How to look after your retainer

Finishing treatment isn't the end of the job. Teeth keep moving throughout life, whether or not you've had braces, and the only way to keep them where we've placed them is to wear your retainer.

How long do I need to wear it?

For life, at least part time. The easy way to remember it is "Night-time for lifetime". In many ways this is the most important stage of treatment. If you stop wearing your retainer, your teeth will move. If you forget it for a week or two, for example on holiday, there's a good chance it won't fit when you get back.

If you had NHS treatment, the NHS will not fund a second course of treatment if your teeth move because the retainer wasn't worn. Private re-treatment is chargeable.

Day-to-day wear

• Take your retainer out to eat and drink. Only drink plain water with it in, otherwise you're at higher risk of decay and of damaging the retainer.
• Take it out for sports.
• Your speech may be a little affected at first. This improves quickly.
• Bring your retainer to every follow-up appointment.

How to clean it

• Brush your retainer gently with a soft toothbrush and hand soap once or twice a day.
• A retainer cleaning product can be used now and then for a deeper clean.
• Never use hot water. It can melt or warp the plastic so the retainer no longer fits.
• Keep it in its case when it's not in your mouth. Retainers wrapped in tissue are easily thrown away by mistake.

Lost, broken or worn out?

Contact us as soon as possible and don't wait. The longer you go without a retainer, the more your teeth can move. An emergency appointment will be needed, and there is a charge.

NHS orthodontic patients

• We look after your retainer for one year after your treatment finishes.
• In that first year, a replacement is free if the retainer has genuinely worn out. If it's lost or broken through poor care, there is a patient charge.
• After the first year, you're discharged from NHS orthodontic care. Your own dentist can arrange replacements, but these are normally private.

Private and Invisalign patients

Replacement retainers are chargeable if they are lost, broken or worn out. Invisalign patients can order a set of three Vivera retainers for £450.