← Patient Instructions
Care Instructions

Retainer Care Guide

Your retainer is what protects everything you worked for. Follow these guidelines to keep your smile stable and your retainer in top condition for the long term.

Why It Matters

Why You Need to Wear Your Retainer

Teeth are highly prone to relapse — noticeable shifting can occur within just a few days of removing braces or aligners. The periodontal ligaments and surrounding bone require 6–12 months to reorganize and stabilize around new tooth positions, making this period especially vulnerable to post-treatment relapse.

Without consistent retainer use, you risk compromising the significant time, financial investment, and effort dedicated to your smile transformation.

3 mo
Full-time wear required after treatment
治療後需全天配戴
6–12
Months for bone to fully stabilize
骨骼完全穩定所需月數
∞
Nighttime wear recommended for life
建議終生夜間配戴

Wear Schedule

配戴時程

Phase 1
第一階段
First 3 Months
治療後前三個月

Wear full time — 22+ hours per day. Remove only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. This is the most critical period for stabilization.

全天配戴——每天22小時以上。僅在進食、飲水、刷牙及使用牙線時取下。這是穩定牙齒位置最關鍵的時期。

Phase 2
第二階段
Long Term
長期配戴

Transition to nighttime wear indefinitely. Every case is unique — always follow Dr. Luke's specific instructions for your situation.

過渡至夜間配戴並長期維持。每個案例情況不同——請務必遵循Dr. Luke針對您的具體指示。

Daily Care

每日護理

Clean daily with a soft toothbrush and mild soap. Never use toothpaste — it scratches the surface. 每日用軟毛牙刷和溫和肥皂清潔。切勿使用牙膏——會刮傷保持器表面。
Soak occasionally in retainer or denture cleaning tablets to control buildup and odor. 偶爾用保持器或假牙清潔片浸泡，以控制積垢和異味。
Brush and floss before reinserting. Never put a retainer over unclean teeth. 放回保持器前先刷牙並使用牙線。切勿在未清潔牙齒的情況下戴上保持器。
Do not eat or drink anything except plain water while wearing your retainer. 配戴保持器時，除白開水外請勿進食或飲用任何飲料。

Handling & Storage

處理與保存

Always store in its case when not in your mouth. Never wrap in napkins or tissues — that's how retainers get thrown away. 不戴時務必放入盒中保存。切勿用餐巾紙或紙巾包裹——這是保持器被丟棄的常見原因。
Keep away from pets — they love to chew retainers. Keep the case out of reach. 遠離寵物——牠們很愛咬保持器。請將保持器盒放在牠們無法觸及之處。
Keep away from heat — no boiling water, dishwashers, hot cars, or direct sunlight. Heat warps retainers permanently. 遠離熱源——禁止使用沸水、洗碗機、熱車或直接日曬。高溫會使保持器永久變形。

Lost or broken retainers require replacement and will incur a fee. Notify us promptly — teeth can shift quickly without a retainer in place.

遺失或損壞的保持器需要更換，並將收取費用。請盡快通知我們——沒有保持器，牙齒可能迅速移位。

Follow-Up & Retention Checks

複診與保持器檢查

Bring your retainers to every dental or orthodontic visit so we can check fit and wear. 每次牙科或矯正複診時請攜帶保持器，以便我們檢查貼合度和磨損情況。
Regular retention checks are included for patients continuing care at Agape Dental Group. 繼續在愛加倍牙科診所就診的患者，定期保持器檢查已包含在護理計畫中。

Questions about your retainer?

Call your nearest location — we're happy to help.

Cupertino 408.873.8321 Fremont 510.792.5551 Milpitas 408.935.9555