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Note: This article is only to guide and increase your knowledge. Before taking any action, you can consult “drhealthandbeauty” doctors or your doctor for treatment.
After the orthodontic treatment, the wires are removed from the teeth, and a post-orthodontic plate or retainer is used instead. The retainer minimizes the extra movement of the arranged teeth and prevents any abnormality and misalignment in the teeth.
Depending on the orthodontist’s opinion, the patient may use the retainer. Therefore, it is very important to keep it clean because if used continuously without cleaning, the patient may have an infection in the gum mucosa, mouth and teeth.
After removing fixed or removable braces from your teeth, they tend to move somewhat towards their previous position.
This is a natural process that lasts until the end of life. But do not worry—this does not make your treatment ineffective. The effective solution is to use an orthodontic retainer. If you use it correctly, you will fix the position of your teeth after the treatment.
Retainers are in direct contact with many substances, from sugars and acids to bacteria and food particles.
Cleaning them prevents the growth of bacteria that damage teeth, cause tooth decay, and increase their lifespan, so the patient should know the correct way to clean and maintain them.
There are different types of retainers, and various ways have been proposed to clean them. Below are the most reliable and available detergents and ways to keep all retainers clean.
Removable retainers include Hawley retainer and clear plastic retainer, which should be cleaned according to the following:
Wash these types of retainers immediately after removing them from the mouth before the waste material dries and hardens.
After every meal, wash your retainer with a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water and brush your teeth. Note that boiling water or high heat can change its shape.
Castile soap is less toxic than other cleaning products and is easily available in most stores or pharmacies. To clean the retainer with castile soap, a small amount of soap should be added to warm water. Then, dip the retainer in the mixture and clean it with a toothbrush.
The retainer should be left to soak for 2-3 minutes before rinsing again, if necessary. After that, it should be washed with cool water and put back in the mouth or placed in distilled water.
If deposits form on the orthodontic retainer, you can clean them with ultrasonic cleaners, which have cleaning and disinfecting properties, and a soft toothbrush. You can also apply an ear cleaner to clean the grooves.
You can mix cleaning tablets with lukewarm water to clean the retainers. However, to use this method, pay attention to the instructions for using it and the length of time it can be placed in this solution, or consult your dentist.
Consult: If you notice deposits on your retainer that cannot be removed, you can take them to your orthodontist for cleaning using special solutions.
These solutions are designed for deep cleaning and disinfecting of containers. Note that these materials contain persulfate, which can irritate the skin inside the mouth. Therefore, if you must use it after consulting your dentist, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to avoid damaging your retainer.
It is a natural and effective cleanser for preservatives. It neutralizes odours and helps whiten the retainer without using harsh chemicals. To clean these retainers, combine baking soda and water in equal proportions, which becomes a paste, and then wash it with a soft toothbrush.
This combination disinfects the device, removes stains and keeps the retainer fresh.
If you feel an unpleasant smell in your mouth. Reading the article “Bad Breath Like Rotten Eggs (Causes And Remedies)” will be very helpful.
Vinegar has antibacterial properties. Make a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water, place the retainer in it for 20 minutes, and then rinse. Vinegar kills bacteria and can also help dissolve mineral deposits that may build up on your retainer.
Hydrogen peroxide will be useful for a more thorough cleaning when your retainer is rusted or not cleaned regularly. Blend equal water and hydrogen peroxide and soak your retainer for 30 minutes. Be sure to wash it thoroughly with water before using it again.
It is a thin wire permanently placed behind the teeth by an orthodontist. Here are the tips for cleaning them:
Note that oral and dental hygiene is not only very important for the maintenance of retainers, but failure to do so will lead to serious problems. In the article “How To Keep Healthy Oral Microbiome” you will find its importance and practical methods.
So, pay attention to oral hygiene, especially brushing and flossing. Learn from your orthodontist how to properly floss for this type of retainer.
Be sure to brush the back parts of the teeth carefully, as plaque can accumulate around the corners of the orthodontic retainer.
While it is very important to use the right materials to clean the retainers. However, Some cases should be avoided to increase their lifespan and prevent oral and dental diseases due to the contamination of retainers. We will examine them below:
Although toothpaste may seem like an obvious choice for cleaning retainers, do not use toothpaste to wash the orthodontic retainer because this substance is abrasive and can cause scratches. These scratches cause bacteria to accumulate, eventually causing bad odour and stains.
Related: “Cavity Conundrum? Best Toothpaste To Reverse Cavities“
Finally, what is the assignment?
Try not to use cleaning materials to wash dental prostheses because this material can cause sensitivity in the skin inside the mouth.
Do not use a coarse toothbrush to clean the orthodontic retainer, as it may scratch and damage. Do not use hot water for washing because high heat will change its shape.
Avoid washing the orthodontic retainer with mouthwash containing alcohol or sodium lauryl sulfate. These materials cause the device to dry out.
Avoid washing the orthodontic retainer with cleaning products containing bleach or other harsh chemicals, such as dishwashing liquid. These materials can destroy the retainers and leave harmful residues on them.
Never use hot water to clean your retainers; it can warp the plastic and change its fit. Always use lukewarm or cool water to avoid damaging the retaining structure.
For many retainer , dryness is the enemy. Drying the retainer can help the adhesion of plaque and food to it. For many retainer , placing them in distilled water when not in use can extend the life of your preserver and give you months of use.
Do not immerse your orthodontic retainer in detergent for more than 15 to 20 minutes. And the use of ultraviolet disinfection light damages the retainer.
Wearing retainers should become a normal routine. We suggest following a daily and weekly routine to clean them.
If your teeth are still decaying despite regular brushing. The article “What Is The Cause Of Tooth Decay Despite Brushing? Demystifying” will be a good guide for you.
Next, we will examine the headers that tell you that a person should clean his holder:
Related: “Is Glycerin in Toothpaste Safe?“
Yes, it can be used, but do not use whitening toothpaste to clean the orthodontic retainer, because the whitening toothpaste scratches and wears the surface of the retainer and makes it unusable. To clean the retainer, it is better to use mild detergents.
In most cases, the use of mild non-acidic and antibacterial soaps can be a good chose for washing the orthodontic retainer. However, it is better to ask your orthodontist about this at the beginning of the period of use.
No, It is forbidden to use boiling or hot water to clean the orthodontic retainer. Therefore, boiling the retainer for the purpose of disinfecting and cleaning it is not recommended at all, because this will cause serious damage to the retainer.
Proper retainer care is essential to maintaining your oral health and ensuring your retainers last as long as possible. By following the cleaning methods and tips in this article, you can keep your retainers safe, clean, fresh, and effective. Remember, clean retainers mean a healthier, more confident smile.
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Dr. Majid Zohrabi started treating his patients in Dubai in 2022 and continues his activities in private medical centers in the UAE.