CONGRATULATIONS! LET’S PRESERVE YOUR NEW SMILE!

Now that your braces treatment is complete, your Essix retainers play an important role in maintaining your newly aligned smile. Wearing your retainers as instructed and keeping them properly cleaned will help prevent teeth from shifting and protect your orthodontic results for years to come.

Seeing your confident new smile is the best part of what we do! At Unique Orthodontics, we’re proud to continue being your family’s orthodontic home even after braces come off. Whether you need a retainer check, replacement retainers, or guidance on caring for your Essix retainers, our friendly bilingual team is always here to help keep your smile healthy, straight, and confident.

WEARING YOUR RETAINERS:

For the first month after your braces are removed, wear your retainers full time (day and night), unless otherwise instructed by your orthodontist.

  • Remove retainers when eating or drinking anything other than water.
  • Remove retainers when brushing and flossing your teeth.
  • Before placing retainers back in your mouth, make sure your teeth and retainers are clean.
  • Always rinse retainers with cold water.

After the first month, you may transition to nighttime wear only while sleeping (typically 8–10 hours each night), unless instructed differently by your orthodontist.

Important Retainer Care Tips:

  • Handle retainers carefully when removing and cleaning them.
  • Keep retainers away from heat and hot water. Never place them in boiling water, a dishwasher, or inside a hot car.
  • Always store retainers in their retainer case when not in use. Do not wrap them in napkins or paper towels, as they can easily be thrown away.
  • Pets are known to chew retainers, so keep them safely out of reach.
  • If your retainers become loose, cracked, broken, or lost, contact our office right away. Teeth can begin shifting quickly without proper retainer wear.
  • Keep all scheduled retainer check appointments and remember to bring your retainers with you to each visit.

KEEPING YOUR RETAINERS CLEAN:

After eating or drinking anything other than water, brush and floss your teeth before putting your retainers back in. Clean your retainers daily to help keep them fresh and clear.

  • Always use cold water when rinsing or cleaning your retainers.
  • Do not use toothpaste, hot water, or harsh cleaners, as they can scratch or damage the retainers.
  • Clean retainers using one of the following methods:
    • Mild soap and cold water
    • Over-the-counter denture cleanser tablets
    • A Sonic Cleaner

Important:

  • Denture cleanser tablets should only be used for up to 10 minutes at a time.
  • Sonic Cleaners should also only be used for up to 10 minutes at a time.
  • When cleaning, hold retainers in the palm of your hand or place them flat on a counter to avoid bending or damaging them.