How To Clean a Dirty Orthodontic Retainer from your Toronto Orthodontist

Credit for this post goes to our friends at Passamano Orthodontics in Irvine, California!

We’re going to show you how to clean a crusty orthodontic retainer, whether traditional wire and acrylic, or Invisalign / Vivera retainer.  If you’re actually wearing your retainers, it’s hard not to notice them becoming dirty; and you can’t brush that stuff off!  That’s because the calcium and other minerals in your saliva have attached themselves to your retainer similar to plaque/ calculus on your teeth.  It’s really easy to clean and very inexpensive too!

Let’s go …. Things you will need.

1. A Toothbrush (or Denture Brush we provide with your retainers)
2. White Vinegar from any market (You can use the 5% one that’s for food, this is the key ingredient)
3. Small Bowl and Warm Water

Directions.  Soak your Crusty Retainer in a warm bowl of half White Vinegar/half warm water for 20 minutes.   The vinegar will help break up the ‘barnacle‘ looking mineral deposit on your retainer.  Brush your retainer similar to your teeth.  Small little circles.  You probably will remove about 50-75% of the mineral-deposit.  Repeat the 20 minute soak and brush until it’s all gone.  You may soak it for longer periods of time if it’s extra crusty!

REMEMBER:  Many of our patients think that ONLY soaking your Invisalign or Retainers in Efferdent Cleaner will keep them clean.  This is false because you still need to manually debride and clean your retainers of the hidden minerals in your saliva.

If you have any questions, please stop by our Markham Orthodontist or Stouffville Orthodontist Facebook Pages and let us know!

Dr. Tam visits Vancouver Orthodontists Dr. Paul Helpard and Dr. Sam Daher

Dr. Helpard of Shoreline Orthodontics is a friend of Dr. Tam, your Toronto Invisalign specialist,  through the Hummingbird Study Club.  They recently met in beautiful Stanley Park for lunch with their families and the conversation naturally gravitated towards orthodontics.

Dr. Daher is a Vancouver and Calgary Invisalign specialist.  Dr. Tam and Dr. Daher lecture for Align Technology across Canada and the world.  You'll be hard pressed to find two more knowledgeable Invisalign doctors in Canada.  Recently, Dr. Tam went to visit Dr. Daher at Orthostyle in downtown Vancouver.  They discussed a number of different techniques, treatment plans, and management of Invisalign.  Although they are at the top of their fields, they both have the passion to continue to improve the scope of Invisalign treatment and quality of the experience for their patients.

Dr. Daher is an excellent doctor with a great team.  Their highly-trained team know a lot more about Invisalign that many certified orthodontists.  It is this kind of care that all patients should expect.

Thank you to both Dr. Helpard and Dr. Daher for your west coast welcome!

Meeting between Toronto Orthodontist and Las Vegas Pediatric Dentist

Your Toronto Invisalign orthodontist, Dr. Tam, recently went to visit his friend Dr. Alice Chen, a Las Vegas pediatric dentist in Summerlin, NV.  They trained together while Dr. Tam was in his orthodontic speciality residency at Boston University.  As many of our patients at MCO are young children, it is important to understand issues crossing both specialities in order to properly service everyone.  During his visit, the doctors discussed various aspects of orthodontic and pediatric dental care, as well as ways to improve patient customer service.

Dr. Tam and Dr. Chen in the reception area of Red Rock Kids Dental.

Summerlin pedodontist reception area.

Kid's dental operatory

Dr. Chen has managed to balance her personal life and professional life very well.  At the time of the visit, Dr. Chen was due to have her 2nd baby (edit:  congratulations on the birth of her new son!).  It is fantastic to see such great people who have the passion for both aspects of their life.  As a mother of two, she really understands what it is like to be a parent, and applies her care and compassion to the children in her practice.  If you're considering a pediatric dentist in the Vegas area, go and check out Red Rock Kids Dental.

Markham Invisalign Orthodontist Patient Appreciation Day

Celebrating our 7th year as your Unionville Orthodontist, MCO recently hosted our annual ice cream appreciation day.  Once again, we had our Lickety's soft serve ice cream for our patients and their families outside of MCO Markham.

We were blessed with great weather and a fantastic turnout.  Thanks again to our wonderful braces and Invisalign patients for telling us we're the best orthodontist in Markham!

Stouffville Orthodontist Supports Stouffville Strawberry Festival

We've been very fortunate to be the popular choice for orthodontist in Stouffville and MCO is very grateful to the community for its support.  We give back on a regular basis, and most recently, we were diamond sponsors for the Stouffville Strawberry Festival.

Dr. Tam had a busy weekend, volunteering as a judge for the Baby Show, attending the opening ceremonies with Mayor Emerson, MP Calandra, and MPP Jaczek, and meeting everyone at their booth on Main Street.  Everyone enjoyed our Invisalign Minute to Win it Challenge.  Many thanks to our wonderful patients who also volunteered their time!

It was a fantastic weekend and enjoyed by all!

Chinese Orthodontist Serving Markham, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Stouffville, and Toronto

At MCO, about 1/3 of our patients are Chinese.  While many of our patients speak english fluently, we are happy to provide services in Cantonese for those who feel more comfortable in doing so.  We recently had a commercial airing on Fairchild TV and would be happy to see you for a free consultation.

You can learn more about us in chinese here:  http://www.mcosmiles.com/assets/uploads/docs/chinese.pdf

American Association of Orthodontists Annual Meeting in Hawaii

In early May, Dr. Tam attended the annual AAO session in Hawaii.  Every couple of years, it is part of his mandate to make it to the AAO because it is a fantastic way to stay in tune with the new science as well as technology in our field.  There were seminars on practice management, use of retainers, facial aesthetics, and more.  

One of the best parts of the meeting is meeting and speaking with orthodontists from all over the world to share experiences and ideas.  Dr. Tam is fortunate to know some of the top Invisalign orthodontists in the world, and met up with them, including Dr. Sam Daher and Dr. Grant Duncan.  Often, this type of interaction leads to a number of great discussions!

Dr. Rob Passamano from Passamano Orthodontics in Irvine, CA.

Dr. Tam with Dr. John Callahan, Syracuse Orthodontist, NESO chair, and AAO delegate

Of course, when the meeting is in a place like Hawaii, it is a great time to also have some R and R with the family!

Beautiful rainbow in the morning overlooking Waikiki Beach.