Retainers and Mouthguards

Retainers

After certain dental treatments, you may be provided with a retainer to help maintain your results. There are several different styles of retainers, but each is used to prevent teeth from shifting. Whatever type of retainer you receive, be sure to follow the care instructions properly to protect your smile.

How To Care For Your Retainer

Since most retainers are in and out of patients' mouths regularly, it’s essential to care for them properly. Take your retainer out to eat and to clean it, and always put it back in its case. Most of the time when a retainer is lost or broken, it was out of the case while at school or a restaurant. When your retainer is not in your mouth, it should always be in its case.

To clean the retainer, brush it thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste, using warm but not hot water. Brushing your retainer removes plaque, eliminates odors, and keeps it clean. Retainer cleaners such as Retainer Brite® or Efferdent® can be used to occasionally soak your retainer, but do not take the place of brushing.
Retainers are breakable, so treat yours with care. Do not try to adjust your retainer on your own. Call us right away if you have any questions or concerns, if you believe it needs to be adjusted, or if it gets lost or broken.

Always bring your retainer to your appointments. Retainer replacements can be costly, but with proper care, they will last for years! Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, napkins, and pets.

Mouthguards

When To Use a Mouthguard

When playing sports, mouthguards are a critical piece of safety equipment. They are designed to minimize the risk of broken teeth and oral and facial injuries. The Canadian Association of Orthodontists recommends the use of mouthguards if you participate in sports such as basketball, boxing, hockey, football, gymnastics, lacrosse, martial arts, racquetball, rugby, track and field, skateboarding, skiing and snowboarding, skydiving, soccer, surfing, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting, and wrestling.

Types of Mouthguards

There are three basic types of mouthguards: pre-made mouthguard, “boil-and-bite” fitted mouthguard, and custom-made mouthguard. Choosing the right mouthguard is essential. When you choose a mouthguard, be sure to pick one that is tear-resistant, comfortable and well-fitted for your mouth, easy to keep clean, and does not prevent you from breathing properly.

Pre-Made Mouthguards

These are over-the-counter mouthguards that come pre-formed and ready to wear. Pre-made mouthguards are typically one-size-fits-all and inexpensive.

Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards

To use this type of mouthguard, one has to first soften it in hot water and then mold it around the mouth using the fingers and tongue. Overall, these fit better than pre-made mouthguards, but do not give a precise, customized fit.

Custom-Made Mouthguards

Custom-made mouthguards are specially designed by your dentist to provide optimal protection against mouth injuries. A mold is taken of your teeth and used to create a mouthguard specifically for the structure of your teeth and mouth. These mouthguards are comfortable to wear and harder to accidentally dislodge while sleeping or playing sports.