How to Clean Retainers – A Guide for Keeping Your Orthodontic Appliances in Good Condition

Wearing a retainer after your orthodontic treatment is a must, so it’s essential to know how to clean it properly. A dirty retainer can lead to bacteria buildup and bad breath. In this blog post, we will guide you on how to clean retainers effectively. Keep your dental appliances in good condition by following these simple steps!

1. What are dental retainers, and why do we need them cleaned regularly?

2. How to clean a wire retainer

3. How to clean a clear retainer

4. How to clean a bonded retainer

5. Additional tips for proper dental retainer care

6. What happens if you do not clean your retainers?

What are dental retainers, and why do we need them cleaned regularly?

Dental retainers are orthodontic appliances used to keep teeth in place after braces are removed. Many people also use retainer dentures (also called flipper tooth or removable retainer with dental prosthesis) to hide their missing teeth. They are typically made of plastic or metal, and they fit over the teeth. Dental retainers need to be cleaned regularly to prevent bacteria from building up and causing gum disease or other oral health problems.

To clean your dental retainer, you have to know what type of retainer you have. You may have:

Hawley retainer

Hawley retainers are the most common type of dental retainer. These are removable retainers made of plastic or metal and fit over the teeth. They are held in place with small metal springs. Archwires are attached to the retainer near the back of the mouth, where they retain teeth into their proper positions.

Clear plastic retainer

Clear retainers are a type of removable retainer made of transparent plastic. They fit over your upper or lower teeth and have no wire, so they hold themselves in place. They can be called Essix, Vivera, or simply removable plastic retainer.

Fixed or bonded retainer

These retainers can also be referred to as permanent retainers. These are fastened to your lower front teeth. They’re utilized if you have a high chance of losing your removable dental appliances. As the name implies, a fixed retainer is the type that you can’t remove. It’s generally worn for months or even years at a time.

How to clean a wire retainer

To clean a wire retainer, you will need to:

• Soak the retainer in a cup of warm water mixed with dish soap/denture cleaner (toothpastes can be abrasive)
• Scrub the retainer with a toothbrush
• Rinse the retainer in warm water
• Remove dirt from the deepest grooves and ridges with a cotton swab.
• Air-dry the retainer and store it in a clean container/case.

How to clean a clear retainer

To clean clear plastic retainers, you can also follow the same procedures as you would with a wire retainer. Just an additional reminder: Ask your dentist if you can soak your retainer in a denture or retainer cleaner, like Efferdent or Polident. If they approve of using these cleaning agents, mix a cup of lukewarm water with one tablet of cleaner and follow the package instructions for timing.

How to clean a bonded retainer?

Because they are permanent or fixed retainers, bonded retainers are the most challenging to clean. You should only use dental floss to clean under them. Please do not try to remove your permanent retainer.

Dental floss is used by threading it between your teeth and gums, which will allow you to scrape any food off that may have gotten underneath.

Additional tips for proper retainer care

Here are a few additional tips for retainer care:

• Store your retainer in a case (stainless steel container or case made with medical-grade plastic) when you’re not wearing it. If you go for a swim, either take your retainer out or cover it with a waterproof case.
• Use baking soda as your cleaning solution to whiten and disinfect your retainers. First, make a pasty mixture using half part water and half part baking soda. The consistency of the slurry should be thick enough to adhere to the retainer. Apply this mixture and gently scrape the retainer with the liquid and a soft toothbrush, much like toothpaste.
• You can also use white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide in cleaning your retainers. You should put together a little cup of vinegar and warm water in a small dish. The retainer should then be immersed in the solution for 20 minutes. If your retainers have mineral deposits, you can scrub them lightly with a soft-bristled toothbrush before rinsing them with cold water.
• Plaque removal: Residue should be removed by properly washing the retainer.
• Don’t wrap your retainer in a napkin or tissue and put it in your pocket, as this can cause the appliance to break.
• Don’t chew on hard objects like pens or pencils, which can damage your retainer.
• Avoid heat so your retainers wouldn’t lose their shape and fit. Extreme heat can warp and ruin your dental appliance. Do not put your retainers on dishwashers, microwave ovens, boiling water, or your car dashboard.
• Do not use cleaning materials that have harsh chemicals.
• Use the cleaning tablets correctly. Most manufacturers offer retainer cleaners with clear directions of use. Soaking them for far too long can corrode the metal parts of your retainer (retainer wire) or harm the plastic surface.

What happens if you do not clean your retainers?

If you do not clean your retainers regularly, bacteria will build up and cause gum disease or other oral health problems. The retainer collects germs, plaque buildup, and tartar from your mouth when you eat or drink anything. If you don’t clean it frequently enough, it may start to smell or taste unpleasant over time.

Retainers can store harmful bacteria such as Streptococcus and Staphylococcus, including S. aureus., S. sanguinis, S.mitis, and S. salivarius. You can also harbor Lactobacillus and Veillonella. While many of these bacteria are naturally present in the mouth, their overabundance can cause sickness.

Moreover, dirty retainers may lead Candida albicans to potentially be present in your system. This kind of yeast is generally found in the mouth, but it can build up on your retainer and create an infection.

Conclusion

It is just as vital to clean your retainer to brush your teeth. To maintain your retainer’s integrity, clean it with warm water and dish soap once a day. It’s also a good idea to brush it after each meal. Because the advice on this page is generic, it is always advisable to see your dentist or orthodontist for particular retainer maintenance recommendations.

References:

How to Clean Each Type of Retainer.

https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/how-to-clean-retainers#retainer-types

8 tips for cleaning a retainer.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317894#Eight-tips-for-cleaning-a-retainer

How To Clean Retainers.

https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/adult-orthodontics/how-to-clean-retainers