Most orthodontic treatments rely on wearing a retainer, as it helps maintain the alignment of teeth after braces are removed. Still, frequent cleaning of your retainer keeps it hygienic and useful. This guide will walk you through the best techniques for cleaning your retainer and keeping it in top condition. Whether your retainer is made of clear plastic, Hawley, Essex, or any other type, this article will guide you on how to clean retainers to keep it fresh.
Why it’s important to clean your retainer
You should clean your retainer for several different reasons:
- Prevents bacteria buildup: Like teeth, retainers can help tartar, plaque, and bacterial growth to develop. Regular neglect of them could lead to gum disease, bad breath, even tooth decay.
- Maintains clarity: Particularly clear plastic retainers might turn discoloured or foggy without proper care. Their clarity and look remain better with regular cleaning.
- Prolongs the retainer’s life: Proper cleaning of your retainer guarantees that it stays in good shape, so extending the lifetime and effectiveness of it.
- Prevents odour: If a dirty retainer smells terrible, wearing it would be awkward. Frequent washing helps your retainer to stay fresh.
How to Clean Different Types of Retainers
There are several different kinds of retainers, and every one of them may need a different cleaning method. Below are the most common types and how to clean them:
How to clean a clear plastic retainer
- Rinse after removal: Rine your retainer under lukewarm water when you take it off. This helps to clear loose trash and saliva.
- Use a soft toothbrush: Regular toothpaste could be too harsh and damage the surface of your retainer. instead, brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste.
- Soak in a retainer cleaner: Soak your retainer in a cleaner specifically designed for retainers, or use a mixture of mild dish soap and water for 15 to 20 minutes. Avoid using hot water as it can warp the plastic.
- Rinse thoroughly: After soaking, give the retainer a thorough lukewarm water before putting it back in your mouth.
How to clean a hawley retainer
Hawley retainers use acrylic and metal wires. Long-term performance of both materials depends on their being properly cleaned.
- Rinse after use: Like with clear retainers, every time you remove your Hawley retainer clean it with lukewarm water.
- Brush with a soft toothbrush: To gently clean the metal and acrylic sections of the retainer, use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Avoid abrasive toothpaste and instead, use mild dish soap or a retainer cleaner.
- Soak in a retainer cleaner: For 15 to 20 minutes soak your retainer in a retainer cleanser or a 1:1 water and white vinegar mixture. This maintains the retainer fresh and helps to clear any accumulation.
- Rinse before use: To eliminate any residue, gently rinse the retainer in lukewarm water following soaking.
How to clean an essix retainer
Though thinner and more delicate, essix retainers seem like translucent plastic ones. Their cleaning calls for a laid-back attitude.
- Rinse immediately after removal: Rinse your Essix retainer with lukewarm water as soon as you remove it.
- Gently brush with water: One can carefully clean a retainer with lukewarm water and a soft toothbrush. Steer clear of all toothpaste and strong cleaners.
- Soak in a mild solution: Soak the retainer in a solution of mild dish soap and water for about 15 minutes. Avoid hot water to prevent warping.
- Rinse thoroughly: Make sure the retainer is completely cleaned with lukewarm water before returning it to your mouth.
Common mistakes to avoid when cleaning retainers
While maintaining your retainer is important, people usually make simple mistakes. Avoid these common mistakes
- Using hot water: Hot water can warp plastic retainers, making them unusable. Use lukewarm or cool water.
- Using harsh chemicals: Strong chemicals like bleach and alcohol-based mouthwash should be avoided since they can irritate your mouth and destroy your retainer.
- Skipping daily cleaning: Failing to clean your retainer daily can lead to bacterial build-up and shorten its lifespan.
- Not rinsing after soaking: Always rinse your retainer thoroughly after soaking it in a cleaning solution to remove any potentially harmful residue.
How often should you clean your retainer?
Your retainer’s hygienic and effectiveness will be preserved by daily washing. Clean and brush your retainer at least once a day every time you remove it. It is also recommended to soak your retainer in a cleaning solution once or twice a week to remove any stubborn build-up.
How to deep clean your retainer
Apart from routine maintenance, a once-a-week deep cleaning of your retainer is a great idea. One can reach this as follows:
- Prepare a soaking solution: Either use a retainer cleanser or equal amounts water and white vinegar. Soak your retainer in this solution for around thirty minutes.
- Brush thoroughly: After soaking, gently brush the retainer with a soft toothbrush, focusing especially on any clearly dirty places.
- Rinse well: Wash the retainer completely with lukewarm water to eliminate any last traces of vinegar or cleaner.
- Let it air dry: Before wear or storage, let your retainer completely air dry. This stops bacterial growth.
Storing your retainer properly
Like cleaning your retainer, proper storage of it is absolutely important. Follow these tips:
- Use a retainer case: Store your retainer safely even if you are not wearing it. This helps to stop harm or loss of this kind.
- Keep it dry: Retainer should be kept dry and far from water since this will encourage bacterial development. Let it dry naturally then pack it into the case.
- Keep it out of reach of pets: Keep drawers out of animal reach since dogs especially like gnawing on them. Always put your retainer somewhere safe
Signs It’s Time for a New Retainer
Retainers are durable but not indestructible. Here are signs you may need to replace yours:
- Visible cracks or warping: You should change your retainer if it has cracks or has gotten misshapen.
- Persistent odour: It might be time to replace your retainer if it smells often and does not go away following cleaning.
- Loosened fit: If your retainer no longer fits tightly, see your orthodontist; it may have lost effectiveness.
FAQs
Can I use toothpaste to clean my retainer?
If your retainer be clear plastic, you should not wash it with regular toothpaste. The surface of the retainer may be damaged and discoloured by abrasive toothpaste.
How can I tell if my retainer is clean enough?
Your retainer should be absolutely clean, free of any obvious grit or plaque. It should smell somewhat neutral as well. Should you find buildup, smells, or cloudiness, a more extensive cleaning could be needed.
What should I do if I forget to clean my retainer?
Remember: if you forget, straight away clean your retainer. If it has been some time, think about soaking it in a cleaning solution to guarantee it is absolutely clean before wearing it once more..
Conclusion
Keeping your retainer clean will help you to maintain both the success of your orthodontic treatment and good dental health. Following the guidelines in this article will help you to keep the lovely form of your retainer while also enabling a daily comfortable fit. Recall that how long your retainer lasts and how well your smile is preserved depend much on frequent cleaning and appropriate storage.
