulate on the surface of your retainer. Additionally, if your hands aren't clean as you insert and remove your retainer, you could cover it in grime.

In fact, microbiological studies on retainers showed that 50% contained dangerous bacteria like Candida and Staphylococcus, potentially threatening the health of immunocompromised wearers.

Fortunately, you can keep your retainer clean and safe by brushing it just like you brush your teeth. Dentists suggest that you brush your retainer with a non-abrasive toothpaste and rinse it thoroughly with warm water to eliminate bacteria.

If you are sick or taking medication that suppresses your immunity, soak your retainer in an antimicrobial solution like effervescent denture cleaner to help you avoid illness.

In addition to preventing illness, a clean retainer may also prevent surface staining and bad breath, helping you to stay more confident as you use your appliance.

Since a well-fitting retainer can create a satisfying click as it pops onto your teeth, many people find themselves using their tongues to fidget with their appliances, constantly moving them around their mouth. Others enjoy moving their retainer out of place altogether to chew on the top or sides of the retainer.

Unfortunately, both actions can cause a tremendous amount of unnecessary wear, shortening the life span of the device. If you wear a retainer, focus on inserting it normally and wearing it without using it like an oral fidget toy. If you find yourself mindlessly playing with your retainer, consider removing it altogether for a few minutes and giving yourself a break.

Because sudden damage is likely to occur when retainers are handled improperly, consider keeping a spare retainer on hand in the event of an accident. That way, if you unintentionally damage your retainer, you won't have to risk having your teeth shift while you wait for a new one to be made.

Your countertops might seem like a harmless place to stash an unused retainer, but if you really think about it, those surfaces are covered with some items that can damage your dental appliances.

For instance, hair dryers, curling wands, and flat irons produce enough heat to melt or warp retainers, which means leaving your device unattended could result in permanent damage. Additionally, counters aren't always as clean as people suspect, and the friction of the device sliding across the surface of your counter could cause scratches that harbor bacteria.

When your retainer isn't in use, keep it in the case the orthodontist gave you. As you handle retainers, keep them away from any heat-generating tool or appliance since damage can occur quickly.  

Don't put the alignment of your teeth at risk. Stop by and visit us here at Donald E. Snyder Orthodontics if you have questions about retainer use.