Keeping your retainer in good condition is an important step in your orthodontic treatment. Your retainer helps to finish the work that your dental work started, and is necessary for keeping your teeth and the ligaments in your jaw in their new positions. However, retainers can break or get damaged.
Damage to your retainer can occur from an impact to your face or mouth, eating hard foods, simple wear and tear, or dropping your retainer. You may not even know that you have damaged your retainer until you notice that your teeth are drifting out of their new alignment. You have invested a great deal of time and money in your dental work and you will want to contact your orthodontist as soon as possible to repair or replace your retainer.
A fixed retainer will have to be removed and repaired by your orthodontist. Until you can come in for an appointment, you may try wearing a mouthguard at night to prevent your teeth shifting while you sleep. You should avoid hard or sticky foods and you can rinse your mouth with a solution of warm water and salt to relieve any discomfort.
If you are interested in finding out more about orthodontics and how a procedure may improve your smile, call
Orthodontic Specialists of Lake County in Grayslake, Antioch and Gurnee, Illinois, at 847-223-2876. We’ll be happy to set up an appointment for you to visit with Drs. Sellke & Reily for an exam and consultation.
