Caring for your retainers
Retainers hold your straight new smile in place, so treat them as a small habit for life. Teeth naturally drift with age, and retainers are what stop that. Wear yours as we prescribe, usually full time at first and then nights long term, clean them daily in cool water, and always keep them in their case. Here is how to look after them.
★ 4.9 from 75 Google reviews · Specialist orthodontist · Real patient results · Newmarket, Auckland
Reviewed by Dr Shaz MacAvoy, Specialist Orthodontist. Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Orthodontics), registered with the Dental Council of New Zealand.
Why your retainer matters
Straightening moves your teeth; retainers keep them there. Without one, teeth slowly drift back out of line, and that tendency lasts a lifetime. A retainer worn as prescribed protects the result you have invested in.
Teeth drift for life
Teeth keep shifting gently throughout life, with or without braces, and that is completely normal. A retainer is the simple, proven way to hold your new smile steady, so the straightening you have invested in lasts for years to come.
A habit worth keeping
Retaining is not a short phase, it is ongoing. Most people wear retainers full time for a while, then settle into wearing them at night for the long term. A few minutes a night is a small price for a lifetime of straight teeth.
We keep an eye on it
We check your retainers and your bite at review visits and answer any questions. If anything ever feels loose or different, tell us. Looking after your result is part of your care with Milk, not the end of it.
Removable and fixed retainers
There are two kinds, and many people have both. We will tell you which suits your teeth and how to look after each one.
Removable retainers
A clear or plate style retainer you take in and out.
- Usually worn at night, long term
- Lift out to eat and to clean
- Easy to keep spotless
- Store in the case every time
- Bring it to your review visits
Fixed retainers
A thin wire bonded quietly behind your front teeth.
- Stays in place, nothing to remember
- Clean around it daily with a floss threader
- Watch for a lifted or broken wire
- Wear your removable retainer over it if advised
- Tell us if it feels rough or loose
Wearing and cleaning your retainer
Looking after a retainer is quick and easy once it is a habit. Wear it as prescribed, clean it gently, and keep it safe.
Follow your wear schedule
At first you may wear a removable retainer full time, then most people move to nights only, long term. Wear yours exactly as we advise. If you slip out of the habit and it feels tight, go back to wearing it more often and call us.
Clean it gently, cool water only
Clean your retainer daily by brushing it gently with a soft brush and cool water, or a mild soap. Never use hot or boiling water, a dishwasher or harsh toothpaste, as heat warps it and abrasives scratch it. Rinse it well before it goes back in.
Always in its case
Out of your mouth, your retainer belongs in its case, never in a napkin or a pocket. Napkin wrapped retainers get binned, and pets love to chew them. Keep it away from heat, hot cars and sunny windowsills, which can distort the plastic.
Retainer care, at a glance
Replacing a retainer
Do not leave a gap. Teeth can start to move within days without a retainer, so if yours is lost, cracked or no longer fitting, keep wearing any older one you still have and contact us straight away. We will arrange a replacement so your smile stays exactly where it should.
Answered honestly
How long do I need to wear my retainer?
Think of retainers as long term. Most people wear a removable retainer full time for a short while after braces, then move to wearing it just at night. Because teeth keep drifting throughout life, wearing your retainer at night for the foreseeable future is what keeps your smile straight.
How do I clean my retainer?
Brush it gently every day with a soft toothbrush and cool water, or a little mild soap, then rinse it well. Never use hot or boiling water, a dishwasher, or abrasive toothpaste, because heat warps the retainer and scratches let bacteria build up. Keep it in its case whenever it is out of your mouth.
What is the difference between a removable and a fixed retainer?
A removable retainer is a clear or plate style retainer you take in and out, usually worn at night. A fixed retainer is a thin wire bonded behind your front teeth that stays in place day and night. Many people have both. We will advise which suits your teeth and how to care for each.
What should I do if I lose or break my retainer?
Contact us as soon as you can, because teeth can start to shift within days without a retainer. In the meantime, wear any older retainer you still have, even if it feels tight. We will arrange a replacement quickly so your result is protected. See our retainers page or phone (09) 520 1880.
Protect your smile for life
A free 20 minute Smile Assessment, in the clinic or over Zoom. No referral needed, no obligation, just honest specialist advice on your smile and how to keep it straight.