There’s lots of different retainers on the market, different brands, different materials. This guide will explain how to clean each and every one of them.
How to Clean Invisalign Retainers
If you ask Invisalign how to clean your retainer they will direct you to their online store, where you can purchase their special cleaning solutions. This includes overpriced cleaning “crystals” and “foam. A quick reddit search however, will reveal that many people are unhappy with the performance of these pricey products.
If you wish to use a retainer-specific cleaning product, many people recommend a brand called “retainer brite” that can be found on Amazon and in WalMart. That said, there are some simple, DIY cleaning methods that are fast, safe and effective.
Dawn / Dish Soap
Interestingly enough, a dental tech told us that she recommends using regular dish soap and a (very soft) toothbrush to scrub your retainers nightly. Dish soap is very good at removing plaque, stains and food particles – and it rinses off completely clean!
Denture Tablets
Our research has revealed that dentists are telling people not to use denture tablets on their retainers because it can degrade the plastic over time. After further research however we haven’t found a single person who has had their retainer fail because of this. This is probably because retainers are replaced well before the plastic can degrade.
- Fill a small cup with warm water.
- Drop in a denture tablet and let it dissolve.
- Soak the retainer in the solution for 10-15 minutes.
- Gently scrub the retainer with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Rinse the retainer with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Vinegar
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a small bowl.
- Soak the retainer in the mixture for as long as you don’t need it. 10-15 mintues helps, but up to a few hours will loosen everything up – stains, plaque, etc.
- Gently scrub the retainer with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Rinse the retainer with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Peroxide
Peroxide will clean your retainer while also whitening it. Give it a shot!
- Mix equal parts peroxide and warm water in a small bowl.
- Soak the retainer in the mixture for 20-30 minutes.
- Gently scrub the retainer with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Rinse the retainer with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Baking Soda
If you choose to use baking soda, be very careful. It is abrasive and scrubbing your retainer to hard with it can cause damage. Use this to remove stains and plaque from problem areas and be very, very gentle!
- Wet the retainer with warm water.
- Dip a soft-bristled toothbrush into a small amount of baking soda paste (mix the baking soda with water to make a paste).
- Gently scrub the retainer, paying attention to any areas with plaque or stains.
- Rinse the retainer with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Mouthwash
We don’t recommend using mouthwash to soak or scrub your retainer. Mouthwash is excellent at killing bacteria (alcohol content) and freshening breath, but the alcohol and other chemicals in it can damage and discolor your retainer. People who have tried this also complain that it adds an unpleasant flavor to the dental device. Yuck!
How to Clean Vivera Retainers
Vivera is owned by Invisalign. According to their official website, you should (of course) use their overpriced “Invisalign Aligner Cleaning System.” – but they also begrudgingly advise that you can use a “soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of non-abrasive toothpaste” to clean your retainer
If you wish to use a retainer-specific cleaning product, many people recommend a brand called “retainer brite” that can be found on Amazon and in WalMart. That said, there are some simple, DIY cleaning methods that are fast, safe and effective.
Dawn / Dish Soap
Interestingly enough, a dental tech told us that she recommends using regular dish soap and a (very soft) toothbrush to scrub your retainers nightly. Dish soap is very good at removing plaque, stains and food particles – and it rinses off completely clean!
Denture Tablets
Our research has revealed that dentists are telling people not to use denture tablets on their retainers because it can degrade the plastic over time. After further research however we haven’t found a single person who has had their retainer fail because of this. This is probably because retainers are replaced well before the plastic can degrade.
- Fill a small cup with warm water.
- Drop in a denture tablet and let it dissolve.
- Soak the retainer in the solution for 10-15 minutes.
- Gently scrub the retainer with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Rinse the retainer with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Vinegar
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a small bowl.
- Soak the retainer in the mixture for as long as you don’t need it. 10-15 mintues helps, but up to a few hours will loosen everything up – stains, plaque, etc.
- Gently scrub the retainer with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Rinse the retainer with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Peroxide
Peroxide will clean your retainer while also whitening it. Give it a shot!
