How to Clean a Dental Retainer Most Efficiently?

Most orthodontists suggest you clean the dental retainer with water and soap. The soap contains a lot of chemical residues that are harmful to your body. If you clean your retainer with soap and water, the substance and smell of soap stay in it. And it is too irritating when you wear it in your mouth. The smell of the soap enters your mouth and system. 

The dentist or the orthodontists do not suggest any harsh chemicals to clean the plastic retainer as it can break anytime. So it is best to opt for safe methods for proper cleaning. Dental retainers are made up of highly porous substances. It would help if you avoided ways like using hydrogen peroxide, mouthwash, UV sanitizer, bleach, dishwashers, rubbing alcohol, cleanser, and tablets. 

What are Dental Retainers

Orthodontic retainers or dental retainers are adjustable devices made up of plastics and wires. These are customized dental objects used to align the irregular teethes and fix the teeth’ position after a successful dental surgery. It is the best device for proper teeth growth and development. So go to the best orthodontists for getting an amazing tooth treatment using high-quality dental retainers. 

Methods to Clean Retainer with Vinegar

When you eat food, some food particles get stuck into the retainers. And it is necessary to clean the dental retainer properly as it is used orally. Many bacteria are already there in your mouth and damages the retainer. And automatically, bacteria stick to the retainer. So when you wear it, you are putting a plague-laden and bacteria to your mouth. Hence, it is truly unhygienic. So here are the methods to clean retainer with vinegar:

  • Take a dish to create an amazing mixture of vinegar. 
  • Take half a tablespoon of vinegar and warm water.
  • Soak the dental retainer in mild warm water with the added vinegar. 
  • Soak it for a minimum of 20 minutes.
  • You can apply a soft toothbrush to clean the dirt from the retainer. If your retainer comprises mineral deposits or a film, do not put hard bristle with your brush.
  • After taking it out from the solution, you must put it into a bowl of cold water. 
  • And dry it with a clean piece of cloth. 

Vinegar is the most popular type of disinfectant that can easily remove harmful residues and odours. It is a type of solution that has a strong smell. So it would help if you used a disposal dish to clean your retainer. Hence, enable proper cleaning with accurate methods. 

Bottom Line

The retainers should be cleaned when you experience a bad smell or taste, a film, looks cloudy, the appearance of white spots, and not cleaned for a long time. White spots are tartar that appears in the mineral deposits. 

It would help if you cleaned it safely as it can break due to high pressure. So always use the vinegar cleaning method to clean dental retainers as it is very expensive and needs to be sustained.