How To Clean Plastic Retainers - Remove All Stains & Prevent Smells

Last Updated on August 17, 2024 by Gio Greenard

Maintaining your plastic retainers is crucial for ensuring they remain effective and hygienic throughout your orthodontic treatment. Over time, retainers can accumulate plaque, bacteria, and unpleasant odors if not cleaned properly. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the best practices for keeping your plastic retainers clean and fresh, helping you protect your oral health and extend the life of your retainer.

Contents

1: Use a Soft Toothbrush To Clean

Your retainers can develop a growth of bacteria, so make sure to have a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean the aligners at least once a day. Use gentle motions to remove debris from the inside or outside of your retainers to avoid damaging the items.

2: Use Antibacterial Soap To Wash

Find a clear soft antibacterial soap at your local drugstore to wash your retainers occasionally. To eliminate bacteria from the plastic, use only a tiny drop of soap combined with cool water to wash the aligners gently.

3: Floss and Brush Your Teeth

It is imperative to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day to remove food particles that can stain your retainers. If you can also perform oral hygiene at lunchtime, then it is recommended so that you can keep your retainers cleaner.

4: Soaking Your Clear Retainers

You are required to wear your retainers for the majority of the day or night. However, if your retainers are discolored, then you can soak the items to remove debris. Place the retainers in the tray that is filled with cool water to soak the devices overnight.

5: Keep Your Retainers Sanitized

Make sure to keep your orthodontic aligner trays sanitized to prevent any transference of debris such as food particles or bacteria. You can rinse your aligner trays with cool water, or you can brush the items with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

6: Clean Frequently

Keep your orthodontic aligners as clean as your teeth by rinsing the items as often as possible. For optimal treatment with aligners, make sure to wear the devices as many hours as possible, including while you are sleeping.

7: Use Cleansing Crystals

The companies that provide the computer software to create your customized aligners also make specialized crystals. These crystals will keep the devices and trays sanitized. Keep a supply of these crystals nearby. And make sure to use the cleanser according to the direction on the package. Soaking your orthodontic aligners for 15 minutes once a week in the crystal solution will keep the devices cleaner.

How Not to Clean Your Devices

Toothpaste

Great for cleaning teeth. Not so great for retainers as they stain and corrode the plastic. Your teeth can handle the elements but your trays cannot.

Mouthwash

This will dry out your trays leaving them likely to need replacing. It is also less effective in cleaning.

Boiling water

This will destroy the shape in an instant. even just hot water will warp the plastic. We advise steering well clear of this.

Cleaning agents

People have known to use agents like bleach to clean their trays. This apart from being detrimental to your body is another sure-fire way to destroy your trays. Avoid at all costs.

Denture cleaners

This may seem suitable but over time will discolor the trays. Many of them also contain persulfate, a chemical that the FDA labels a known allergen.

What Happens if I Fail to Clean Them?

Unclean aligners and retainers are a minefield of nasties. Bacteria like Streptococcus, including S. sanguinis, S. mitis, and S. salivarius, in addition to Lactobacillus and Veillonella all dwell in the plastic molds. You may also become exposed to Candida albicans, a yeast that can infect your mouth.

It Is Possible To Stain the Plastic of Your Clear Retainers

Remove while chewing food
Brush and floss your teeth before reinserting
Avoid drinking beverages that have artificial dyes
Use the correct types of toothpaste and mouth rinses
Don’t put foreign objects such as ink pens inside your mouth
Don’t use denture tablets to clean your teeth or retainers
Avoid placing on colorful surfaces that can stain the devices
Keep in protective trays to prevent damage
Drink water frequently to rinse your mouth

By following these guidelines, you probably won’t have stained devices, but you must still clean the devices to prevent having a buildup of debris that can lead to a bad taste or foul odor. Use these methods to keep your devices looking spotless and smelling fresh. People often ask ‘How do you get plaque off clear retainers?’ & ‘How do I get the white stuff off my retainer?’ Just by cleaning with a toothbrush in a basic form. But we recommend preventative measures thus avoiding the need to remove stains and plaque in the first place.

Conclusion

Regularly cleaning your plastic retainers is an essential step in your oral care routine. By following the tips and methods outlined in this post, you can keep your retainers free from harmful bacteria, stains, and odors, ensuring they continue to function as intended. Remember, a clean retainer not only contributes to your overall oral health but also helps you maintain the results of your orthodontic treatment for years to come.

How To Find a Great Orthodontic Facility In California

At Beach Braces in Manhattan Beach, Calif., you can have an examination from Dr. Panucci. Our orthodontic specialist offers these treatments to straighten teeth:

Lingual braces that are placed on the backs of your teeth
Braces with colorful brackets and wires
Ceramic braces that have color-matching brackets
Self-ligating braces that don’t require metal ties or elastic bands
Invisalign aligners that are made of clear plastic

We have a friendly orthodontist who cares for children, teenagers, and adults by performing a top-of-the-line examination with medical images. Orthodontic Aligners are comfortable and easy to take care of by following the suggested guidelines.

With the proper care, your aligners will not become stained, ensuring that you have an aesthetically pleasing smile during your treatment. To schedule your first appointment at our orthodontic facility, contact Beach Braces today at 310-379-0006.

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Dr Patricia Panucci

Dr Patti Panucci attended the University of Louisville School of Dentistry for four years, where she graduated with a DMD degree (May 2000) among the Top 10 in her class. Following that, she headed west to Los Angeles to complete her three-year residency at one of the top-ranked orthodontic programs in the country – the University of Southern California.

Along with her certificate in orthodontics, Dr. Panucci earned a master’s degree in craniofacial biology. During those three years, she fell in love with Southern California beach life and decided that this was where her future lay.