When you get an orthodontic treatment like braces or Invisalign, you’re making a long-term investment in your health, appearance, and confidence. You can enjoy a beautifully straightened smile for the rest of your life, but only if you make the effort to maintain your results properly! Most patients will need to wear a retainer for the rest of their lives to keep their teeth in the correct positions. Unfortunately, retainers don’t last forever. Here are the top five signs that it’s time to replace your retainer to keep your smile straight and healthy.
1.) Your Retainer Feels Loose or Uncomfortable
Like most things, your retainer will gradually lose its shape and fit as it wears down over time. Soaking your retainer in strong mouthwash or cleaning chemicals can also weaken it and cause it to change shape. If your retainer feels loose or uncomfortable, then it isn’t holding your teeth in place properly and should be replaced.
2.) There’s Visible Damage on Your Retainer
Take a close look at your retainer—are there small chips or cracks on it? Visible damage is a telltale sign that your retainer needs to be replaced. Not only do chips and cracks weaken your retainer, but they can harbor harmful bacteria. Eventually, you could be put at a higher risk of cavities and gum disease!
3.) Your Retainer Smells Bad
Do you wake up each day with horrible morning breath? Do you hate wearing your retainer because it smells bad? This could be due to a buildup of plaque and bacteria on your retainer. Without regular, thorough oral hygiene, these particles can accumulate, harden, decay, and release foul-smelling particles. If you want to keep your smile fresh and healthy, it’s best if you have your smelly retainer replaced.
4.) There’s a Lot of Calcium Buildup on Your Retainer
Calcium buildup is also known as tartar. This white-yellow material is hardened plaque and is very porous. This means it’s the perfect place for bacteria to collect, which can cause bad breath and oral health issues like cavities. Like the tartar that forms on your teeth, calcium buildup on your retainer can only be removed by a highly trained dentist or orthodontist. However, if there’s too much buildup, it may be easier to simply have it replaced.
5.) You Haven’t Worn Your Retainer In Several Months
If it’s been a few days or maybe even a few weeks since you’ve worn your retainer, you should be able to get back to wearing it without too much difficulty. However, if you’ve gone for a month or longer without your retainer, it may now do you more harm than good if you wear it. It may not look it, but it’s very likely that your teeth are in a much different position now, and forcing a retainer onto them could injure your enamel or fracture the roots of your teeth.
You worked hard to complete your orthodontic treatment and achieve a beautiful smile, so make sure you protect your investment by replacing your retainer when the time comes!
About the Practice
Our team here at Simply Orthodontics is passionate about helping the families of Derry, Hudson, and the surrounding communities achieve the happy, healthy, and beautiful smiles they deserve. With a wide range of orthodontic treatments, the latest dental technology, and a team of skilled orthodontists, we do everything we can to make your journey towards a new smile as smooth as possible. And with our Orthodontics Guarantee, you can enroll in our RETAINERS FOR LIFE program. For a small co-payment, you can replace your worn, lost, or broken retainer up to four times a year. To learn more, we can be contacted online or at (603) 437-0331.