Do you have a permanent retainer? If so, you need to care for your smile regularly and pay special attention to the teeth secured to the retainer. This is important because if you don’t clean and care for the area regularly, bacteria and plaque can grow around the appliance and promote dental issues. So, to help you care for your smile when you have a permanent retainer in Colleyville, Texas, our orthodontist, Dr. Wendy Chen, is happy to give you the instructions you need.
-Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. As you brush, turn the tool vertically and thoroughly scrub around the appliance and the back of the teeth. This can help you remove the plaque and bacteria that reside there.
-Floss your teeth once a day. This can also help you remove the harmful substances, but it will also clean the areas the brush couldn’t quite reach, like under or below the retainer. If flossing is a tough task, feel free to use a floss threader.
-Attend your dental checkups every six months. The cleaning treatment provided at your appointment can remove the hardened plaque (tartar) from around your appliance so you can maintain a top-notch oral health.
Do you have any questions? If so, please reach out to Wendy Chen Orthodontics at 817-581-4031 at your earliest convenience. When you contact our office, our orthodontic team will be more than happy to help you. We look forward to your phone call!