How to clean an orthodontic retainer and Invisalign aligners?

If
you or your child recently got a dental retainer or Invisalign Aligner
Trays, it is very important to clean it properly; otherwise, bacterial
buildup could ruin your retainer and make you ill. Here's the bottom
line: You need to clean your retainers or Invisalign aligner trays every
single day to keep them sparkling and germ-free.

There are many
easy home methods you can use, and some convenient products you can buy
for this purpose. These products work well for every type of retainer,
Invisalign trays, and other dental appliances. If your retainer contains
parts that are soldered on, you must be use caution when soaking it.
Many of the ingredients in retainer soaking solutions will crumble metal
solder over time. If you're not sure whether your retainer contains
metal solder, ask your dentist or Orthodontist in Arlington MA.

 
  Does your retainer smell? If so, it has bacterial buildup (the
bacteria cause the bad odor). Cleaning your retainer or aligner tray
every single day will prevent this bad smell, as well as potential
illness caused by putting a dirty appliance into your mouth!

   
Is your retainer covered in a hard white film? This white film is plaque
(tartar) – the same stuff that you brush off your teeth every day. If
you don't clean your retainer daily, that plaque will harden and be
almost impossible to get off.

Professional Retainer Cleaning Products

•
        Retainer Brite – Retainer Brite is an effervescing (fizzy)
tablet which kills the bacteria on your retainer and helps prevent white
plaque buildup. Each tablet is individually foil-sealed, so it's easy
to take Retainer Brite with you to the office or on a trip. Just drop
one tablet into warm tap water and soak your retainer or aligner tray
for 15 minutes. Then rinse it thoroughly with warm water. Optionally,
you can use a cordless sonic cleaner, which helps drive the product into
all the tiny crevices of your retainer for an even more thorough
cleaning. This is the product that my family and I use the most, because
we travel a lot. If you already have white plaque buildup on your
retainer, Retainer Brite might not get it off. It is best for preventing
the plaque buildup with daily use. Click to buy Retainer Brite.

•
        SonicBrite – SonicBrite is a retainer-cleaning powder which
comes with a high-quality sonic cleaner. It is a very strong product
which not only kills bacteria on your retainer, but does an excellent
job in removing the most stubborn white plaque buildup. (If your
retainer or aligner has a lot of white plaque buildup, you may need to
clean it several times with SonicBrite before the plaque is totally
removed). To clean your retainers or aligners, measure one spoonful of
powder and place it into the sonic cleaner along with warm tap water.
Place your retainer into the liquid and turn on the unit, which runs for
15 minutes. After the unit has finished running, take out your retainer
and rinse it with warm water. Click to buy SonicBrite.

•        
DentaSoak – This is one of the few “cold water” retainer cleaners on
the market. You mix it once and use the soaking solution for an entire
week. It's great for cleaning any type of retainer, aligner tray, or
dental appliance. A 15 minute soaking in DentaSoak kills bacteria. It
also removes stubborn white plaque buildup after several uses. And, if
you're concerned about allergies, DentaSoak does not contain
Persulfates. DentaSoak comes with its own special mixing cup and is
great for anyone who doesn't want to mix a new cleaning solution every
time. Click to buy DentaSoak.

•         Cleanse Freshen Go – If
you're taking your retainer or your aligner trays in and out of your
mouth continually, you will want the Cleanse Freshen Go retainer
cleaning wipes! The wipes are great for those times when you need to
clean your retainer and don't have access to running water. Cleanse
Freshen Go also makes a retainer cleaning spray. The wipes and the spray
don't contain Persulfates and have a fresh minty flavor. Click to buy
Cleanse Freshen Go.

•         OAP Cleaner – OAP is a
Persulfate-free retainer cleaner that kills 99.9% of bacteria on your
retainer within 60 seconds. OAP Retainer Cleaner comes in two forms: gel
and foam. We recommend the foam for clear Invisalign aligners and clear
Essix retainers because it quickly spreads into all of cracks and
crevices. The gel is great for Hawley retainers and other types of
removable dental appliances -- even ones that contain metal solder.
Click to buy OAP Retainer Cleaner.

Home Methods

There are
several inexpensive methods for cleaning retainers using household
products you may already have on-hand. Never use caustic chemicals like
bleach to clean your retainer – you could risk ruining it. Do not soak
your retainer in soda (believe it or not, some people think that Pepsi
or Coca-Cola can clean retainers, which is not true). Soaking your
retainer in soda will only be a breeding ground for more bacteria and
will not actually clean anything.

•         Brush with a Soft
Toothbrush – Each night, simply use a small bit of non-abrasive
toothpaste (regular, non-whitening) or dishwashing detergent and brush
your retainers with a very soft bristle toothbrush. This will help keep
your retainer clean, but it will not kill the harmful bacteria and won't
prevent white plaque buildup unless you brush the retainer extremely
thoroughly every single time. If you have a clear Invisalign aligner
tray or a clear retainer, brushing with a toothbrush is not recommended,
as it will put small scratches onto your retainer, which will
eventually turn it cloudy. Never use baking soda to clean your retainer,
because it is too abrasive and will scratch it (also, baking soda does
not kill germs)

•         Vinegar and Water Soak – Mix equal
amounts of white distilled vinegar and warm tap water in a cup and soak
your retainer for 15 to 30 minutes. Then brush your retainer gently with
a soft bristle toothbrush, and rinse it thoroughly in warm water.
Vinegar does have some germ-killing capabilities, but the disadvantage
of this method is that your retainer will not taste or smell very good
afterwards. Vinegar also will not prevent white plaque buildup.

•
        Hydrogen Peroxide and Water Soak – Mix equal amounts of warm
tap water and 3% hydrogen peroxide, and soak your retainer for at least
30 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly with warm water. Hydrogen peroxide
will kill some bacteria, but it will not be very effective in removing
white plaque build-up.

•         Mouthwash Soak – You can dilute
equal parts of mouthwash and water to temporarily make your retainer
smell fresh and kill some of the bacteria. However, mouthwash usually
contains some amount of alcohol, which can be harmful to the plastic of
your retainer. It's OK to soak your retainers in mouthwash occasionally,
but regular soaking in mouthwash could harm your retainer.

•    
    Denture Tablets Soak – This method is not recommended. Denture
tablets are not formulated for retainers, and will eventually turn your
retainer yellow. It's OK to use them in a pinch once in a while, but
continual use will not be good for your retainers.

When it comes
to any orthodontic needs, whether your own or those of a family member,
we are here for you. We have the staff and training to make sure that
you and your loved ones get the treatments and care that you deserve.