How to Make a Origami Cube Wikihow

An important part of any dental care plan is proper cleaning, and this is particularly true for retainers. A dirty retainer can harbor bacteria, which can cause bad breath in your mouth. But caring for your retainer goes far beyond just keeping it clean. You'll also need to protect your retainer from damage and store it properly when you're not wearing it or cleaning it. Fixed/permanent retainers, which are not removable, require even more effort to care for, but it can be fairly easy once you get used to it. Retainers are very expensive to replace, so it's important to take good care of your dental equipment and always use it as directed by your orthodontist.

1. 1

   Wear the retainer as instructed by your orthodontist. Depending on the condition your teeth are in, you may be instructed to wear your retainer at all times, except during times when the retainer might be damaged.^[1] If you've been wearing your retainer for a while, your orthodontist might allow you to switch to a part-time basis. Always follow the instructions your orthodontist gives you, and ask him/her if you have any questions.

   • Retainers generally need to be worn until your jawbone and gums stabilize around your teeth, which should now be aligned, and the roots of your teeth have reached the desired position.^[2] This takes time, and the exact length of time will need to be determined by your orthodontist.
   • Orthodontists will generally have patients wear their retainers full time (24 hours a day) for the same length of time that the patient wore braces.
   • After wearing the retainer full time for an initial period of time, your orthodontist may allow you to switch to only wearing it at night.

2. 2

   Remove your retainer before eating. Eating food with a removable retainer in your mouth can damage the retainer and will almost certainly cause food to get stuck in your hardware. You should always take your retainer out before eating, and make sure you store it properly inside your retainer case.

3. 3

   Switch your retainer for a protective mouthguard during sports. Any time there's a risk of your retainer being damaged or lost, you should take it out of your mouth. Make sure you store it safely in its case once it's out of your mouth, and be careful so you do not misplace your case or retainer.

   • Wearing a protective mouthguard during sports is important, whether you wear a retainer or not.
   • You will not be able to properly fit a protective mouth guard over your retainer, and physical contact (even through the mouth guard) could damage your retainer and seriously injure your mouth.
   • If possible, avoid contact sports while receiving orthodontic treatment. Your entire bone structure is weaken during this time and any force can have a negative impact and may cause irreversible damage.
   • Some orthodontists recommend taking your retainer out when you go swimming. If the retainer somehow slips out of your mouth, it could easily be lost in the water.

4. 4

   Store your retainer properly. Any time you take your retainer out of your mouth, whether for eating, sports, or cleaning your gear, you should always store it properly. This will help ensure that your retainer is not lost or damaged.

   • Never leave your retainer wrapped in a napkin, tissue, or paper towel. This can be easily mistaken for trash and thrown away by accident.
   • Always carry your retainer case with you wherever you go if you're wearing the retainer full time. Store your retainer in the case any time you need to remove it.^[3]
   • Do not leave your retainer in direct sunlight, including a parked car, as the heat may melt or warp the plastic. Never leave a retainer near a stove or heater for the same reasons.^{[4] [5]}
   • Avoid leaving your retainer lying around outside the case, even at home. It could get lost, or (if you have pets) your dog will likely try to chew on it — they are attracted to the smell of the retainer.

1. 1

   Brush your retainer. You can and should brush your retainer every day, just as you brush your teeth. In fact, when you brush your teeth might be the ideal time to also brush your retainer. This will help keep your retainer clean and your breath smelling fresh.^{[6] [7]}

   • Remove your retainer from your mouth.
   • Rinse it under cool water from the faucet.
   • Add a pea-sized drop of toothpaste to your toothbrush and gently scrub away the built-up plaque and tartar.
   • Rinse the retainer thoroughly, then either pop it back in your mouth, let it soak, or place it in your case.

