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Remember Your Retainer Remember Your Retainer

Tips to Remember Your Retainer

Last Updated on February 5, 2025

Abby, is your retainer back in your mouth? Hey Mason, don’t forget your retainer before you play outside, okay? Sound familiar? If your child or teen (or even you) needs multiple reminders to find or put your retainer back in, we understand and have been there, too!

This is a time to celebrate! As you know, the hardest part – braces, rubber bands, and appliances – is over, at least for the near future. However, the next phase of orthodontic treatment is just as important: the retention phase.

Teeth tend to move as we get older, and they have a great memory to move back to their original position. Retainers have an important job to hold the teeth in their new places to train them to stay there. This is why it is so important to wear your retainers during the times that we tell you.

Helpful Retainer Reminder Tips For Daily Use

  • Proper Storage – Use your retainer case! We give you a retainer case because this is the best place to put a retainer. Do NOT put retainers in napkins, on the lunch table, or in a bag – this is how they get accidentally thrown away!
  • Establish a Routine – Keep the retainer in its case in the same place. Whether it is in the bathroom, on a nightstand, or on a kitchen counter, the routine of being in one place will help them remember where it is.
  • Sticky Notes – Place sticky notes in places you or your child will see them, including the bathroom mirror, bedroom door, and the door they use before they go outside. Make it fun to help them remember!
  • Find a Friend (or Family Member) – Ask if a friend or family member can help with reminders. If your child’s friend also has a retainer, they can remind each other!
  • Use an Alarm – Consider setting a phone alarm as a daily reminder to wear the retainer.

Cleaning Your Retainer

In addition to using your retainer, it is also important to clean it regularly. Follow the instructions our team gives you to keep your retainer clean and free of germs by cleaning it any time it is out of your mouth. The cleaning method may vary depending on what kind of retainer you have.