After you have finished your orthodontic treatment, you receive a retainer that you’re supposed to wear every night in order to keep your teeth in alignment. However, it’s surprisingly easy to lose! The last thing you want to do is have to purchase a new one. We’re sharing a few tips that will prevent you or your child from losing your retainer.
- Keep it in a brightly colored case.
Choosing a case that has bold, bright colors can help you hang onto it. In fact, there’s a reason behind why this can work. Our minds are geared to notice contrasting colors. So if your case is a noticeable color, it’s far easier for you to remember it than one that blends in the background. You can even decorate it with fun stickers, so it really sticks out.
- Don’t put it in a napkin.
Although tempting, avoid putting your retainer in a napkin. It’s really easy to confuse a folded up napkin for a piece of garbage that needs to be thrown away. So even though it’s tempting to put your retainer in a napkin during lunch time, put it in it’s case instead. If you are worried about the saliva gunking up your case, take a small toothbrush and a little toothpaste with you. That way you can clean your retainer and the case when you’re ready to wear it again.
- Set a reminder.
When you wake up in the morning, it’s understandable to groggily take off your retainer and worry about putting it away later. Unfortunately, that’s an easy way of losing it. So set a reminder on your phone that prompts you to put it away in its case.
- Take it on and off at the same time and location.
Making something a habit is an easy way of never forgetting or losing something. Put your retainer right at the location where you brush your teeth at night and in the morning. Keep it right next to your toothbrush, and right after you brush your teeth, put it on or put it away. By adding it to your regular routine, you’re sure to not lose sight of it.
- Recruit others for help.
If you just can’t seem to hang onto your retainer, enlist the help of others. Ask a family member or roommate to remind you occasionally to put your retainer away or to wear it. Ideally, by asking them to check in with you, you are far more likely to remember it. If your children are wearing retainers, ask them right before bed and when they wake up, if they have their retainer and if it’s been put away.
Your retainer is an important part of keeping your teeth straight. Hopefully with these tips, you’ll never lose your retainer again. To schedule an appointment in Greeley, CO, call Richter Orthodontics today at 970-500-5928 or schedule online.
