A Hawley retainer is a removable appliance that is made of a piece of plastic that is molded to fit in your mouth and a metal wire that is custom fit around your teeth. This is a beneficial appliance that can help you maintain your straight smile when you get your braces off. To help you care for a Hawley retainer in Scottsdale, Arizona, our orthodontist, Dr. Galati, is happy to give you some instructions.
– Clean your retainer daily by brushing it with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. This can help remove the plaque and bacteria from the appliance. You can also soak the retainer in denture cleaner for a deeper clean.
– Keep your retainer away from extremely hot water or hot environment. This is important because the heat can warp the appliance and change the fit. This will make it so the retainer no longer fits in the mouth.
– When the retainer isn’t in your mouth, put it in the case provided and put it in a safe place. This is important because it’s easy to lose the retainer or accidentally throw it away when it’s sitting on your lunch tray.
If you have any questions or if you would like to know more about how to care for your retainer, please contact Galati Orthodontics at 480-656-7801 at your earliest convenience. Our orthodontic team is here to help you in any way we can, so please don’t be afraid to contact us!