I just got my braces off.. what are the do's and don'ts of retainer use.?

Question:

.well other that regular brushing,and taking it out when you eat, what else is there to know?

Answers:
don't flush your retainer down the toilet.

Other Answers:
you better wear it no matter how it looks b/c i wish i had. otherwise your teeth will be back to the way they were OR you will have to get braces again. both scenarios suck. :) so wear and be happy that you have straight teeth!

I lost my 1st retainer in the ocean when I got stung by a jellyfish and hollered as a wave came, washed the retainer right out of my mouth, you're going to find yourself playing with it too, running your tongue on it and making it wiggle etc. DONT do this! It's real hard to break the habit, so try not to get into it.
Source(s):
Good luck!

Make sure you keep it in all of the time. I was advised to leave mine in while I eat but, I can't. So that's the only time I take it out. Make sure you brush it, I soak mine in mouthwash every now and then so it doesn't get gross. Don't put it on a napkin or dish while you're eating, you may throw it away!!

I didn't wear my bottom one as much as I should have, and yep, they shift.

You can take it out for eating, just make sure you put it back in. If you are going to eat with the retainer don't eat hard foods like when you wore braces-I would clean the retainer every so often- like soak it in mouth wash or brush it. I am sure yoru dentist can help you with this question as well.

If it starts to smell, soak it in a cup of water with an efferdent denture tablet in the water to clean and deodarize it. Brush the retainer every time you brush your teeth. Never put it in the dishwasher, it will melt. When it's not in your mouth, put it in the case. If you don't, you'll lose it or it will get broken. Guaranteed.
If you have a dog or cat at home, be sure that when the retainer is in the case, to put the case in a drawer or somewhere that the animal can't get to it. They can smell it and will break the case to get to the retainer, then break the retainer.
If you lose the retainer, get a new one immediately. Your teeth can move very quickly and this could result in retreatment with braces or a life time of crooked teeth.
Never wrap your retainer in a napkin or tissue or put it on your lunch tray. You will become a professional dumpster diver trying to find it. They are almost impossible to find. I worked in Ortho for years and heard every excuse in the book for lost retainers, but the most common was that it got thrown away.
Smile!

try not to chew gum and try not to take them off besides doin the important stuff

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I just got my braces off.. what are the do's and don'ts of retainer use.?

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