How to clean my retainer? If you’re new to having one this is the number one question that you should be asking yourself. The plastic tray and the moisture from your saliva make for a breeding ground for gross bacteria.
On top of bacteria build up, your retainers will actually become more prone to falling apart if you let them get too dirty or dry. As you can see, a lot more goes into keeping them up than brushing them like you would your teeth.
To help you keep your retainer nice and pristine, we’ve compiled the following five tips.
1. Take Water on the Go
Rather you have a retainer for grinding teeth or one to keep your teeth aligned, it’s going to gather bacteria. While you can’t stop it, you can control it a little. If you feel like your retainer is getting dirty you can drink or swish water.
Dry retainers are prone to breakage so the water can also prevent that as well as dry mouth.
2. Using Toothpaste
Retainers need to be brushed the same as your teeth. The only thing is they can’t be cleaned the exact same way. You’ll need to use a non-abrasive toothpaste and a soft bristled brush to prevent stains and scratches.
Once you’ve brushed your retainer, you’re free to take it out and brush your teeth with the toothpaste and brush you would normally use.
3. Is Denture Cleaner Safe?
If you don’t have any other cleaning products around it’s fine for you to use denture cleaner. Don’t make a habit out of it though because it can turn your retainer yellow after too many uses.
To avoid the possibility, only let your retainer soak for 20 minutes. When the time is up, take it out and brush it with your soft bristled brush.
4. Baking Soda
If your retainer has yellowed or stained, you can use baking soda to whiten it right up. It’s also a non-abrasive way to get rid of your everyday bacteria.
All you need to do is make a paste using water and baking soda. Make sure that it’s thick enough for you to use it the same way you would toothpaste.
5. Retainer Cleaner
If you don’t want to make your own solution, you can always purchase retainer cleaner. If you do this it’s important that you follow the instructions on the box to the letter.
If you’re not sure which cleaner would be best for you, talk to your orthodontist. They may be able to give you a list of a few brands that will meet your unique needs.
How to Clean My Retainer: Your Step by Step Guide
If you don’t care for your retainer correctly, it can become a breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria. It can also tear apart if you let it get too dirty or dry. If you use this guide on how to clean my retainer though, you’ll be able to keep it nice and pristine.
Was this cleaning guide helpful for you? Check out the health section of our blog for more oral health tips and tricks!
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