- Mix equal parts peroxide and warm water in a small bowl.
- Soak the retainer in the mixture for 20-30 minutes.
- Gently scrub the retainer with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Rinse the retainer with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Baking Soda
If you choose to use baking soda, be very careful. It is abrasive and scrubbing your retainer to hard with it can cause damage. Use this to remove stains and plaque from problem areas and be very, very gentle!
- Wet the retainer with warm water.
- Dip a soft-bristled toothbrush into a small amount of baking soda paste (mix the baking soda with water to make a paste).
- Gently scrub the retainer, paying attention to any areas with plaque or stains.
- Rinse the retainer with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Mouthwash
We don’t recommend using mouthwash to soak or scrub your retainer. Mouthwash is excellent at killing bacteria (alcohol content) and freshening breath, but the alcohol and other chemicals in it can damage and discolor your retainer. People who have tried this also complain that it adds an unpleasant flavor to the dental device. Yuck!
How to Clean Essix Retainers
Essix retainers are pretty easy to care for with just a few no-no’s:
- Never use hot water to clean your retainer as it can lose its shape.
- Never use alcohol-based cleaners or mouthwash as those WILL damage your retainer.
If you wish to use a retainer-specific cleaning product, many people recommend a brand called “retainer brite” that can be found on Amazon and in WalMart. That said, there are some simple, DIY cleaning methods that are fast, safe and effective.
Dawn / Dish Soap
Interestingly enough, a dental tech told us that she recommends using regular dish soap and a (very soft) toothbrush to scrub your retainers nightly. Dish soap is very good at removing plaque, stains and food particles – and it rinses off completely clean!
Denture Tablets
Our research has revealed that dentists are telling people not to use denture tablets on their retainers because it can degrade the plastic over time. After further research however we haven’t found a single person who has had their retainer fail because of this. This is probably because retainers are replaced well before the plastic can degrade.
- Fill a small cup with warm water.
- Drop in a denture tablet and let it dissolve.
- Soak the retainer in the solution for 10-15 minutes.
- Gently scrub the retainer with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Rinse the retainer with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Vinegar
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a small bowl.
- Soak the retainer in the mixture for as long as you don’t need it. 10-15 mintues helps, but up to a few hours will loosen everything up – stains, plaque, etc.
- Gently scrub the retainer with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Rinse the retainer with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Peroxide
Peroxide will clean your retainer while also whitening it. Give it a shot!
- Mix equal parts peroxide and warm water in a small bowl.
- Soak the retainer in the mixture for 20-30 minutes.
- Gently scrub the retainer with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Rinse the retainer with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Baking Soda
If you choose to use baking soda, be very careful. It is abrasive and scrubbing your retainer to hard with it can cause damage. Use this to remove stains and plaque from problem areas and be very, very gentle!
- Wet the retainer with warm water.
- Dip a soft-bristled toothbrush into a small amount of baking soda paste (mix the baking soda with water to make a paste).
- Gently scrub the retainer, paying attention to any areas with plaque or stains.
- Rinse the retainer with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Mouthwash
We don’t recommend using mouthwash to soak or scrub your retainer. Mouthwash is excellent at killing bacteria (alcohol content) and freshening breath, but the alcohol and other chemicals in it can damage and discolor your retainer. People who have tried this also complain that it adds an unpleasant flavor to the dental device. Yuck!
How to Clean Hawley Retainers
Hawley retainers are very durable and generally hold up well to most cleaning methods.
If you wish to use a retainer-specific cleaning product, many people recommend a brand called “retainer brite” that can be found on Amazon and in WalMart. That said, there are some simple, DIY cleaning methods that are fast, safe and effective.
Dawn / Dish Soap
Interestingly enough, a dental tech told us that she recommends using regular dish soap and a (very soft) toothbrush to scrub your retainers nightly. Dish soap is very good at removing plaque, stains and food particles – and it rinses off completely clean!
