A beautiful smile is super important. For this reason, people pay a hefty amount of money to fix their smile. If you’ve done the same for your children, then you know how rewarding it is when they finally get to take their braces off. That being said, a good smile isn’t only achieved by getting braces, but also maintaining their teeth after as well. This can be achieved through a good oral hygiene routine, a healthy diet, and one other important thing: retainers. The best pediatric dentist in Midland Park wants all of their patients – and parents of their patients – to be well-informed on how to care for their retainers.
Cleaning
Keeping your retainer clean is easy, and super important; if you put a dirty retainer in your mouth all day, it could invite bacteria into the mouth. Your retainer should be cleaned every day at least once, but it’s recommended to wash it every time you brush your teeth. To clean it, all you have to do is clean it with a spare toothbrush and a little bit of soap or disinfectant. Some of the signs that you need to clean your retainer include: bad tastes or smells, a cloudy appearance, or white spots on the retainer. For more information on how to deep clean your retainer, read our article, How to Deep Clean Your Kid’s Retainer *insert link
Always Keep it Safe
The first rule is that if the retainer isn’t in your mouth, then it should be in the case. Although it sounds simple, there are so many accidents that can still happen. For instance, your dog chews the case or it can even be left somewhere accidentally. To prevent this from happening, keep it in a safe place that both you and your child are aware of. If you need to take it with you, make sure to write your name and number on the case to prevent it from being lost.
Keep it Away From Heat
We all know that plastic and heat are a bad mix, but accidents still happen. Always try to keep in mind that they shouldn’t be exposed to too much heat. This means don’t leave it on your car windshield on a hot summer day or boil it in water to “deep clean it.” These are both expensive mistakes.
Making it a Habit
It may be hard for your child to incorporate retainers into their daily routine. This is why it’s important for you to help them throughout the process. You can do so by constantly reminding them to wear and clean it. You can also leave little notes that will help them remember when they’re getting ready for the day. Some parents even find small ways to reward their child for wearing their retainer.
If you have any questions about your child’s retainers, reach out to your best pediatric dentist in Midland Park.
