You’ve completed your KiyoClear treatment plan– congratulations! You now have a healthier and straighter smile. With some diligence and easy maintenance, you can preserve that new smile. Here’s how.
1. Wear your retainer consistently!
Your last KiyoClear Aligner is a hard aligner that can be used as a retainer, or your doctor may make you a new one using a similar, clear material.
The period for wearing your retainer depends on your treatment plan, but at the beginning your doctor will probably advise you to wear your retainer all the time, including when you sleep, removing it only to eat or clean (see #2 below).
Your retainer will keep your teeth in place while you sleep as well, so it’s important that you follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter and wear your retainer at bedtime. Over time you may only be required to wear it at night.
Wearing your retainer is vital to keeping your new newly straightened teeth from shifting back to their old, unhealthy position (called ‘relapse’). Unfortunately, many patients stop wearing their retainers over time. Why?
- They lose their retainer.
- The retainer breaks.
- The retainer gets old, and they don’t want to wear it anymore.
- They stop wearing the retainer, and then can’t get it back in place.
- The retainer wears out over time and doesn’t hold their teeth in the right place .
2. Keep your post-treatment appointment(s)
Your doctor can determine if anything is amiss, such as subtle shifts in teeth after treatment. They can also check your retainer and make adjustments or make a new retainer if necessary. Don’t wait until your teeth have relapsed and you can’t wear your retainer anymore, or you may have to go back to wearing aligners!
3. Get regular check-ups and cleanings
Good oral hygiene is important to your long-term health. Getting your twice-yearly cleaning will keep your teeth and gums healthy. Don’t forget to floss on the regular, too
4. Keep your retainer clean
To keep your retainer germ free and your mouth healthy, gently clean your retainer with a soft toothbrush. Or you can purchase a product like Retainer Brite on Amazon. Simply pop a Retainer Brite tablet into a cup with your retainer and let it soak. Then, rinse, dry and you’re good to go!
Remember, once treatment is over, there’s still work to be done to keep those beautiful teeth looking their best. Follow these steps for optimal results!