Whether you choose a Hawley acrylic retainer or Essix clear retainers after braces or Invisalign®, removable retainers require some self-discipline. Anything you carry around (especially a retainer) is at risk of getting lost, misplaced or left behind.
Here are 4 tips to prevent you from losing your retainer!
1. Always keep your retainer case on hand.
Storing your retainer in its case when it’s not in your mouth will help prevent a lost retainer. If it’s not in your face, put it in your case!
By carrying your retainer case with you everywhere your retainer goes, you won’t be scrambling for a spot to store your retainer before lunch. You won’t feel the need to put your retainer in your pocket either – which is a huge no no! A pocket retainer is a broken retainer.
Orthodontic retainer cases are there to protect your retainer from damage and keep it in excellent shape, so allow it to do its job!
2. Choose a bright retainer color!
It’s harder to lose your retainer when it stands out from everything else you own! A bright colored Hawley retainer will catch your eye before you leave it behind or throw it in the trash after your meal.
Hawley retainers have an acrylic plate that sits in the roof of the mouth to anchor the retainer in place. These plates come in a variety of vibrant colors, including pink, blue, multi-colored, green, orange, purple, glitter and more!
3. Never place your retainer on your plate.
Placing your retainer on your plate or lunch tray after it marinated in your mouth all morning sounds a bit unhygienic, doesn’t it? You may catch yourself doing it at some point! It’s a common tendency.
Unfortunately, retainers left on plates often end up in the trash along with leftover food and napkins. This is one of the quickest ways to lose your retainer. Whatever you do, do not store your retainer on your plate or inside a napkin! Next thing you know, you’re dumpster diving to find your lost retainer.
4. Don’t let your dog wear your retainer!
Your dog will try to convince you that they need to wear your retainer too! Don’t let them get in your head.
Believe it or not, dogs love retainers. (If you have a dog, that’s easy to believe.) Anything with saliva, human bodily fluids or a distinct smell is likely to attract your dog. Your retainer is their ideal treat.
Don’t make it easy for your dog to grab your retainer! Leaving your retainer on the side of the table, counter, chair or anywhere within their sniffing distance can leave you with a broken or missing retainer.
What to do when you lose your retainer
So our retainer tips failed you, huh? In the event that you lose your retainer – whether you lost the battle to a trash can or to your favorite furry friend – all you have to do is give us a call! We’ll start the process to create a new retainer for you.
There will be a fee for a replacement retainer, which is why we want you to protect your first complimentary retainer at all costs.
Let us know right away if you lose your retainer so we can create you a new one and prevent your teeth from shifting out of place or “relapsing” back to their original pre-treatment positions.
Still have questions about caring for your retainer?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions! We’re here to guide you through your treatment process, from your very first visit, to your last appointment. We’re more than happy to discuss retainers or any other treatment type with you.
If you’re looking for a top orthodontist in Northwest Florida, we’d love to meet you! Request a complimentary exam for you or your child today.
