Once you have your retainers, Dr. Hirsh will instruct you on when to wear your retainers. It is IMPERATIVE that you follow his instructions to prevent your teeth from shifting and to properly care for your retainers.

1. Brush your retainers regularly with cold water and toothpaste.
2. Retainers belong in your case when not in your mouth.
3. Don’t leave retainers or cases where pets or young children can reach them.
4. NEVER wrap your retainer in a napkin-they get thrown away.
5. Don’t put the retainer in your pocket, without the case. When you sit, you will bend and break the wires.
6. Take the retainer out to play contact sports or to go swimming in the ocean.
7. Bring your retainer to each of your appointments.
8. Keep retainers out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources, such as toasters, hot cars, curling irons, coffee pots, blow dryers, etc.
9. If you lose or break your retainer, call the office immediately.

If your retainer begins to discolor or get build up, you can soak it in special retainer cleaners that can be purchased at the drug store, or you can use a coffee cup with equal parts of water, mouthwash, and vinegar for an hour or two, and then brush it with cold water and toothpaste.