Can you drink water with retainers?

Can you drink water with a retainer in?

Cleveland Clinic's retainer page does not say whether you can drink water, soda or hot drinks with a removable retainer in; it advises removing it when you eat and says to ask your dental provider about drinking. The American Association of Orthodontists' page also does not address drinking water or other drinks, and says to take removable retainers out while eating to prevent potential damage. So there is no source answer, and ours is reasoning: plain cool water is the lowest-risk drink, because it does not stain or sit against the teeth, and it is flagged as such.

Can you drink soda or sugary drinks with a retainer?

Neither source says. The concern, which is our reasoning, is that a retainer holds a sugary or acidic drink against your teeth, much as aligner trays can. Healthline's page on aligners and braces says sugary or carbonated drinks can get trapped against the teeth under aligners, which is a different appliance but a similar idea. If you want a soda, take the retainer out, drink it, rinse your mouth and brush before putting the retainer back in.

Can you drink hot drinks with a retainer?

Heat is the issue to watch. Cleveland Clinic says to avoid leaving a retainer somewhere hot, like a car or stovetop, where it can melt, and the AAO says to avoid hot water when cleaning because it can damage the retainer. Neither source mentions hot drinks, but a hot drink with a removable plastic retainer in is an obvious risk to its shape, which is general reasoning and flagged. Take it out for tea and coffee.

Why do you take a removable retainer out to eat?

The AAO says it is recommended to take out removable retainers while eating to prevent potential damage. Cleveland Clinic says to take it out when you eat and not to chew gum while wearing it. Chewing can crack or bend the appliance and trap food against the teeth, and the retainer also gets in the way of chewing.

How should you clean a retainer?

Cleveland Clinic says to clean it at least once a day, brush and floss your teeth before putting it in, brush a removable retainer with antibacterial soap and water using a soft toothbrush, and avoid harsh toothpastes that can damage it. It says to ask your provider whether an effervescent cleanser is safe, to scrub gently with water, baking soda and a soft toothbrush for yellowing, and with soap and water for odor. The AAO says to brush gently daily, soak it at least once a week in a retainer-cleaning solution, avoid products with alcohol or bleach, and store it in its case. Our guides on how to clean a retainer cover this.

What else should you avoid?

Cleveland Clinic lists chewing gum while wearing it, leaving it somewhere hot, wrapping it in a napkin or putting it in a pocket or purse outside its case, letting pets near it, and harsh toothpastes. Wrapping it in a napkin is a common way to lose or throw away a retainer, which is why a case matters.

How long do you have to wear a retainer?

The AAO says the duration depends on your orthodontist's advice and your stage of post-treatment, and notes a retainer is typically needed for a lifetime, though how often you wear it may decrease. Cleveland Clinic's wording differs, as our guides on how long to wear a retainer explain. Ask your orthodontist for your own schedule.

What does a replacement retainer cost?

The sources we read do not give prices and neither does this page. If you lose or break a retainer, ask the orthodontist for a written quote for a replacement and whether a copy of your mold is kept.

Questions to ask your orthodontist

Take these to your check-up.

• Can I drink water and other drinks with my retainer in?
• How should I clean it, and how often?
• When do I wear it, and for how long?
• What should I do if it breaks?
• Do you keep my mold for replacements?

Frequently asked questions