How to clean and care for your retainer

Congratulations, you got your braces off! As you may already be aware, in order to protect and maintain your new straight smile you have to wear your retainer. Besides wearing your retainer, you also have to ensure that your retainer is clean and well maintained.

How to Clean Your Retainer

Depending on the kind of retainer you were prescribed, cleaning you retainer might be different. Here are some general tips on cleaning you retainer:

• Removable retainers: These are retainers that you put in your mouth and take out. It is important to note that you should be cleaning your retainer as soon as you remove it from your mouth.
  • How to clean your removable retainers
    • Gently brush your retainer with a soft-bristle toothbrush
    • Soak your retainer in luke-warm and some mild dish soap for a deeper clean
    • If recommended by your orthodontist, you may soak your retainer in denture or retainer cleaner.  

• Permanent or fixed retainers: These are retainers that are placed and removed by your orthodontist. As these types of retainers are fixed to your teeth, it is important to ensure that you brush your teeth daily. You will need to use an interdental brush and dental floss to clean between your teeth.
  • How to clean your permanent retainer
    • First, visit your orthodontist to determine what size of interdental brush is best for you
    • Floss and then use the interdental brush
    • Brush your teeth

Things to avoid before you try to clean your retainers

Most retainers are partially made of plastic so when cleaning your retainer, do so with caution. Here are a few things to avoid:

• Avoid using harsh chemicals such as soda beverages
• Avoid boiling your retainer to sanitize it as you may melt the plastic and warp it
• Keep your retainer from dishwashers, microwaves or direct sunlight for extended periods of time.

Ultimately, your orthodontist will guide and provide you with a ‘prescription’ for retainer wear – which is when to wear them, for how long and how to care for them.

Having a clean retainer is essential to keeping your smile healthy and straight and not taking care of your retainer can have serious effects on your oral health.

If you are experiencing issues with your retainer or have any questions about retainer or braces, our experts can help! Contact us here