How to Clean Retainers With Baking Soda? (Other Ways?)
Last Updated on July 4, 2023 by Gio Greenard
How to clean retainers with baking soda? Or are there better solutions? Firstly, having clean retainers is extremely important no matter how often you need to wear them. Thus, after hours of wearing your retainer, it really won’t take long for bacteria and plaque to start to build up on the appliance. This is also true for Invisalign aligners and most position retaining orthodontic devices.
The Best Way to Clean Retainers
Because we spend so much time cleaning our teeth and mouth to reduce the buildup of plaque and bacteria it doesn’t make sense for us to use a device that is covered with these materials which can compromise our oral health. This bacteria can also make the retainer look very dirty and sometimes amid a bit of an odor which can give us bad breath and also make us really apprehensive about using the appliance regularly. Lastly, there are a number of great ways that you can clean your retainer and we will discuss them in this article.
1. Baking Soda Solution
Toothpaste has baking soda right in them because it can work well as a cleaning solution. By mixing baking soda with water you can create a paste that is very much the same consistency as toothpaste. With this baking soda solution, you can brush over your entire retainer with your toothbrush. After brushing your entire orthodontic appliance make sure to give it a good rinse. Baking soda solutions work great for keeping your retainer fresh and free of bacteria.
2. Retainer Cleaning Solution
From your orthodontist, you can receive a special solution which is designed to clean retainers. It works similar to mouthwash and all you need to do is soak your retainer in this antibacterial mixture when you aren’t using it. This mixture has been created so that it won’t damage any of the components of the retainer and will also work to clean and sanitize all of the bacteria and plaque that might be on the device. It’s usually best to give your retainer a quick brush over with your toothbrush as well to remove any caked on the plaque that you might find on the device before submerging it in the retainer cleaning solution.
3. Denture Cleaner
In conclusion, denture cleaner actually works fairly well at cleaning retainers as well. You can purchase denture cleaner from a pharmacy or many grocery stores as well. Accordingly, your retainer will need to soak in the cleaner for around 15 to 20 min. to eliminate all of the bacteria. After your retainer has soaked rants your retainer and brush it thoroughly with your toothbrush. This will remove any excess plaque or caked on debris. If you can soak your retainer in mouthwash for around 20 min. this will also eliminate extra bacteria and give it a clean and fresh scent. Lastly, be sure to avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes as these can degrade some plastics in the orthodontic appliance.
Here’s the Kicker…
Accordingly, feel free to visit or call Dr. Panucci and her team if you require more tips on cleaning your retainer. If you would like to purchase some special cleaner for properly sterilizing orthodontic appliances you can do so, and as always if you ever had any issues with your retainer or require adjustments Beach Braces is available for appointments and replacement appliance visits.
Contact us today – because everyone should love to smile!
Beach Braces
1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Suite B, Manhattan Beach,
CA 90266
TEL: 310-379-0006
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.
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