How to Clean Orthodontic Retainer

Congratulations! Finally you have your braces removed and you are now ready to show the world your nice set of teeth and a perfectly chiseled jaw. Don’t get too excited yet because there’s still one last final touch to that winsome smile of yours.

As soon as your braces have been removed, your orthodontist will require you to wear retainers. As the name suggests, it will “retain” your teeth to their new positions. Just like your braces, your retainers also require the proper care it needs.

Let us show you how to maintain and clean your retainers properly in five easy ways:

Regular cleaning is a must. It has to be cleaned every night. Let us suppose you wear them 24/7. Cleaning becomes even more demanding because you will be advised to rinse them with warm water every time you take it off and place them back to your mouth. This is done to prevent bacteria build up.

There are retainers that do not actually require brushing to be cleaned. However, for those that can be cleaned in such a way, simply brush it with a little toothpaste. Never attempt to clean a retainer which does not require brushing as it may get scratched.

A denture cleaner is also an effective retainer cleaning agent. You can also use these to keep your retainers clean and germ-free all the time. However, there are specialized products that are now readily available in the market used specifically for cleaning the retainers. Should you opt to have these, cleaning your retainer with a toothbrush will no longer be necessary.

If your retainer has a lingering odor, soaking it overnight in a mouthwash will surely do the trick. Ideally, a retainer used round the clock must also be soaked in a dental cleaner for at least fifteen minutes every day.

Sometimes, plaque may build up in the retainer. When this happens, professional help must be sought. You can have your retainers cleaned by your orthodontist to remove all the plaques. If the same is no longer possible, then a replacement will be required of you.

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