You’ve achieved the beautiful smile you always wanted — now you need to think about maintaining it. Retainers are a simple way to ensure that you don’t move backward from your smile goals. They keep your teeth in place overnight, helping to protect them from movements that could subtly shift the appearance of your smile.

Like all good things, though, retainers don’t last forever. Getting to know the lifecycle of your retainer helps you plan ahead — so you can easily schedule the replacements you need to keep your smile looking its best.

A Quick Introduction to Retainers

If you’ve already had alignment treatment, you might wonder why you need retainers. After all, your smile looks amazing now. Simply put, your teeth don’t always stay in one place without a little help. Your mouth is an amazing part of your body, and home to four pairs of powerful muscles that allow you to move your jaw. Talking, chewing, and even whistling all use these muscles, and when you sleep, your mouth is rarely motionless all night.

The bottom line is that these regular movements, along with the natural rebound effect of your teeth wanting to shift back to their original position, can cause your teeth to move ever so slightly out of place. If left unchecked, this could undo all the hard work of the alignment process you went through.

Retainers are the answer. A retainer is a comfortable, clear dental accessory created to match your new smile. It fits over your teeth at night, supporting their current configuration. By keeping your teeth in place, you get to keep the smile you invested in.

How Long Does a Retainer Last?

Typically, a retainer lasts around six months. The reason they don’t last forever is that they’re prone to wear and tear. Plus, over time, the retainer can stretch and shift so that it no longer supports the right configuration of your teeth. Remember, your teeth are powerful, so it makes sense that a comfortable, supportive retainer won’t last forever.

Dental experts also recommend replacing a retainer every six months for hygiene reasons. Bacteria in the mouth transfer onto your retainer overnight. Even with regular cleaning, a retainer that’s past its prime can hold onto bacteria and become unhygienic. As well as supporting your smile, SmileSet retainer replacement services can be an essential aspect of good dental hygiene.

Practicing Good Retainer Maintenance

To ensure that you don’t end up needing a retainer replacement early, you can take the time to clean and look after your retainers.

Safe Storage

Store your retainer in its case to avoid it getting knocked or damaged. This is especially important if you have a busy household with pets or children, as you never know when an excited family member could send loose retainers flying onto the floor.

Hygiene First

Cleaning your retainers is another important part of maintaining their lifespan. Just as you brush your teeth every day, your retainer needs freshening after being in your mouth all night.

Every time you remove your retainer, rinse it with warm water. This flushes away bits of food and saliva. You can then brush your retainer using a soft-bristle toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. You could also use soap, but make sure it doesn’t have a strong taste or smell, as you’ll notice it the next time you put your retainer in your mouth.

Specialist Care

You can also invest in specialist cleaning tablets to keep your retainer sparkling clean. These effervescent tablets work in a glass of water or the SmileSet Premium Ultrasonic Cleaner + UV Sanitizer. The latter gives you peace of mind by ensuring that retainers are kept meticulously clean and free of bacteria.

Signs That You Need a New Retainer

If you’ve used your retainer for longer than six months, you may notice some of the following symptoms that tell you it’s time for a replacement:

• Poor fit: Your retainer should fit snug over your teeth yet feel comfortable. If it doesn’t, a replacement is essential to ensure the retainer is doing its job correctly.
• Noticeable stains or build-up: Regular cleaning should prevent this, but if you’re struggling to remove dirt from your retainer, it needs replacing as soon as possible.
• Cracks, even tiny ones: A crack in your retainer is a weak point that can cause it to change shape and create areas that harbor bacteria.
• Chips: A chipped retainer can quickly become uncomfortable and could cause damage to your gums, cheek, or tongue.

Any pain or discomfort should be reported to a dental professional immediately. If you don’t already have a retainer replacement subscription set up, a member of our expert team can help you with that.

How Retainer Replacement Works

If you’ve previously had at-home dental alignment, ordering a replacement retainer is easy. Your existing dental records are on file, so it’s as simple as using this information to produce the right retainer for your mouth. There’s the option to pay by subscription. Some dental insurance customers may find that they can get reimbursed for retainer replacements — always check with your insurer directly.

The retainer replacement cost is much lower than having to invest in further dental realignment later down the line. Plus, it’s a convenient and comfortable way to keep your dream smile locked in.

Contact us for more information or sign up online for your convenient retainer replacement subscription.