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How to Clean Retainers – Tips from Orthodontist in Lawrenceville

A Smile Can Change Everything

Clean Retainers
  • Koch Orthodontics
  • | May 13, 2020
You are probably celebrating your new smile after completing your initial orthodontic treatment. Now that your braces are off, your orthodontist will get customized retainers designed for you, which you will have to wear for a year or so to ensure that your teeth do not shift back to their previous positions. Although you are allowed to remove your retainer when drinking, eating, or attending a social event, it needs to be cleaned regularly to maintain good oral hygiene.

How to Clean Your Retainers

There are various types of cleaning products available for cleaning retainers. Let’s discuss some of the best options here:

Using water to clean your retainers is one of the best cleaning solutions. Baking soda is a natural disinfectant, and it is an effective substance for cleaning retainers. Soaking your trays in a baking soda and water solution whitens the retainers that may have turned yellowish, gets rid of bacteria, and maintains the pH balance in your mouth.

White vinegar is also a natural disinfectant. Soaking your retainers in vinegar and water solution removes calcium and mineral deposits on the retainers and also eliminates odors and bacteria.

Castile soap is a safe and effective way to clean retainers. It is easy to make your own castile soap solution. You just have to mix coconut oil with olive oil. You can also buy castile soap from the store near you.

Water

  • Washing your retainers while brushing your teeth discourages the growth of bacteria. You can also swish some water in your mouth a few times if your retainer feels dirty.
  • Do not allow retainers to dry out as they become more prone to damage. Soak them in distilled water every time you take them out. If you do not have a container to soak them in, or if the retainer is dirty and you cannot clean it right away, you can soak it in a damp paper towel.
  • Your retainer case needs to be cleaned regularly too. Clean it once a day before you put the retainer away. Use warm soapy water to gently scrub the surfaces, rinse it off and pat to dry.

Baking Soda

  • Make a paste by mixing equal amounts of baking soda and water. The paste should be thick enough to stick to your retainer.
  • Apply the paste onto the retainer with the help of a soft toothbrush. Brush gently and rinse it thoroughly with water to remove any residue.

Vinegar

  • Combine equal parts of water and vinegar in a bowl or dish.
  • Soak your retainer for at least 20 minutes in the solution.

Castile Soap

  • Mix a small amount of castile soap with warm water.
  • Soak the retainer into the mixture.
  • Use a soft toothbrush to scrub it.
  • Ensure that you rinse your retainer with water before putting it back in your mouth.
  • Repeat the process as often as necessary.

Retainer Cleaner

If you do not have the time or desire to make your own retainer cleaning solution, you can buy retainer cleaners from the store. Follow the instructions given on the packaging. Your orthodontist will be able to recommend a retainer cleaner that is best for you.

How NOT to Clean Your Retainer

Many people do not practice the correct methods for cleaning their retainers. This can be a costly mistake because it can cause damage to your retainers. Do not make the following cleaning mistakes:

Can you clean a retainer with mouthwash?

One common myth is that you can clean your retainer with mouthwash. Anything that contains alcohol is not good for your retainers. And mouthwash has alcohol. It is less effective in cleaning the retainers, and it also dries out your retainers, making them more prone to damage.

Can you clean a retainer with toothpaste?

Do not attempt to clean your retainer with toothpaste. It’s great for cleaning your teeth, but not your retainers. Toothpaste contains abrasive compounds that are good for scrubbing your enamel clean. Your enamel is tough and can handle it. But if you use toothpaste to clean your retainers, it will damage the delicate materials of your retainer.

Household cleaning agents, such as bleach, are too harsh on something that would go back into your mouth. The harsh chemicals in cleaning agents get absorbed by the retainer and dry it out.

Denture cleaners are sometimes used as retainer cleaners, but they are not the same. Many of dental cleaners contain persulfate, a chemical labeled as an allergen by the FDA. Dental cleaners can remove the buildup, but they can also cause damage to your retainer. If you continue using denture cleaners as retainer cleaners, they can change the color of your retainer. Use only as an emergency solution.

Carbonated drinks like cola are effective cleaners on different materials but definitely not on retainers. Using these drinks to clean retainers is a great way to create a breeding ground for bacteria in your mouth.

Boiling the retainer in water will distort the shape of your retainer. In fact, the water doesn’t even need to be boiling to change the shape of the soft materials used in your retainer. The distorted shape of the retainer affects the way it interacts and guides your teeth.

Final Thoughts

Your retainer goes into your mouth and is in direct contact with your teeth. If it is not cleaned, it can cause bacterial growth, plaque, and tartar buildup in your teeth. Therefore, it is important to keep your retainer clean and odor-free, and it is equally important to know how to properly clean your retainer.

If you need more information on how to clean your retainers or if you are thinking about orthodontic treatment, contact Koch Orthodontics, your orthodontist in Lawrenceville.

