Your retainer holds your new smile in place. Teeth have memory — without a retainer, they'll slowly drift back. Wearing it as prescribed protects the work you just finished.
Quick reference
- Follow the wear schedule we gave you — usually full-time at first, then nights only long-term. Don't skip nights.
- Always clean your retainer before putting it back in. Brush it with a soft brush and cold water (hot water warps the plastic).
- Keep it in its case when it's out of your mouth. Most lost retainers end up wrapped in a napkin and accidentally thrown away.
- Don't eat or drink anything except water with the retainer in.
- It's normal for the retainer to feel tight after a day or two of not wearing it — this is a sign your teeth want to drift back. Get back on schedule.
- Bring the retainer to your check-ups so we can inspect and clean it.
Call us if you have concerns. Call us at 519-944-5757 if your retainer breaks, no longer fits, or goes missing — replacing it quickly is much easier than re-treating shifted teeth.
