5 Easy Ways to Clean Your Retainer

Retainers should be worn for 8-10 hours or longer (depending on your orthodontist's instructions). With this amount of time spent in your mouth's dark, moist environment, debris, bacteria, plaque, and other microorganisms often build up on the appliance and then move to your teeth. 

Cleaning your retainer regularly is crucial to keeping it in shape for as long as possible. At the same time, you’re actively preventing tooth decay and other dental health issues.

Retainer cleaning doesn’t have to be a hassle, though. Here are 5 easy ways to keep your retainer germ-free.

1. Baking Soda

Baking soda is an ingredient in many oral health products, including toothpaste. This natural compound safely and effectively removes odors and eliminates bacteria and plaque. It’s also an easy, helpful retainer cleaner when you want to eliminate germs or whiten a yellowed oral appliance.

Solutions and pastes are two common ways to create an at-home baking soda retainer cleanser. Both methods prevent the harmful pH imbalances that lead to bacteria and plaque buildup. Since baking soda is a mild abrasive, pastes and solutions also remove caked-on food.

Baking Soda Solution 

Looking for a simple way to get a germ-free retainer within 60 seconds?

Mix one teaspoon of baking soda into a distilled water bowl (about half a cup). Soak your retainer for one minute, then rinse the extra solution and powder off in warm water.

Baking Soda Paste

For a deeper clean, try a baking soda paste. In this method, mix equal parts water and baking soda until you have a thick paste that sticks to your retainer. 

Use a soft brush or washcloth to adhere the paste to the retainer’s surfaces. Scrub everywhere, then let the paste sit on the retainer for 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water. The mild abrasiveness of baking soda removes debris, while the alkaline pH neutralizes acids.

Note: Baking soda cleanses are suitable for weekly or monthly use. Always use a fresh batch of solution or paste every time you clean your retainer. 

2. Soaks

Soaking your retainer in certain liquids can give it a much-needed cleanse without much effort. However, retainers should never be cleaned with most household chemicals, including mouthwash. Instead, try one of these three liquid soaks once a week.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Mix equal parts 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and water in a bowl. Soaking your retainer in peroxide for 30 minutes kills bacteria and removes stains to whiten the material.

However, check with the manufacturer first, as hydrogen peroxide can damage certain materials with long-term use. 

White Vinegar

White vinegar is a non-abrasive liquid that contains bacteria-killing properties like acetic acid. This acid also gets rid of odors and breaks down plaque. Vinegar is helpful if your Invisalign aligners are stained, as it can remove the discoloration.

Soak your retainer for 5 minutes in a 50/50 white vinegar and water solution. Use a soft toothbrush to clean the retainer’s surfaces, then rinse with cold water. 

Denture Cleaner

Denture cleaner tablets can do the trick if you don’t have baking soda or white vinegar on hand. Although this option isn’t recommended for long-term use as it can discolor the material, denture cleaners will remove bacteria, and the effervescence gives your retainer a deep clean.

To use this method, rinse the retainer in a cup of water, then drop a denture tablet into the liquid. Let your oral appliance soak for 5-10 minutes, then remove and scrub it with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Rinse with lukewarm water until the denture cleaner residue is gone.

3. Ultrasonic Machines

If you want a deep clean without chemicals, an ultrasonic machine is the ideal choice. Manufacturers offer ultrasonic machines like the one you’ll find at our JS Dental Lab website, complete with LED lights and easy-to-operate features.

Ultrasonic cleaning uses high-frequency sound waves to eliminate particles and debris from surfaces. When an object is placed into a liquid and the machine is turned on, the ultrasonic function creates sound waves with cavitation bubbles.

When these bubbles implode, the impact removes the excess contaminants from the surfaces of every nook and cranny, whether glass, ceramic, metal, or hard plastic (like your retainer).

This cleaning technique works so well that it’s used in industries such as food, medicine, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. With the right ultrasonic machine, you can even clean some computer parts and microchips!

Our ultrasonic cleansers eliminate 99% of oral bacteria within five minutes. Dual-mold ultrasonic functions, mercury-free UVC LED lights, and eco-friendly options ensure that your night guards, mouth guards, retainers, aligners, and other sensitive materials are thoroughly cleaned using room-temperature water.

Learn more: Ultrasonic + UVC LED Light Cleaner For Dental Appliances

4. Castile Soap

Although castile soap has existed for thousands of years, it has only recently gained popularity, thanks to today’s eco-friendly and wellness focus. This soap’s origins extend to the Holy Lands and became a favorite in Europe during the 11th-century Crusades.

Because castile soap is made from organic, non-toxic ingredients like coconut, hemp, and olive oil, it’s a gentle way to clean your body — and your retainer. 

Since the advent of essential oils, many types of this soap have added ingredients, so it’s crucial to avoid castile soaps with extras other than vegetable oils. Essential oils may have antibacterial effects that can harm the delicate natural biome in your mouth.

