Fixed Retainer Post-Insertion Instructions

What You Should Do After Receiving Your Fixed Retainers

Fixed retainers are also known as lingual wires, and they are attached to the back of the teeth using a special dental adhesive. These retainers are typically made of a thin flexible wire that is barely visible when the patient is speaking or smiling. They are very effective at maintaining the alignment of the teeth, but they do require more maintenance and cleaning to keep them in good condition. It is important to follow these post-visit instructions to ensure a successful fixed retainer experience.

If you have not had your fixed retainer appointment yet, please read our pre-visit instructions.

Food

• There are no restrictions on the types of foods or drinks you can eat. However, we caution you against biting hard foods with the front teeth that have the fixed retainer. With enough biting force or cyclical fatigue, the permanent retainers can become loose, broken or go missing.

Oral Hygiene

• Brush At Least Twice A Day: Fixed retainers can make oral hygiene more difficult. Conventional wisdom says that you should brush at least twice a day; once in the morning and once before you go to bed. Two times a day is a good rule of thumb. But ideally, you should brush right after a meal. This is to maximize the amount of time your teeth stay clean between meals.
• When You Cannot Brush Your Teeth, Rinse With Water Or Mouthwash: It is sometimes not practical to be brushing after every meal. You may be busy at work or at school during your day and cannot find time to brush or floss. If this is the case, at least rinse with water or mouthwash to get as much food debris and taste out of your mouth. One brand that we highly recommend is Colgate Total 12HR Pro-Shield CPC Mouthwash.
• Consider Upgrading Your Toothbrush: Ensure you are using a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your teeth, as they are gentler on enamel and less likely to cause damage or irritation to gum tissue. One brand of toothbrush that we highly recommend is the Curaprox CS5460 Ultra Soft Swiss Toothbrush. Also consider upgrading to an electric toothbrush, which can be more effective at removing plaque and bacteria on teeth and gums. One brand of electric toothbrush that we highly recommend is the Philips Sonicare Protectiveclean 6100.
• Floss Daily: Flossing is critical to remove plaque and food particles that may accumulate around teeth and gums. Flossing under the fixed retainer will be challenging with conventional floss. We recommend Oral-B Super Floss instead. The stiff end of the Super Floss will allow you to pass the floss underneath the fixed wire.
• Buy A Water Flosser: We highly recommend you purchase a Water Flosser and to use it daily in addition to regular flossing; the Water Flosser will flush out debris missed by floss and toothbrush. Ideally you should be water flossing every time you brush, but once a day is the bare minimum. One brand that we highly recommend is the Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser 
• Use An All-Encompassing Antibacterial Mouthwash Daily: Rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash specially formulated for cavity prevention, gum care and fresh breath daily. Ideally you should be rinsing with mouthwash every time you brush, but once a day is the bare minimum. One brand that we highly recommend is Colgate Total 12HR Pro-Shield CPC Mouthwash.
• Use An All-Encompassing Toothpaste: Be sure to use a toothpaste that has fluoride to prevent cavities and promote gum health. One brand that we highly recommend is the Colgate Total Advanced Professional Clean Toothpaste.

Have Questions?

• If you have any additional questions or concerns about your fixed retainer treatment, please contact us.