What is an orthodontic retainer?
A retainer is a device that is usually used to help keep your teeth in position after braces or clear aligners (healthdirect). Better Health Channel describes retainers as appliances that hold teeth in their new place once active treatment finishes, fixed (bonded) or removable (Better Health Channel).
This page focuses on removable retainers — clear plastic trays or acrylic-and-wire plates — for people who already have one after braces or aligners. It is general education for readers near Mortlake, not a sales pitch for new orthodontic treatment. Follow the advice from the clinician who made your retainer, and ask at AMK Dental Clinic if unsure.
Why does the wear schedule matter?
Teeth tend to move back toward earlier positions once braces or aligners stop applying force (healthdirect; Better Health Channel). Healthdirect lists teeth moving again if you do not wear a retainer as advised among the risks after braces, aligners or retainers (healthdirect).
Your schedule is set by the treating clinician. Some people wear a removable retainer only at night; others wear it for more hours each day at first (healthdirect). Healthdirect notes that retainer wear may continue for 12 to 24 months or longer after braces (healthdirect). Wear patterns differ between people.
If you miss several days and the retainer then feels tight, contact the clinician who supplied it before forcing it into place. At AMK Dental Clinic in Mortlake we can help with advice — education first, not a push toward any brand of aligner or new course of treatment.
How should you clean a removable retainer?
Clean the retainer at least once a day, ideally around the time you brush your teeth. Orthodontics Australia advises cleaning morning and night with a soft toothbrush under cool or lukewarm running water, using a small amount of mild liquid soap or a non-abrasive cleaner your clinician has approved (Orthodontics Australia). Ordinary toothpaste can scratch plastic, so avoid it on the appliance unless your clinician says otherwise (Orthodontics Australia).
Rinse your mouth after eating before you put the retainer back in when you can (Orthodontics Australia). Keep brushing your own teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between the teeth (teeth.org.au; healthdirect). Ask which cleaning products suit your appliance; AMK Dental Clinic does not promote particular brands.
How should you store a retainer, and why avoid heat?
When the retainer is out of your mouth, keep it in its rigid plastic case. Orthodontics Australia advises rinsing it before you case it, and not wrapping it in a napkin or tissue or leaving it loose in a pocket or bag, where it is more likely to be lost, damaged or thrown away (Orthodontics Australia).
Avoid heat. Hot water, boiling water, dishwashers, direct sunlight and other heat sources can warp plastic retainers so they no longer fit (Orthodontics Australia). Use cool or lukewarm water unless your clinician has told you otherwise. Keep retainers away from pets, which often chew them. A warped or missing retainer cannot hold tooth positions as intended.
When should you call if a retainer is cracked, lost or suddenly tight?
Contact the dental team that supplied your retainer promptly if it cracks, chips, will not seat, is lost, or feels suddenly tight after a break in wear. Healthdirect and Better Health Channel both describe relapse — teeth moving after braces come off — as a reason retainers are used (healthdirect; Better Health Channel).
Do not reshape a cracked retainer with household heat or glue, and do not grind the plastic yourself. Bring the retainer (or what is left of it) to the appointment. At AMK Dental Clinic in Mortlake, phone (02) 9739 6525 or book online. See how to book an appointment at AMK.
Keep up daily tooth cleaning and check-ups
Removable retainers come out for brushing and for meals. Fixed (bonded) wires need careful cleaning around the wire with floss threaders or interdental brushes as shown when they were fitted (Orthodontics Australia; Better Health Channel).
Keep regular dental check-ups. A check-up and clean can review teeth, gums and retainer fit — assessment and advice first. See also how to floss properly.
Asking for retainer advice at AMK Dental Clinic in Mortlake
AMK Dental Clinic is at Shop 3, 46 Tennyson Road, Mortlake NSW 2137. We serve Mortlake and nearby suburbs including Breakfast Point, Cabarita, Concord, Rhodes and North Strathfield.
For advice about wearing, cleaning or replacing a removable retainer, book online or call (02) 9739 6525. Bring the retainer and any wear instructions if you have them. Opening hours are on the Contact page.
This page is general information only — not a personal diagnosis or orthodontic plan. Ask the clinician who treated you, or the team at AMK Dental Clinic, what suits your mouth.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for advice about your own situation. Please speak with a dentist about your needs.
Common questions
Why do I need a retainer after braces or aligners?
A retainer is a device used to help keep your teeth in position after braces or clear aligners. Healthdirect and Better Health Channel both note that teeth can move back toward earlier positions once active treatment ends, so retainers are used to hold the result. Wear time varies — night only or more hours — as your treating clinician advises. Ask at AMK Dental Clinic in Mortlake if you are unsure about your schedule.
How should I clean a removable retainer?
Clean the retainer at least once a day, ideally when you brush. Orthodontics Australia advises a soft toothbrush under cool or lukewarm running water with a small amount of mild liquid soap, and notes that ordinary toothpaste can be too abrasive for plastic. Rinse your mouth before putting the retainer back in. Avoid hot water, boiling water and dishwashers, which can warp plastic. Ask your dentist which cleaner suits your appliance.
Where should I store my retainer when it is out?
Keep a removable retainer in its rigid plastic case when it is not in your mouth. Orthodontics Australia advises rinsing it before casing it, and not wrapping it in a napkin or tissue or leaving it loose in a pocket or bag, where it is more likely to be lost, damaged or discarded. Keep it away from heat and out of reach of pets. Bring storage questions to AMK Dental Clinic in Mortlake if needed.
What if my retainer cracks, is lost, or feels suddenly tight?
Contact your treating clinician promptly. Healthdirect lists teeth moving again if you do not wear a retainer as advised among the risks after orthodontic treatment. A cracked or missing retainer cannot hold tooth positions as intended. Sudden tightness after a gap in wear can mean teeth have shifted — do not force a retainer that will not seat. At AMK Dental Clinic in Mortlake, phone (02) 9739 6525 or book online for advice.
Do I still need to brush and floss while wearing a retainer?
Yes. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between the teeth, and rinse or brush before replacing a removable retainer after meals when you can. Healthdirect and the Australian Dental Association both stress thorough cleaning during and after orthodontic treatment. See our guide on how to brush your teeth properly. Bring gum bleeding, pain or fit concerns to the team at AMK Dental Clinic.