Denture Tablets
Our research has revealed that dentists are telling people not to use denture tablets on their retainers because it can degrade the plastic over time. After further research however we haven’t found a single person who has had their retainer fail because of this. This is probably because retainers are replaced well before the plastic can degrade.
- Fill a small cup with warm water.
- Drop in a denture tablet and let it dissolve.
- Soak the retainer in the solution for 10-15 minutes.
- Gently scrub the retainer with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Rinse the retainer with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Vinegar
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a small bowl.
- Soak the retainer in the mixture for as long as you don’t need it. 10-15 mintues helps, but up to a few hours will loosen everything up – stains, plaque, etc.
- Gently scrub the retainer with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Rinse the retainer with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Peroxide
Peroxide will clean your retainer while also whitening it. Give it a shot!
- Mix equal parts peroxide and warm water in a small bowl.
- Soak the retainer in the mixture for 20-30 minutes.
- Gently scrub the retainer with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Rinse the retainer with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Baking Soda
If you choose to use baking soda, be very careful. It is abrasive and scrubbing your retainer to hard with it can cause damage. Use this to remove stains and plaque from problem areas and be very, very gentle!
- Wet the retainer with warm water.
- Dip a soft-bristled toothbrush into a small amount of baking soda paste (mix the baking soda with water to make a paste).
- Gently scrub the retainer, paying attention to any areas with plaque or stains.
- Rinse the retainer with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Mouthwash
We don’t recommend using mouthwash to soak or scrub your retainer. Mouthwash is excellent at killing bacteria (alcohol content) and freshening breath, but the al
How to Clean Generic Metal, Plastic and Wire Retainers
Have a brand that isn’t listed here? Here’s what you need to know:
- If your retainer is made of plastic, do not wash it in hot water because that can cause it to deform and ruin it.
- Never use alcohol-based cleaners such as mouthwash or isopropyl alcohol because over time the alcohol will make the retainer dry out and become brittle, it may cause discoloration, and often it will leave your retainer with a strong and unpleasant taste.
If you wish to use a retainer-specific cleaning product, many people recommend a brand called “retainer brite” that can be found on Amazon and in WalMart. That said, there are some simple, DIY cleaning methods that are fast, safe and effective.
Dawn / Dish Soap
Interestingly enough, a dental tech told us that she recommends using regular dish soap and a (very soft) toothbrush to scrub your retainers nightly. Dish soap is very good at removing plaque, stains and food particles – and it rinses off completely clean!
Denture Tablets
Our research has revealed that dentists are telling people not to use denture tablets on their retainers because it can degrade the plastic over time. After further research however we haven’t found a single person who has had their retainer fail because of this. This is probably because retainers are replaced well before the plastic can degrade.
- Fill a small cup with warm water.
- Drop in a denture tablet and let it dissolve.
- Soak the retainer in the solution for 10-15 minutes.
- Gently scrub the retainer with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Rinse the retainer with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Vinegar
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a small bowl.
- Soak the retainer in the mixture for as long as you don’t need it. 10-15 mintues helps, but up to a few hours will loosen everything up – stains, plaque, etc.
- Gently scrub the retainer with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Rinse the retainer with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Peroxide
Peroxide will clean your retainer while also whitening it. Give it a shot!
- Mix equal parts peroxide and warm water in a small bowl.
- Soak the retainer in the mixture for 20-30 minutes.
- Gently scrub the retainer with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Rinse the retainer with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Baking Soda
If you choose to use baking soda, be very careful. It is abrasive and scrubbing your retainer to hard with it can cause damage. Use this to remove stains and plaque from problem areas and be very, very gentle!
- Wet the retainer with warm water.
- Dip a soft-bristled toothbrush into a small amount of baking soda paste (mix the baking soda with water to make a paste).
- Gently scrub the retainer, paying attention to any areas with plaque or stains.
- Rinse the retainer with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Mouthwash
We don’t recommend using mouthwash to soak or scrub your retainer. Mouthwash is excellent at killing bacteria (alcohol content) and freshening breath, but the al
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