2. 2

   Soak your retainer to keep it clean. In addition to brushing your retainer, it's generally a good idea to soak your retainer in some type of safe cleaner. Many orthodontists recommend using mouthwash or denture-cleaning tablets for soaking retainers; however, some orthodontists advise against these cleaning agents, as they contain chemicals like persulfate and alcohol that can damage your retainer and cause problems in your mouth.^[8]

   • A safe alternative to harsh cleaning agents is to use baking soda. Simply mix two teaspoons into a small bowl of fresh, cool water and soak your retainer in that mixture.^[9]
   • Avoid using vinegar, as it can corrode your wires and affect the plastic.^[10] You should also avoid bleach, as it may get absorbed in the porous plastic of your retainer.

3. 3

   Take steps to avoid letting your retainer dry out. You may not realize it, but your retainer can dry out very easily. It's made to exist in your mouth, which is a consistently wet environment. Whenever you're not wearing it, your retainer should be soaking in water so that the plastic does not become damaged and dried out.^[11]

   • Use a small bowl or cup full of water to soak your retainer when you're not wearing it.
   • Distilled water works best, as there will not be any harsh chemicals or pH imbalances to damage your retainer.
   • Always use cool or room-temperature water. Hot water can damage the plastic on your retainer, and should always be avoided.

1. 1

   Follow your orthodontist's recommendations. Unlike a removable retainer, a permanent/fixed retainer can't be removed by normal means (only an orthodontist can take it out); however, you should carefully follow any instructions your orthodontist gives you for cleaning and caring for your fixed retainer. You will most likely receive special cleaning instructions, as well as details on what foods you can and can't eat.

   • Most fixed retainers are worn full time for approximately five years; however, some may be kept on for life, depending on your teeth and your orthodontist's recommendations.^[12]
   • Follow any instructions your orthodontist gives you, and let him know about any issues you may be having.

2. 2

   Avoid foods that might damage your retainer. Because fixed retainers are bonded to your teeth, there are certain food restrictions you'll need to follow in order to avoid damaging your retainer. These restrictions are generally the same as those applied to braces.

   • Avoid hard/crunchy foods, as these may cause your retainer to break.
   • Do not eat caramel, hard candy, or gum. These foods can get stuck to your wires and cause damage.
   • Cut down on sweets and soda in general, as sugary foods/drinks can increase the chances of tooth decay.
   • Try to avoid or reduce your consumption of high-acidity foods/drinks, including citrus and soda.

3. 3

   Use floss threaders to floss around your teeth and retainer. You will need to floss your teeth with floss threaders to properly get between the teeth and above/below the retainer wire.^[13] A floss threader is essentially a stiff thread made of nylon with a small loop at the end. You'll use this threader to feed regular dental floss between your teeth and around your wires.

   • Start with approximately 18 inches of regular waxed dental floss.
   • Slip one end of the dental floss through the floss threader and pull it until the threader is roughly in the middle of the floss.
   • Hold the threader up close against your teeth in the spot you're about to floss. Aim the threader slightly downward for your bottom teeth and slightly upward for your top teeth.
   • Reach into your mouth and carefully pull the threader through, then use the floss strand to floss like normal around your gums and under your retainer wire.
   • Take good care when cleaning in between teeth and try not to use hard toothpicks, as you may damage the fixed retainer.

4. 4

   Brush your teeth around the fixed retainer. Brushing your teeth with a fixed retainer can be a bit tricky, since you can't just take the retainer out to brush like you can with a removable retainer; however, it's very similar to brushing your teeth with braces, which you may already have experience with.^[14]

   • Use a soft-bristle toothbrush so you don't damage the hardware. Make sure you brush for a full two minutes, using up and down motions, just like you normally would.
   • Brush the backs and chewing surfaces of teeth as normal. While brushing the fronts of teeth, carefully brush along the gums, then above/below the retainer wire.
   • Rinse your mouth out thoroughly. Check your teeth in the mirror to make sure you didn't miss any food debris or plaque, and if you see anything remaining, start the process over again.
   • You can also use a proxabrush, which is shaped like a Christmas tree. These brushes are made for brushing between and around braces and retainer wires, which may make it easier to keep your teeth clean. Don't be too aggressive with these brushes, as you may cause the fixed retainer to bend or come off.

