Is a Waterpik Good for Permanent Retainer?

Many dentists recommend the purchase of a Waterpik to make flossing with a permanent retainer easier. Pressurized jets of water directed between teeth and underneath your permanent retainer remove bits of food and massage gums. Waterpiks can be as effective as regular flossing, but they can be expensive.

How do you clean behind a permanent retainer?

First pass a piece of floss through the threader, and then insert beneath the wire. Pull the floss forward until it's beneath the retainer what's beneath the wire floss as you normally would. If the wire is glued to each individual tooth, you will need to pull the floss out, and then be inserted between each tooth.

What should you avoid with a permanent retainer?

You can eat anything that you want, but should avoid hard or sticky foods that apply heavy pressure in the location of the bonded retainers. Do not chew sticky or hard foods that apply direct pressure on the retainer. If this happens, it will and can break.