Looking after your Retainer

This leaflet is written for patients who have been asked to wear retainers.

What are retainers?

• Retainers help keep your teeth straight after you have worn braces
• Retainers are just as important as the braces that you have been wearing.

How often must you wear your retainer?

• Night time only, every night
• You should wear your retainer long term (unless otherwise advised by your orthodontist)
• Store your retainer in the box provided.

How do you clean your retainer?

• Your retainer must be kept very clean to keep it in good condition
• Use running cold water (not hot water) to rinse all debris from it
• Then use a toothbrush and liquid soap (not toothpaste) to clean it
• You can use a brace cleaner eg Retainer Brite® (follow the instructions on the box).

What do I do if I forget to wear my retainer?

• If you forget to wear your retainer brace for a night, please keep it in all of the next day, taking out for meals only.

Can I eat or drink with my retainer in?

• You can drink cold water whilst wearing your retainer
• Do not eat or drink anything else when wearing your retainer, especially sweet things.

What if my retainer does not fit?

• It is important that your retainer fits comfortably
• If there are sharp edges, it is not comfortable, or loose, contact us so that it can be adjusted or remade
• It is important that you do not leave it out.

What happens if my retainer breaks or I lose it?

• Contact the Orthodontic Department straight away
• We will arrange to replace it
• We may have to charge for your new retainer (see below).

When would I have to pay for a new retainer?

• If you have lost your retainer
• If you have not worn your retainer for a period of time (several days). For example, if you forget to take your retainers away on holiday with you and on your return they do not fit
• Your retainer gets damaged. For example because they have been chewed by your dog, placed in hot water and deformed, trodden on etc
• If you want a spare set
• If your braces were removed over 12 months ago.

How much will it cost? 

• The current charge for replacement retainers at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is £35 per retainer.

Contact numbers

We hope you have found this information useful, but if you have any questions or are worried about anything, please speak to the orthodontic team:

Orthodontic Department (Dorset County Hospital): 01305 2551747
Orthodontic Department (University Hospitals Dorset): 0300 019 4694

Useful links

Hold That Smile (youtube.com/watch?v=5wCIFjlStzc)

About this leaflet

Author: Hugh Bellis, Consultant Orthodontist
Written: March 2021
Approved: April 2021
Review date: March 2025
Edition: v2

If you have feedback regarding the accuracy of the information contained in this leaflet, or if you would like a list of references used to develop this leaflet, please email patientinformation.leaflets@dchft.nhs.uk