Retainers are just one more necessary step to having straight, beautiful teeth. However, it’s still your job to keep them clean to prevent bacteria and plaque buildup.
See, after your braces are removed, your orthodontist will create custom retainers for you, which you will wear for about a year to ensure that your teeth do not slip back to their original positions.
Cleaning Your Retainers the Right Way
Although you are permitted to remove your retainer when drinking, eating, or attending a social gathering, it must be cleaned on a regular basis to ensure appropriate dental hygiene.
Cleaning your retainers can be done with a variety of cleaning agents. Take a look at some of the best options.
Using Water
Keeping your retainers clean when brushing your teeth helps to keep microorganisms at bay. If your retainer seems unclean, swish some water around in your mouth a few times.
Allowing retainers to dry out makes them more vulnerable to harm. Every time you take them out, soak them in distilled water. Alternatively, you may soak them in a damp paper towel if you don’t have a full container to soak them in. This is also a viable method if the retainer is dirty and you can’t clean it immediately.
Your retainer case should also be cleaned on a regular basis. Before putting the retainer away, clean the case once a day. Scrub the surfaces carefully with warm soapy water, then rinse and pat dry.
Using Baking Soda
You have to mix equal parts baking soda and water to make a paste. It’s important that the paste is thick enough to adhere to your retainer.
Apply this mixture to the retainer with the aid of a soft toothbrush. To eliminate any residue, brush lightly and thoroughly with water.
Using Retainer Cleaner
You can buy retainer cleansers in the store if you don’t have the time or want to manufacture your own retainer cleaning solution. Stick to the instructions on the package. If you’re unsure, your orthodontist will be able to suggest the best retainer cleaner for you.
Cleaning Your Retainers the Wrong Way
Many people do not use the proper techniques for cleaning their retainers. This might be a costly mistake because your retainers may be damaged. To protect your oral care investment, avoid the following cleaning blunders.
Using Mouthwash
One widespread misconception is that mouthwash can be used to clean your retainer. Anything with alcohol in it is bad for your retainers, and mouthwash contains alcohol. It is less effective at cleaning retainers and dries them out, making them more susceptible to breakage.
Using Toothpaste
Using toothpaste to clean your retainer is not a good idea. It’s fantastic for brushing your teeth, but not so much for cleaning your retainers. Toothpaste contains abrasive ingredients that are effective at cleaning your enamel. Your enamel is robust and capable of withstanding it.
However, when you clean your retainers with toothpaste, you risk damaging the delicate materials that make up your retainer.
Conclusion
Your retainer is placed in your mouth and comes into contact with your teeth. It can cause bacterial development, plaque, and tartar buildup in your teeth if it isn’t cleaned. This is why it’s important to keep your retainer odor-free and clean it effectively.
If you’re planning to get an orthodontic retainer in Manassas, Solarte Orthodontics will provide the best and most reliable dental service for you. We offer orthodontic treatments for adults and children. Contact us today to book a dental appointment.
