How to Clean Retainers for Optimal Oral Health

You don't want to skimp on the details when it comes to your oral health. Kadir bolukcu / Getty Images

Maintaining clean retainers is an essential part of oral hygiene, ensuring dental health and a beautiful smile. Whether you have permanent or removable retainers, it's important to understand how to clean retainers properly to avoid plaque buildup and harmful bacteria.

Popular retainer cleaning methods can help you remove plaque and keep your mouth healthy, whereas improper cleaning can damage your retainers, causing them to harbor harmful bacteria. This can lead to bad breath or even affect your cosmetic dentistry results.

Remember to always consult with your orthodontist or dentist for specific cleaning instructions and recommendations for your oral care.

9 Tips for Cleaning Removable Retainers

Proper cleaning of removable retainers is essential to ensure they remain free of bacteria and maintain both their functionality. Using the right cleaning methods prevents damage and keeps your retainers fresh and odor-free. Here are some effective options and tips for cleaning your removable retainers:

Avoid hot water. Never use hot or boiling water to clean your retainer, as it can warp or damage the material. Instead, use lukewarm or cool water.
Don't scrub, even with a soft toothbrush. Even if you gently scrub your retainer with a soft bristled toothbrush to remove food particles, the toothbrush can scratch the surface and damage the retainer.
Use mild dish soap and lukewarm water. Clean your retainer with mild dish soap and lukewarm water. This combination is effective without being harsh on the material.
Disinfect with a hydrogen peroxide soak. To disinfect and kill bacteria, soak your retainer in a mixture of half hydrogen peroxide and half lukewarm water for a few minutes.
De-stink with white vinegar and water. To disinfect and remove odors, use a mixture of half white vinegar and half cool water. Afterward, rinse thoroughly.
Try Castile soap. Castile soap is a gentle, natural option for cleaning your retainer. For best results, use it with lukewarm water.
Kill bacteria with UV light sanitizers. Some retainers can be disinfected using a UV light sanitizing device, which can help kill bacteria and germs without using chemicals.
Condition with coconut oil or olive oil. Use a small amount of coconut oil or olive oil to gently clean and condition the surface of your retainer, keeping it free of buildup and preventing dryness. These may seem like odd substances to use on your retainer, but they're actually common ingredients in the aforementioned Castile soap.
Coat with a baking soda paste. Use baking soda and water to create a paste to coat your retainer. This helps remove odors, but do not scrub. While baking soda can be useful in paste form, using it as a scrub can scratch the surface of your retainer, leading to damage over time.

7 Tips for Cleaning Permanent Retainers

Cleaning permanent retainers requires a bit more attention, as they are fixed to your teeth and cannot be removed for regular cleaning. However, maintaining good oral hygiene is still essential to ensure your retainer stays free from bacteria, especially along the gums where it can be harder to clean.

Gently brush around the retainer wire. Use a soft toothbrush to gently brush around the retainer wire on your teeth. Be careful not to damage the wire or the adhesive that holds it in place.
Use a cotton swab. A cotton swab can help clean areas around the retainer wire, especially along the gum line where a toothbrush may not reach effectively.
Try a floss threader. A floss threader is a helpful tool for putting dental floss under your fixed retainer. Flossing your teeth daily reduces plaque buildup, which is crucial for preventing cavities and gum issues.
Use a denture brush. A denture brush, which has softer bristles and a larger head, can be useful for cleaning around the wire on the lower teeth. It helps to clean more effectively without damaging the retainer.
Avoid dangerous cleaning tablets. Tablets designed for removable retainers can be too harsh and may damage the material of your permanent retainer over time.
Clean regularly. Be diligent about cleaning your permanent retainer to reduce plaque buildup, which can lead to gum disease or staining. Regular brushing and flossing are key to keeping the area around your retainer clean.
Be careful around the gum line. Clean thoroughly along the gum line, as plaque and bacteria are most likely to accumulate there. A soft brush can help you reach these tricky areas.

Storing Your Retainer

Storing your retainer properly is crucial to maintaining its shape and function. Always store your retainer in its protective retainer case when it's not in use to prevent damage or contamination. Avoid exposing your retainer to heat or direct sunlight, as this can warp or alter its fit.

Additionally, make it a habit to regularly inspect your retainer for signs of wear and tear, ensuring it remains in good condition for long-term use.

3 Types of Retainers

When it comes to retainers, there are several types to choose from, each designed to help maintain the alignment of your teeth following orthodontic treatment. Here are the most common types.

Hawley retainers: Hawley retainers are molded to fit the roof of the mouth and stabilize teeth using a metal wire that holds the teeth in place after treatment.
Essix retainers: Essix retainers are clear plastic retainers that fit snugly over your teeth. They offer a discreet way to maintain tooth alignment.
Fixed (bonded) retainers: These are permanently attached to the back of your teeth, typically on the lower or upper arch. They provide continuous support without being removable, but they require special cleaning.

Retainers and Oral Health

Retainers play a crucial role in maintaining the alignment of your teeth after orthodontic treatment, helping to keep your teeth straight. However, depending on how well they are cared for, they can also impact your oral health, both positively and negatively.

Regular cleaning is essential to prevent tooth decay and dental disease. If a retainer is not cleaned properly, it can harbor dangerous bacteria, leading to bad odors, taste, and even serious oral health issues like infection.

Failing to disinfect retainers regularly can also result in plaque buildup around the retainer's plastic, which, over time, hardens into tartar. This can increase the risk of gum disease and decay, especially along the gums.

By maintaining a consistent cleaning routine, you can prevent these issues and keep your retainer in good condition. A well-maintained retainer supports your overall health and ensures that the results of your orthodontic treatment last for years to come. Regular cleaning also helps eliminate bad odors and prevents unpleasant tastes, making your retainer comfortable to wear and easier to maintain.

Cleaning your retainer daily helps reduce bacteria buildup, supporting your bacteria-fighting efforts and ensuring a healthy mouth.

This article was written in conjunction with AI technology, then fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.