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Jazzy L.
Everything & Everyone is amazing! Definitely recommend 💕
Response from the owner:Hi Jazzy! We really appreciate that! Our team works hard to make every visit a great one. Thanks for recommending us!
Ashley H.
I had a great experience at Koch Orthodontics! I had the spark clear aligners to recorrect my teeth after losing my previous retainers. It was a quick and virtually painless process. I’m glad I chose Koch Orthodontics to correct my teeth!
Response from the owner:Hi Ashley! We’re so glad you had such a smooth experience with Spark clear aligners! Thank you for trusting us again with your smile!
Makayla G.
This is the best orthodontist I’ve ever been too. They treated my son amazing. Wendy assisted us and she was absolutely amazing!
Response from the owner:Hi Makayla! We love hearing this! Thank you for sharing your kind words. We’ll be sure to pass along the shout-out to Wendy—she’ll be so happy to know she made your visit special!
Tanisha J.
Becky was amazing he was very professional and gentle!
The entire staff is great!
Response from the owner:We appreciate the kind words, thank you!
Natalie K.
Excellent personal care! My daughter was nervous but we felt so loved. Dr. Gass answered all questions and made us feel comfortable with treatment options.
Response from the owner:Hi Natalie! We are so glad Dr. Gass and our team helped your daughter feel at ease and cared for. We look forward to continuing her smile journey with you!
envymimi 2.
they are so nice it’s scary 😭🦦 I’ve been here for a year it’s a pleasure everytime
Response from the owner:Thank you for the review!
Deanna P.
I decided to get braces on again for cosmetic reasons after about 20 years. I went to a few places for consultations, and ultimately chose Koch Orthodontics based on the clean office, welcoming staff, and great online reviews. I’m about a year through my treatment and I was getting a discouraged I was not going to get my “dream smile” I had envisioned in my head. I asked to make an appointment with my doctor and Dr Koch to talk me through my concerns and go over the rest of my treatment. Initially, everyone’s schedule wasn’t lining up until after my braces were supposed to come off (in 3 wks) which left me kind of bummed. However, the next day, I received a phone call from a lady named Ashley saying Dr Koch wanted to review my plan with my Dr (Gass) and can get me in for an appointment the next day. It was then I knew I picked the right orthodontist. Not only were my concerns listened to, openly discussed with me, and thoroughly reviewed with my current treatment plan by both Dr. Gass and Dr Koch, they really made me feel like they wanted the best for my smile. I truly appreciated the effort of everyone involved making sure I’m happy with my outcome. I can honestly recommend this orthodontist now.

And continuously, the two best techs I’ve had are Johnny and Devonte. Shoutout to them!
Response from the owner:Hi Deanna! Thank you so much for sharing this! We’re so glad Dr. Koch, Dr. Gass, and Ashley could put your mind at ease and make sure you feel confident in your smile journey. And Johnny and Devonte will love the shoutout, they really are the best!
Marcus G.
The best ever, great service. Nice people and staff. I love the vibe….and the coffee 😏
Response from the owner:Hi Marcus! Yay! We’re so happy you love the vibe (and the coffee 😉). It always makes our day having you here with us!
Imaksumic
10/10 Its so clean and everbody is so kind to you Love this place !! ❤️❤️✌️
Response from the owner:Hi Imakusmic! Reviews like this make our day! Thank you for noticing our clean space and kind team, we love having you as part of the KO family!
Nicole M.
They are always so welcoming and polite. They are knowledgeable about teeth and make my kids feel comfortable every time. The coffee and water is an added bonus.
Response from the owner:Hi Nicole! Thank you so much for sharing this! We love hearing that your kids feel comfortable at every visit. And we’re glad you enjoy the coffee and water too! We’re so happy to have your family as part of the KO family!
Latea G.
Staff very friendly, smells good and is always clean
Response from the owner:Hi Latea! Thank you so much! We love hearing that. Our team works hard to keep everything fresh, clean, and welcoming!
Flash S.
The staff is always very kind and cheerful, always excited to see you.
Response from the owner:Hi Flash Set! We truly love what we do, and it makes us so happy to know that kindness and cheerfulness shine through when you visit.
Brittany G.
Such awesome place to do business!!! Glad to have my son’s braces done here!! Def recommend to anyone!!
Response from the owner:Hi Brittany! We are so happy your son is a part of our KO family! Thanks for letting us be a part of his smiles journey and for spreading the word!
Amina B.
I’ve had such a great experience with my orthotist and aligner journey! From the very beginning, everything was explained clearly and I always felt comfortable and informed. The aligners have been easy to use, and I’ve already noticed such a positive difference. My orthotist has been supportive, attentive, and genuinely cares about my progress. Appointments are always smooth, and I never feel rushed.

Overall, I’m really happy with the results so far and would definitely recommend both the aligners and my orthotist to anyone considering treatment.
Response from the owner:Hi Amina! Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that your aligner journey has been smooth and that you’ve already noticed such a positive difference. Our team loves making sure everything is clear and comfortable for you, so it means a lot to know you’ve felt supported every step of the way. We can’t wait to see your continued progress and final results!
Tiffany T.
They are nice and very sweet… Brantley was scared when he came to get work done but the team made him feel very welcome and comfortable too
Response from the owner:Hi Tiffany! Thank you so much for sharing this! We’re so glad Brantley felt comfortable with us! It means a lot that he left his visit feeling welcomed and at ease. Our team always wants every patient to feel safe and cared for, especially when they’re nervous. We truly appreciate your kind words! 💙
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