How do you Clean Plaque off of Retainers?
If you have already worn braces or Invaslign, you have probably been given a retainer to wear. The perfectly straight teeth and excellent bite you now enjoy will take time and some effort to set more permanently and a retainer is the perfect device for this.
Just like your teeth, the retainer will require cleaning and care to make sure it continues to do its job. These are expensive and fragile devices, so you will want to ensure you handle it carefully and are diligent about maintenance. You want to ensure that you keep your retainer clean and free from plaque build-up, as you do not want this sitting against your teeth and gums as you wear your device.
Removing the Plaque Through Brushing
Just like how plaque can build up on your teeth, so can it build up on your retainer. One of the best preventative measure for this is to brush you retainer each time you brush your teeth. Be careful not to apply to much pressure when brushing, as you don’t want to crack it. After you have given it a thorough brush, a quick rinse in warm water will help it adjust back into your mouth and be nice and clean.
Deeper Cleaning
Every once in a while, your retainer may need to be cleaned a bit deeper. A sign of this is often white film or coating that develops when the retainer is dry. To give the retainer a deeper cleaning, try soaking it in vinegar for about 5 minutes. After, give the retainer a thorough brush, rinsing under warm water as you go. The vinegar works to loosen up the plaque buildups, which the brush can then easily remove.
An alternative to using vinegar is to find a denture cleaning solution. These also work efficiently to clean and break up any plaque build ups that maybe be present.
If you are unsure of how best to clean your retainer, talk to your dentist. You may also want to double check that your cleaning regime is safe for your retainer and will not damage it. Whatever works best for you is fine, as long as you keep your retainer clean, and your teeth smiling.