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• Question

  What's the best way to clean my retainer?

  

  Dr. Alina Lane is a Dentist who runs All Smiles Dentistry, a general practice dental office based in New York City. After completing a DDS at the University of Maryland, Dr. Lane completed a year-long clerkship in Implantology at the University of Maryland, where she focused on the advanced restoration of dental implants. She continued her advanced education by completing a General Practice Residency at Woodhull Medical Center, an affiliate of the NYU School of Medicine. She received the Woodhull Medical Center Resident of the Year 2012-2013.

  

  Board Certified Dentist

  Expert Answer

  We recommend brushing your plastic retainer when you brush your teeth. This will help to mechanically remove any plaque bacteria build-up or stains. You do not want to put toothpaste on the brush because the abrasive quality of the toothpaste can scratch the plastic over time. Brushing while holding it under cool or warm water is just fine! Don't forget to brush all surfaces of the retainer!

• Question

  How do I prevent my retainer from getting damaged?

  

  Dr. Alina Lane is a Dentist who runs All Smiles Dentistry, a general practice dental office based in New York City. After completing a DDS at the University of Maryland, Dr. Lane completed a year-long clerkship in Implantology at the University of Maryland, where she focused on the advanced restoration of dental implants. She continued her advanced education by completing a General Practice Residency at Woodhull Medical Center, an affiliate of the NYU School of Medicine. She received the Woodhull Medical Center Resident of the Year 2012-2013.

  

  Board Certified Dentist

  Expert Answer

  The retainer should be stored in a dry and clean case to protect it. You do not want to soak it in any solutions overnight because that can weaken the plastic. You also want to keep it away from heat since heat will warp the material. (Don't put it in your dishwasher or boiling water!)

• Question

  I accidentally threw my retainer in hot oil and it melted. Retainers are very expensive I cannot afford a new one — what should I do?

  

  Dr. Macau is an oral surgeon, periodontist, and aesthetician at Favero Dental Clinic in London. He received his DDS from Carol Davila University of Medicine in 2015.

  

  Doctor of Dental Surgery

  Expert Answer

  You can try explaining this to your dentist and find a proper solution together. Your dentist may take another impression to reproduce the actual clinical case and then send it to a dental technician along with the melted retainer and try fixing it at a lower cost. Usually dental technicians have all the resources available and are able to repair any potential damages.

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• Talk to your orthodontist for tips and instructions, and let your orthodontist know if you have any questions or concerns.

• Any time your retainer is not being worn, it should be in its case or soaking in whatever dental cleaning product you choose to use.

• Don't put it in your pocket, as you may sit on it and crack it. Always use the case your orthodontist gives you.

• Never wrap your retainer in a tissue, napkin or paper towel. It will stick to your retainer and make it tricky to clean, and you may throw it out by accident if you think it's just a dirty napkin.

Things You'll Need

• Retainer
• Retainer case
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Denture tablets (optional)
• Baking soda (optional)
• Denture soaking cup
• Small drop of dish soap

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Article SummaryX

An easy way to take care of your retainer is to brush it every day, just as you would your teeth. Whenever you brush your teeth, take some time to use a pea-sized drop of toothpaste to scrub away any built-up plaque and tartar on your retainer. Another way to clean your retainer is to soak it in a bowl of fresh water mixed with 2 teaspoons of baking soda. While vinegar and bleach can be powerful cleaning agents, don't use either of them on your retainer because they can corrode the wire or make you sick by absorbing into the plastic. For more help from our Dental co-author, like how to take care of a permanent retainer, scroll down!

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How to Make a Origami Cube Wikihow

Source: https://www.wikihow.health/Take-Care-of-Your-Retainer

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