Now that Dr. Christopher Liang has successfully realigned your teeth for a healthier mouth and a winning smile, you can have your braces removed. However, you will still need to use a retainer for a period of time to help hold your teeth in their new position, while they adapt to your new smile. This calls for a retainer. If you only needed braces for a minor amount of realignment you might be a candidate for a clear plastic retainer.
A clear plastic retainer is very similar to aligner trays like Invisalign. In fact, the clear plastic material makes it hard for the casual observer to even notice you’re wearing it.
While the clear plastic retainer is in your mouth you can drink and speak normally. You will however, need to take it out when you are eating. It’s also important that you don’t use tobacco products while wearing the retainer as this could damage the retainer or cause other problems.
You should rinse your clear plastic retainer every time you take it out. To refresh the unit at night, you can soak it in a mixture of half cold water and half antiseptic mouthwash. Then you should lightly brush it with a soft bristled toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste. This will remove any lingering plaque buildup. Try not to brush the clear plastic retainer with an abrasive toothpaste. The abrasives could dull the clear plastic material and make it more noticeable when you’re wearing it.
If you have any questions about how to properly take care of your clear plastic retainer, you can call Dr. Christopher Liang at 202-966-7711 to schedule an appointment.