Replacing Your Retainer

Today is the day! Your braces are coming off after all this time. This doesn’t mean that you're done taking care of your teeth though. Your dentist at Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces will provide you with your new retainer. It is up to you to take care of it, helping your teeth stay in their new positions. Eventually, like anything used daily, it’ll need a replacement. That’s when you schedule an appointment at our offices in the Phoenix, AZ, area.

Retainer replacement depends entirely upon you and your retainer. Some patients require a replacement after 2-3 years, or maybe every year! It’s important that you replace it right away if it gets damaged. If it’s broken, it won’t keep your teeth in place. It’s actually doing more harm than good.

Here are a few signs that your retainer needs a replacement:
-Changes color
-Fits odd or feels uncomfortable
-Comes apart or wears away at the joints
-Shows signs of a calcium buildup

Schedule an appointment with your dentist in Phoenix, AZ, right away. They can evaluate your retainer and issue a replacement. Without your retainer, your teeth will shift back into their old positions. It will undo all the work your braces accomplished. Wear your retainer every day for the first six months following the removal of your braces. With the permission of your dentist, you can then transition to wearing it at night.

There are a few general guidelines for keeping your retainer in pristine condition. When you are issued your first retainer, it comes with a case. Always keep your retainer in the case when you aren’t wearing it. This keeps it from getting damaged or lost. When you travel, always place it in the case.

Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces provide quality pediatric dental care. We have three offices spread across the Phoenix, AZ, area. Visit our website to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment. Call 623-232-0749 for our N. 75th Ave. office, 480-666-5984 for N. 24th St., and 480-405-4714 for E. Baseline Rd.