how to clean your retainer

Retainers are the victims of many accidental tosses into the trash, drops onto the floor, sometimes ending up in the muckiest of situations. This device is a necessity in preserving your smile, so what do you do? Here are some ways to keep your retainer clean and ready to use regularly along with how to disinfect and rescue your retainer from any unfortunate germy mishaps.

Cleaning Your Retainer

Regularly cleaning your retainer is a necessity for good health. The retainer is exposed to many germs in your saliva, food particles or other things that enter your mouth. A retainer that is not kept clean can lead to bigger problems like infections of the throat, bacterial endocarditis and gastrointestinal infections. Here's how to keep your retainer clean and yourself healthy.

What You Will Need:

• Small bowls
• Dental cleaner
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Mouthwash (alcohol free)

The Cleaning Process:

1. Remove the retainer from your mouth and rinse thoroughly.
2. Fill the small bowl with enough dental cleaner to cover the retainer.
3. Let the retainer soak for at least 15 minutes or longer if required by the manufacturer's directions.
4. Remove the retainer and use the toothpaste to scrub with toothpaste. You want to remove any plaque that has built-up.
5. When you have removed all of the plaque, let the retainer soak in a small dish of mouthwash. The longer the better; try to soak it for at least two hours or overnight if possible.
6. Remove the retainer and rinse.
7. Your retainer should be clean and ready to use.

Disinfecting Your Retainer

If your retainer finds itself in a germy predicament, the first goal is to sanitize it thoroughly to kill any bacteria and germs. It's generally not safe to boil a retainer because it can lose its shape. Here are some other alternatives to try.

What You Will Need:

• Alcohol (concentrated, not the diluted type)
• Listerine (optional)
• Small bowls
• Old toothbrush
• Mild dish detergent

The Cleaning Process:

1. Fill the small bowl with enough warm water to cover the retainer.
2. Add a small amount of mild dish detergent (antibacterial detergent might be good) and mix until suds begin to form.
3. Place the retainer in the water and scrub away any dirt or grime using the toothbrush.
4. Rinse with clean water.
5. Place the retainer in the second bowl and cover with alcohol. If you don't have alcohol available, Listerine is also a germ-killing mouthwash that could be used.
6. Let the retainer soak for 15-30 minutes. Do not leave the retainer soak for too long or the alcohol could start to break down the plastic.
7. Remove and rinse thoroughly under running water. Be sure to remove any alcohol that may be on the surfaces.
8. Clean following the instructions for regular cleanings to ensure all alcohol is removed along with any peculiar tastes.
9. If you are worried that you may damage you retainer, another option is to take it to your orthodontist and they can sanitize it for you.

Additional Tips and Advice:

• Avoid boiling or using high heat methods to clean your retainer. The heat will warp the plastic and cause disfiguration.
• Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes and denture cleaners as they can cause the retainer to crack and break.
• If you are unable to remove the plaque, you may need to have a professional dentist clean it or you may need a new one.
• It's best to brush your retainer daily when you brush your teeth. This will decrease the need for more intense cleanings.

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how to clean your retainer

Source: https://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-retainer/

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