Caring for Braces, Aligners, and Retainers
- Guidelines for maintaining your orthodontic appliances
- Call our after-hours urgent care hotline at 707-548-6247. A clinician will respond with instructions.
- Call 707-525-1180 during office hours for answers to your questions
How to care for braces
The importance of thorough care
Proper oral hygiene may be a bit more difficult with braces, which makes it essential you develop best practices to keep your braces, teeth, and mouth clean and healthy. Taking good care of your smile prevents dental problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and demineralization.
If left untreated, these problems can cause more serious oral health issues, and they can prolong your orthodontic treatment.
Guidelines for oral care with braces
- Brush after every meal and any sugary snacks, and always rinse well with water.
- Carry a toothbrush and toothpaste in your backpack or briefcase for easy brushing.
- Interproximal brushes help clean brackets and wires. It’s like a toothpick with bristles on one end and cleans areas your toothbrush can’t reach due to braces.
- Floss daily with a floss threader that lets you thread floss behind braces wires to reach every crevice.
- Avoiding sticky, hard, and crunchy foods such as caramel, popcorn or chewing gum that can damage your braces.
Have more questions about how to clean braces and maintain good oral hygiene?
Contact our Santa Rosa office at 707-525-1180 or click here for answers.
How to take care of aligners
Caring for your clear aligners is crucial to ensure their longevity and effectiveness in straightening your teeth. Neglecting proper maintenance can lead to bacterial growth and discoloration, compromising both the aesthetics and hygiene of your aligners.
By consistently cleaning and storing your aligners as directed, you can achieve optimal results and maintain good oral health throughout your treatment.
How to clean aligners
Your aligners should be “crystal clear” at all times. Cloudiness can indicate plaque accumulation, which can damage your teeth.
Brush your aligners gently with soap and cool water after every meal. Avoid toothpaste, which can scratch the aligner material. Never use hot water, as it can warp the aligner that has been custom-fit to your teeth.
Denture cleaner can be used in addition to brushing (if you do not have a sulfa allergy). Place the aligners in cool water with a denture cleaning tablet to soak for 15 minutes, then rinse.
Other tips for how to care for aligners
Remove your aligners when eating – never consume anything but water with your aligners in place. And whenever you remove your aligners, store them in their case. Do not put them in your pocket or in a napkin, as this can cause damage or accidental discarding of the aligners.
Have more questions about how to clean and take care of aligners?
Contact our Santa Rosa office at 707-525-1180 or click here for answers.
How to take care of retainers
How to clean retainers
It’s important to keep your retainer free from plaque and food particles that can invite tooth decay and gum disease. So, brush your retainer every time you brush your teeth. Avoid toothpaste, which scratches plastic, and hot water, which can warp your retainer. You can also soak it in denture cleaner, but daily brushing is essential.
Other tips for how to care for retainers
Have more questions about how to clean and take care of retainers?
Contact our Santa Rosa office at 707-525-1180 or click here for answers.
Conveniently located at
- Just minutes from Rohnert Park, CA and Windsor, CA