Proper maintenance is the key to keep your retainer in top shape and make it last longer. That’s why Oahu Dental Care in Pearl City and Honolulu, HI, advises their clients to stay proactive about protecting their retainers. For over 25 years, the resident orthodontist at this practice has provided top-tier braces and other cosmetic dentistry solutions. He and his team offer some useful tips about managing your retainers and ensuring their optimal care.

3 Important Retainer Care Tips From A Top Orthodontist

1. Regular Cleaning

It’s easy for food particles and bacteria to get caught in the wire structure of your retainer, causing a host of dental hygiene issues. For best results, orthodontists recommend cleaning your retainer thoroughly every morning and evening when you brush your teeth. Some retainers also fare well when cleaned with mild toothpaste and soaked in mouthwash or another dental cleaning products.

2. Beware Of Damage

When directly exposed to dryness and high temperatures, the plastic component of your retainer can crack and render the frame useless. Oahu Dental Care particularly emphasizes keeping your retainer away from stoves, hot water, and hot dishwasher cycles. Their staff also warns against placing your retainer under unfiltered sunlight, or twisting the wires for any reason. The best way to prevent your retainer from drying out is to keep it submerged in water when not in use.

3. Use A Case For Storage

A common mistake retainer users make is employing disposable napkins to cover the apparatus after removing it from their teeth. Not only does tissue paper allow the retainer to dry out, but it also fails to safeguard it from germs. Take the advice of the best orthodontist on Oahu and use a retainer storage container instead. Shaped and sized for your retainer, the protective case prevents the device from damage and airborne microbes.

The comprehensive range of dentistry services at Oahu Dental Care guarantees your oral hygiene in the best possible way. Set up an appointment with the top-rated orthodontist, Dr. Dayton Q. L. Lum, by calling (808) 456-5005 (Pearl City) or (808) 732-2821 (Honolulu). Learn more about their wide variety of general and cosmetic dentistry solutions online, and like their Facebook page to receive regular updates about the clinic.