Whether you use Invisalign, a sports guard or a night appliance, here’s how to properly care for your custom-made dental retainer in Ladysmith, BC.
At Ladysmith Smiles, our dentists create custom dental retainers in Ladysmith to help with everything from straightening your teeth to protecting them while you sleep or during sports activities. These custom dental retainers—whether they’re Invisalign aligners, night guards, or sports mouthguards—are made with the highest quality materials and built to last, but do require regular care. By cleaning your custom retainer properly, storing them safely, and following the care instructions provided by your Ladysmith dentist, your dental retainer can stay hygienic and effective for a longer period of time. Here’s how to properly care for your dental retainer:
How To Wear Your Dental Retainer
Caring properly for your dental retainer begins with wearing it as prescribed by your Ladysmith dentist and dental hygienist. At each check-up at our Ladysmith dental clinic, we’ll talk about any changes in your lifestyle or oral health that might affect the optimal way to wear your dental retainer. Whether you’re using Invisalign clear aligners, a night guard, or a sports mouthguard, taking care of these custom appliances through proper wear ensures they continue to work effectively and provide the protection your teeth need.
For Invisalign clear aligners, it’s important to wear them for 20-22 hours a day or as directed by your Ladysmith dentist. This consistent wear helps your teeth gradually shift into their ideal positions and prevents any backsliding or delays in your treatment. If you don’t wear them as recommended, your teeth could shift, meaning you may need to extend your treatment time or even get new aligners, which could affect both the cost and outcome. You should also remove your aligners when eating or drinking anything other than water, as food and beverages (especially hot drinks, sugary, or staining foods) can damage the aligners and cause staining. Always brush your teeth before reinserting the aligners to keep them clean and your mouth fresh.
For night guards, wearing them every night is just as important. Night guards are designed to protect your teeth from grinding or clenching, which many people do while they sleep without realizing it. This can lead to worn-down teeth, cracks, or even jaw pain and headaches. Wearing your night guard regularly ensures your teeth stay protected and prevents these issues from developing. Be sure to remove it when eating or drinking, and always clean it before storing it in its case.
Similarly, a custom sports mouthguard is a key dental retainer for protecting your teeth during physical activities, especially high-contact sports. If you don’t wear your mouthguard, your teeth are at risk of serious injury, including chips, cracks, or even losing a tooth. A properly fitted mouthguard absorbs impact and shields your smile, preventing these kinds of accidents. Always wear it during both games and practices of sports that may risk the health of your smile. If you take part in sports like basketball, boxing, hockey, football, gymnastics, lacrosse, martial arts, racquetball, rugby, track and field, skateboarding, skiing, snowboarding, skydiving, soccer, surfing, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting, or wrestling, the Canadian Dental Association advises wearing a mouthguard to protect your teeth.
How To Clean Your Dental Retainer
Properly cleaning your dental retainer is the most important thing you can do for extending its lifespan. After removing your Invisalign aligners, night guard, or sports mouthguard, rinse them with lukewarm water to prevent plaque buildup. Then, use a soft toothbrush and mild soap, cleaning crystals or diluted vinegar. A gentle toothpaste can also be used, but with caution. Since most toothpastes contain abrasive ingredients, they can cause your retainer to scratch and then build bacteria in the small indents. You can also soak your aligners or night guard in a mixture of water and baking soda to freshen them up and remove any bacteria. Whichever method you opt for, be sure to rinse thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth. For your retainers and mouthguards, ensure you let them air dry completely before storing them in their case to avoid bacteria growth…but more on that in the next section.
How To Store Your Dental Retainer
After cleaning your Invisalign aligners, night guard, or sports mouthguard, always place them in their protective case to avoid losing or damaging them. Never leave your dental retainer on a napkin, in your pocket, or anywhere it could accidentally be thrown away. Sports guards, night guards and Invisalign mouthguards should always be completely dry before being stored in their case to avoid any bacteria buildup which can cause mold or smell. Keeping your dental retainer away from extreme heat or sunlight (like leaving it in your car during the summer months), is also important as the heat can cause warping. Take care of your dental retainer so it can take care of your smile when you need it!
How long do dental retainers last?
The lifespan of your dental retainer depends on a variety of individual factors such as frequency of use, how well it’s taken care of, as well as what type you have and its purpose. For Invisalign clear aligners, you’ll need to replace them every one to two weeks regardless as you move through your treatment plan. Once you’re done with the active treatment, your final retainer is made with a stronger material, which can last several years if you wear and care for it properly. Night guards usually last about one to three years, but if you grind your teeth heavily, you may require a new one sooner to continue protecting your teeth to the same degree. If you notice any cracks or that it no longer fits well, it’s time to replace it. Sports mouthguards typically last one to two years, but frequent use or signs of wear, like cracks or thinning, mean it’s time for a replacement to keep your teeth safe. Regular cleaning and proper storage will help extend the life of all your appliances. With all retainers available at our Ladysmith dental clinic, you may need to replace them sooner if you (or our dental team) notice the fit being off. It’s natural for your smile to shift slightly and grow (especially for young athletes who require mouthguards!) so we always recommend bringing your retainer to your dental appointments for us to take a look.
How do you tell if you need a new retainer?
As your dental retainer gets regular use, it’s important to pay attention to any signs that it might need replacing. Whether it’s your Invisalign aligners, night guard, or sports mouthguard, noticing changes in fit or comfort early on will help keep your teeth protected and your smile on track. These are common signs that your dental retainer might need to be replaced:
Invisalign clear aligners:
- No longer fit properly or feel loose.
- Hard to get them to snap into place.
- Cause discomfort or don’t align your teeth as expected.
Night guards:
- Cracked or visibly worn down.
- Thinning or no longer fit comfortably.
- No longer feels protective, or you notice increased jaw pain or tooth sensitivity.
Sports mouthguards:
- Cracks, holes, or visible damage.
- Feels less protective during use.
- No longer fits comfortably and/or securely.
If you notice any of these signs, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Ladysmith dental team to book your next appointment where we can provide a proper assessment of your dental retainer.
Should I wear my retainer if it’s broken?
If your dental retainer becomes damaged, the first thing to do is stop using it to avoid further damage or discomfort. If your Invisalign aligner becomes cracked or doesn’t fit properly, call our Ladysmith dental clinic to make an appointment as soon as possible to avoid delay in your treatment plan (bring your aligners with you!). For night guards, if you notice cracks or it’s no longer providing the protection it once did, it’s best to replace it as soon as possible to prevent any damage to your teeth. Similarly, if your sports mouthguard gets damaged or starts losing its protective ability, it’s important to replace it before using it again, especially during high-contact sports. In all cases, don’t hesitate to contact our dental team in Ladysmith as soon as possible for follow-up advice—our team of dental professionals will help you figure out the next best step to keep your smile safe and healthy.
Aligners, Retainers, Sports Guards and Night (Bite) Appliances in Ladysmith
Whether you’re looking to straighten your teeth or protect them while you sleep or during sports, our dental team provides custom-made dental aligners, retainers, sports guards and night (bite) appliances—plus, the ongoing support to take care of them—right here in Ladysmith, BC. To learn more or book your first appointment with our dental clinic, get in touch today.