To use castile soap as part of your retainer-cleaning regimen, add a small sliver of the bar or a slight pump of liquid to warm water. Place the retainer in the mixture and scrub the surfaces with a toothbrush. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes, then rinse with clean, cool water. Castile soap is gentle enough to use as a daily cleanser.

5. Retainer Cleansers

Is your retainer in need of more cleaning and care than the previous DIY methods can fix?

Don’t worry! There are products at your local drugstore and online designed to clean retainers.

While the vast array of retainer-cleaning products can initially seem confusing, the key to finding the right one is to check the ingredients. Here are some of the most common active ingredients you’ll run into as you search for the perfect retainer cleanser, and their purpose:

• Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda): Baking soda has various benefits for oral health and retainer cleaning, including stain removal, plaque and tartar control, and bacteria reduction. As a bonus, this ingredient is also known to freshen your breath!
• Citric Acid: Although acids are generally harmful to teeth enamel and gums, small doses of citric acid are included in some retainer cleansers. This ingredient can remove food residue, tartar, and plaque, and its vitamin C and antimicrobial properties prevent plaque from building up again. 
• Sodium Percarbonate: This chemical compound is known for its teeth-whitening properties, but it’s also included in some retainer cleaning products. 
• Triclosan: This antibacterial agent is occasionally added to cleaning products and toothpaste to defend against plaque and gum disease. However, as of 2019, oral products containing triclosan are no longer available commercially in the US due to potentially harmful side effects.
• Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is a natural ingredient derived from the swampy Australian tea tree Melaleuca alternifolia. It reduces harmful bacteria, preventing tooth decay, gum disease, and plaque buildup.
• Xanthan Gum: Used as a binding agent, xanthan gum reduces demineralization and strengthens enamel. It also helps the toothpaste or cleanser stay more stable and defined when released.
• Flavoring Agents: You’ve likely seen toothpaste and cleaning products flavored with spearmint, peppermint, and cinnamon. These flavoring agents serve various purposes. They’re added to the product to mask otherwise bitter- or bland-tasting ingredients. However, they also have the added effect of freshening your breath and inhibiting acid production.

Considering the benefits of the various ingredients in your retainer cleaner can help you decide which products are relevant to your oral health goals. While the ultimate target is having a germ-free orthodontic appliance, the advantages of certain ingredients, such as teeth whitening and fresher breath, may help you find the best way to manage your retainer.

What Not To Clean Your Retainer With

You’ve gone through months or years of orthodontic treatment and want to keep your newly straightened teeth in place as long as possible. Part of that goal means wearing your retainer as instructed by your orthodontist — so you need to keep it in good shape.

Just as vital to your oral appliance’s health as what to use is what not to use. Keep these “don’ts” in mind while you’re taking care of your retainer:

• Don’t use hot or boiling water; it can warp plastics like acrylic.
• Only use soft, non-abrasive materials to clean the surfaces. Don’t use scouring pads, hard-bristled toothbrushes, or metal brushes, as they can scratch the material.
• Never put your retainer in the washing machine or dishwasher. Not only can it discolor the device, but it can melt it.
• Skip the harsh chemicals, like bleach or alcohol-based mouthwash. These liquids can damage the plastic. Disinfectant wipes also have ingredients that harm your health and your retainer itself.
• Keep your retainer away from direct sunlight and humidity to prevent discoloration and warping.

These simple “don’t” rules can help you keep your orthodontic device in its original form and shape throughout your retainer-wearing period. This is a crucial goal because most insurances don’t pay for a second retainer.

But if you lose yours or it becomes damaged, JS Dental Lab has you covered with our high-quality, affordable retainers.

But What About Permanent Retainers?

The previous suggestions focused on removable retainers, but many people opt for permanent solutions after their braces come off.

This type of retainer has many advantages, but the downside is that bonded or fixed retainers require special care to keep clean.

Permanent retainers use a thin wire to connect the appliance to the back of your teeth. Like how brackets are attached with metal braces, this technique keeps the retainer in place so your teeth can’t shift back into their old positions.

Keeping your fixed retainer clean starts with brushing your teeth before inserting the appliance to prevent debris or food from getting trapped. Floss threaders make flossing around the appliance easier, and a water flosser eliminates any particularly sticky or hidden particles.

Conclusion

Whether you have a clear plastic retainer or a colored appliance, these cleaning solutions can help you keep it in optimal shape.

Choose the method that matches your style — from denture cleaning tablets to an ultrasonic machine — and add “Clean retainer” to your daily, weekly, and monthly oral hygiene routine.

Is your retainer beyond what these cleaning methods can help? Visit our professionals at JS Dental Lab to have a new appliance made so you can keep your orthodontic care on point today!

Check out our Custom Clear Retainer!