We wear retainers against our teeth, making it very easy for bacteria and plaque to accumulate. Therefore, it is just as important to clean your retainers just as it is to brush your teeth. Failure to clean the retainers will cause the buildup of plaque and bacteria, which will cause a bad smell, gum diseases and cavities, and other dental problems. If you wear retainers and you are trying to figure out the best way to clean them, here are a few tips;
Clean When Wet
The first thing you want to do is clean them immediately after taking them out of the mouth. Cleaning them when wet will allow you to clean off any food particles easily before they harden.
Avoid Hot Water
It is vital that you do not use hot water when cleaning your retainers. This is because hot water will damage the shape of the retainers. Therefore, opt for lukewarm water.
Clean Retainers After Every Meal
After every meal, make sure that you rinse your retainers with lukewarm water. Using a toothbrush, brush out any food particles that may be stuck on the retainer. It is also a good idea to brush your teeth before putting the retainers back on.
Avoid Using Tooth Paste
You should never use toothpaste to clean retainers. This is because toothpaste contains harsh abrasives that will damage the retainers by scratching their surface. Opt for mild liquid dish soap to help you clean the retainers.
Soak The Retainers
When you want to clean your retainers deeply, you can soak them in a retainer cleaner. You will mix one tablet of the cleaner with lukewarm water and then soak the retainer. The duration of soaking will depend on the instructions given. Thereafter, you will rinse the retainers in lukewarm water.
Avoid Mouthwash
It is important to point out that you should never soak your retainers in mouthwash at any given point. Retainers are made using plastic materials. Thus, this means that if you soak the retainers in mouthwash, it could easily stain them. Therefore, it is best to avoid soaking your retainers in mouthwash.
It is of great importance to maintain good oral hygiene, especially when you have retainers on. Make sure that you brush your teeth regularly and clean your retainers. This will help to ensure that they last longer and that they do not smell.
Dentist Eagle Mountain UT | Contact Ranches Family Dental The dental office of Dr. Richard Baldwin in Eagle Mountain consists of a team of professionals dedicated to providing you with the dentistry care you deserve. Ranches Family Dental, 3435 E. Pony Express Parkway Suite 110 Eagle Mountain, UT 84005 ^ (385) 374-0500 ^ ranchesfamilydental.com ^ 12/7/2024 ^ Related Terms: dentist Eagle Mountain UT ^
We wear retainers against our teeth, making it very easy for bacteria and plaque to accumulate. Therefore, it is just as important to clean your retainers just as it is to brush your teeth. Failure to clean the retainers will cause the buildup of plaque and bacteria, which will cause a bad smell, gum diseases and cavities, and other dental problems. If you wear retainers and you are trying to figure out the best way to clean them, here are a few tips;