If you are new to wearing retainers, you might be wondering how to care for it. People with a retainer, regardless of what type, should clean them regularly using a soft-bristled brush. A more comprehensive cleaning must be done at least once a week.

Signs that your retainer needs to be cleaned include its cloudy look, a film on it, bad taste or smell, and white spots. If it has been over a week since it was last cleaned, it’s about time to clean it again.

White spots that are found in the retainer could be tartar or mineral buildup or plaque-causing cavities, or maybe a combination of both. Another warning sign you need to watch out for is when your retainer keeps cracking or breaking. Just like how bacteria damages the teeth, it can also damage your retainer.

If you suddenly begin experiencing tooth sensitivity, getting cavities, and having all sorts of oral health problems, it is likely that there is a problem with your retainer. If this happens, consult with your dentist or orthodontist and go over proper retainer care and maintenance. Ask them to check if your retainer still fits perfectly, so they can refit it when needed.

Cleaning Retainers by Type

You would normally find three types of retainers:

  • Clear Plastic Retainers – they may go by the name of Vivera, clear aligners, or Essix. They are pretty much invisible and slip through your mouth, easy to remove, but not as durable as the Hawley retainers. 
  • Hawley Retainers – this type of retainer has a wire that keeps the retainer in place and is moulded out of acrylic to fit your mouth. This removable retainer is also easy to clean.
  • Bonded or Fixed Retainers – these are the permanent ones that are attached to your lower front teeth. Permanent retainers are used when you have a higher risk of having your teeth shift. They can be worn for months or even years.

How to Clean Retainers

Removable Retainer – Overnight Wear

For overnight retainers, a once-a-day cleaning is normally good enough. 

Removing your retainer and expecting some unpleasant odour or stale taste is normal, which is somewhat related to the phenomenon that is called the “morning breath.” Make sure that all the debris that has accumulated on your retainer overnight is removed before they have any chance of drying out. If, for some reason, your retainer needs to wait before it can get cleaned, like after breakfast when it’s time to brush your teeth, make sure to keep it in a glass of water to keep it wet.

Removable Retainer – Extended Wear

For those who wear their retainer for extended periods of the day, there are some extra considerations when it comes to cleaning. Just like with overnight wear retainers, it is recommended to clean them the moment you take them out from your mouth and keep them in a place where they will be kept wet at all times. 

For intra-day care for removable retainers, you must make sure that you rinse them with water every few hours or so. That is because agitation will dislodge the bacteria that are normally associated with debris and retard dental plaque formation.

Fixed or Bonded Retainer – Permanent Wear

Since this type of retainer is attached to your teeth, it is ideal to floss them daily to ensure their cleanliness. Using a floss threader, thread the floss between you two lower front teeth until you reached the retainer wire. Simply move it up and down until the gum lines. Be gentle when you have reached the gum lines already. Repeat the same process with each tooth that is attached to your retainer.

If you are having difficulties with caring for and maintaining your retainer, get in touch with our dentists in South Edmonton who can help you with techniques and offer more assistance.

Posted in Dental News & Advice