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Get ready to celebrate the importance of dental hygiene and straight teeth on International Retainer Day on July 19! This holiday was created as a way to promote the use of retainers for maintaining a healthy smile after orthodontic treatment. Did you know that retainers have been used since ancient times? From sticks and animal skins to modern-day plastic versions, retainers have come a long way in helping people keep their pearly whites in place. So let's take a moment to appreciate this often overlooked but essential dental accessory and celebrate with confidence in our beautiful smiles!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>400-500 AD</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Early Orthodontics</div><div class='timeline-text'>Ancient civilizations used sticks, animal skins, and crude metal bands to straighten teeth, marking the beginning of orthodontics and early forms of retainers.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1728</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Beginnings of Modern Orthodontics</div><div class='timeline-text'>French dentist Pierre Fauchard published a book describing methods to straighten teeth and maintain their position post treatment, laying the groundwork for modern retainers.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1819</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Wire Crib Retainer</div><div class='timeline-text'>Christophe-Francois Delabarre invented the wire crib, widely considered the first modern retainer. This marked a major step forward in retainer technology.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1970s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Introduction of Clear Retainers</div><div class='timeline-text'>Clear plastic retainers were introduced, offering a less noticeable option than traditional wire retainers and improving patient comfort and acceptance.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Light Activated Retainers</div><div class='timeline-text'>New innovations introduced retainers activated by light, revolutionizing the fit and effectiveness of retainers and increasing patient satisfaction.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2019</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First International Retainer Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first International Retainer Day was celebrated, raising awareness about the importance of retainers and celebrating the progress in orthodontic technology.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a retainer-themed party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your friends and family and throw a party to celebrate International Retainer Day! Decorate with retainer-shaped balloons, serve snacks in retainer cases, and have a contest for the best retainer-themed costume.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Give back to the community</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>In honor of International Retainer Day, volunteer at a local dental clinic or organization that provides dental care to those in need. You can also donate gently used retainers to programs that provide them to individuals who cannot afford them.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a retainer fashion show</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get creative and have some fun by organizing a retainer fashion show with your friends. Use different types of retainers as accessories and see who can come up with the most unique and stylish look. Bonus points for incorporating oral hygiene products into the outfit!</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a retainer trivia night</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Test your friends' knowledge on all things retainer related by hosting a trivia night. You can make it educational by including fun facts about retainers and their history, or make it more lighthearted with silly questions about retainers in pop culture.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Get creative with retainer art</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Use your old retainers to create unique and one-of-a-kind pieces of art. You can make jewelry, keychains, or even use them as stamps for painting. Get creative and have fun with it!</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Retainers keep your teeth aligned</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Wearing a retainer ensures that all the time, effort and cost put into orthodontic treatment is not wasted. It helps to maintain the alignment of your teeth and prevent them from shifting back to their original position. This results in a healthier and more beautiful smile!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Retainers can improve oral health</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>In addition to keeping your teeth aligned, wearing a retainer can also improve your overall oral health. By properly aligning your teeth, it can make brushing and flossing more effective, reducing the risk of cavities, gum disease, and other dental issues.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Retainers build discipline and responsibility</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Consistently wearing a retainer requires discipline and responsibility, which are important values to develop in life. It teaches individuals the importance of commitment and taking care of their possessions - in this case, their retainer and their oral health.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Retainers Were Initially Made Using Precious Metals</h3><p class='facts-content'>In early dentistry, retainers and other orthodontic devices were often made using gold, silver, and other precious metals, a stark contrast to the plastic materials commonly used today.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Charles E. Kesling Modernized the Retainer Design in the 20th Century</h3><p class='facts-content'>Orthodontist Charles E. Kesling began the shift to the modern Hawley retainer design that we see today with an adjustable metal wire and plastic body in the mid-20th century.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Retainers are Custom-Fit to Each Individual's Mouth</h3><p class='facts-content'>Each retainer is unique as it is molded to the exact shape of an individual's mouth. This ensures a proper and comfortable fit while maintaining the correct alignment of teeth.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Retainers Typically Cost Less than Braces or Aligners</h3><p class='facts-content'>While braces and aligners can easily cost thousands of dollars, retainers are often much less expensive, making them a cost-effective way to sustain the benefits of orthodontic treatments.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Around 25% of Retainer Wearers Need a Replacement Each Year</h3><p class='facts-content'>Due to issues such as wear and tear, loss, or damage, about one in four recipients of a retainer will need a replacement each year, reinforcing the need for care and responsibility while handling retainers.</p></div></div>
International Retainer Day is celebrated on July 19 every year. In 2024 International Retainer Day will occur on a Friday.
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