MANY PEOPLE, AFTER COMPLETING orthodontic treatment, are fitted with a fixed retainer, a thin wire that’s bonded to the back of teeth, designed to help keep teeth straight and aligned.
Fixed retainers can be great! You never have to worry about losing it!
However, fixed retainers can also make it more difficult to keep teeth and gums clean and healthy. One of the most common problems that can arise is plaque and bacteria buildup around the fixed retainer that can lead to gum disease.
3 Tips For Keeping Teeth With A Fixed Retainer Clean
1.Don’t Neglect Flossing, Even When It’s More Difficult: Flossing can be
especially difficult, depending on your fixed retainer’s specifications.
Link 1 Floss threaders or Link 2 Superfloss are products that may help
you floss more quickly and effectively.
2. Brush Your Teeth Correctly: Angle your brush in order to get all the
nooks and crannies around your teeth and fixed retainer. Be thorough and
gentle as you brush the back of your teeth.
3. Don’t Postpone Regular Dental Visits: When you visit us for your regular
cleanings, we can get to all those difficult areas on the back of your
teeth and around your fixed retainer… Areas you may often miss during
regular brushing. If you have a hard time cleaning around your fixed
retainer at home, you might want to schedule more frequent cleanings to
prevent plaque build-up, and to decrease gingivitis risk. Another important
reason to not procrastinate regular checkups is because if there is a
problem, we can remedy it before the problem gets bigger.
