There are many instances when people need to wear braces. The duration for the same varies from person to person. Sometimes it may take two years or even more. But once they are removed, it is essential to use a retainer. A retainer helps to retain the position of teeth by stabilizing them. As a result, you can smile freely without any worries.
When it comes to retainers, custom Hawley Retainer comes to mind. It is one of the most popular retainers and is recommended by most of the orthodontists. The reason behind its popularity is its comfort level and durability. You can easily buy Hawley Retainer online. What you need to focus on is its quality and fitting.
Once you start using Hawley Retainer, it is essential to keep it clean. To help you out on the same iHomeDental presents you with 5 tips for cleaning and maintaining Hawley Retainer.
5 tips for cleaning and maintaining Hawley Retainer.
Clean your retainer on a regular basis:
It is essential to clean your Hawley Retainer on a daily basis. You can use a soft-bristle toothbrush to clean your retainer gently. It helps to remove the plague thus prevents you from many diseases.
It is also essential to deep clean your retainer on a weekly basis. This will get you rid of tartar and microbes. It will also make your retainer looking brand new.
You can use mild dish soap for the same. You can use water and white vinegar in an equal amount to soak retainer for 5-10 minutes. You can also use an effervescent tablet to clean the retainer.
Avoid heat exposure:
Hawley retainers are molded out of acrylic. It means exposing them to high heat can result in warping. This can completely damage your retainer. So keep your Hawley retainer away from boiling water, microwaves, the dashboard of your car, and so on. This will help to increase the life of your retainer.
Protect with case:
A case is not only for protecting your Hawley Retainer from getting damaged due to pressure. It also keeps your retainer clean from dirt and other contaminants. So it is advised to go for a case that can fit both upper and lower retainers properly. You can go for a case that comes with a snap-lock closing mechanism. Ventilation is another aspect that you need to consider while buying a case.
If you have purchased a good quality Hawley retainer online then there are good chances that it comes with the right case. If not, you can order it separately. It will be beneficial for you in the long run.
Avoid using toothpaste:
A toothpaste is good for cleaning teeth but not for cleaning retainers. Most of the toothpaste available in the market is mildly abrasive. As a result, they can scratch the soft and delicate areas of your retainer. So it is good to avoid toothpaste. You can use liquid soap, hand soap, or even baking soda to clean your retainer.
Prevent dry outs:
When it comes to retainers, dryness is their biggest enemy. When you keep your retainers dry for a long duration, they become a home for the plague. The plague will attach firmly which makes it difficult for you to remove afterward
Moreover, cycling between the dry and wet will degrade your retainers. In some cases cracks take place. To prevent this you can soak your retainers in distilled water for some time, on a regular basis through the day. This will adds more months to your Hawley Retainers.
Conclusion:
Cleaning and maintaining Hawley Retainers is not so difficult as it seems to be. They just require some proper care in the same way as you take care of your teeth. The only thing is, they are artificial and are less robust as compared to your teeth. But you can take good care of your Hawley Retainers by following some simple tips that are presented to you.
