How to Keep Your Retainer Clean
- 1). Use a toothbrush. Ask your orthodontist if it is safe to use a toothbrush on your retainer. If so, use a little toothpaste and scrub away every day.
- 2). Consider a professional retainer-cleaning product. There are varieties of products on the market for cleaning retainers. In some cases, such products might be overkill, but some people find prepackaged solutions convenient.
- 3). Watch for white build-up. This can mean you aren’t getting your retainer clean. If the problem persists, consider changing your routine or cleaning your retainer more often.
- 4). Check for foul odors. If your retainer is getting stinky, it’s likely that you aren’t keeping it clean enough. A good daily routine should help prevent an odiferous retainer.
- 5). Soak the retainer occasionally, but no more than once a week. You can a homemade solution or purchase denture cleaning tablets to do this. Keep in mind that generic brands work just as well as expensive name brands. Don’t soak for more than a few hours and don’t use anything with alcohol in it, such as mouthwash, for soaking. A good time to do this is when you see white buildup or smell a foul odor. Make sure you rinse thoroughly before putting your appliances back into your mouth.
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