Key points
- A fixed retainer is a thin wire bonded behind the front teeth. Plaque and tartar build up around it easily.
- Brush carefully around the wire and along the gum line every day.
- Use a floss threader or special floss to clean under the wire and between the teeth.
- Small interdental brushes or a water flosser can also help.
- Have the retainer checked at your dental visits. If it feels loose or a tooth moves, contact the practice.
Looking after your fixed retainer
Fixed retainers do a great job of keeping teeth straight, but they need a cleaning routine. In this video, Dr Sarah Sadek shows easy techniques for keeping the wire and the teeth around it clean.
If you notice the wire has come unstuck from a tooth, or feels sharp, do not leave it. A loose fixed retainer can let teeth move, so book a check as soon as you can.
Questions we often hear
How do I floss with a fixed retainer?
Use a floss threader or a floss with a stiff end to pass under the wire, then clean each side of the tooth. Interdental brushes and water flossers can help too.
What if my fixed retainer comes loose?
Contact the practice promptly. Avoid biting on it, and ask whether you should wear your removable retainer until it is repaired.
Does a fixed retainer last forever?
They can last for years, but wires can break or come unstuck. Regular checks help catch problems early.
Save on treatment with a Waterloo plan
Student Smile members get 15% off all treatments, including aligners and braces. Smile for Life plan members get 10% off private treatment, including aligners. Both plans also cover your check-ups and hygiene visits.
Student plans from £9.95/month → Practice plans from £10.95/month →
12-month minimum term. Student plans need a valid student card. The Waterloo Essentials plan discount does not include aligners; full details and exclusions are in the terms. Student terms · Practice plan terms.
Seeing us at Waterloo
Waterloo Dental & Orthodontics is at 223 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8XH, a short walk from Waterloo and Lambeth North stations and close to the Southbank. Call 020 7928 5844 or book online.
In this video
Dr Sarah Sadek
Specialist Orthodontist & Clinical Director
GDC No. 114943 · Waterloo · Croydon