Dental Care Fun for Kids

« Back to Home

Foolproof Techniques For Keeping Your Invisalign Retainer Clean

Posted on

With any dental product that you put in your mouth, you will want to clean the product regularly to make sure that it does not start to harbor germs. Fortunately, for Invisalign products, there are many ways that you can clean this dental appliance.

Rinsing

Rinse down the Invisalign retainer with lukewarm water before you use any cleaning method and whenever you remove your retainer. This will prevent saliva from building up. This will remove debris and make it easier to clean the retainer. Then, you can use the proprietary cleaning product that is recommended for Invisalign. However, if you want to save money, there are several other ways you can clean your retainer.

Brushing

An Invisalign retainer can simply be cleaned with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Scrub the toothbrush in circular motions to remove any calcium or tartar buildup. Then, use lukewarm water to rinse the toothpaste off. This approach is easy because you'll likely have toothpaste ready wherever you perform your morning routine. If you don't want to use your toothpaste, you could instead use soap and water. 

Soaking

An easy way to clean your retainer is to purchase a vibratory bath. This uses an ultrasonic cleaning system as well as soluble crystals to clean your retainer. This kills bacteria and dislodges any microorganisms clinging to your retainer. Afterward, use a toothbrush that you do not use on your teeth to scrub the retainer. Then, rinse it off. 

You can create your own homemade solution with hydrogen peroxide. Use one part hydrogen peroxide and one part warm tap water. Soak the retainer in the solution for half an hour. This cleaning method will kill bacteria but will not remove plague buildup.

If your retainer has plaque, you will want to use one of the other cleaning methods. Also, if tartar is building up on your retainer, you can soak it in vinegar overnight. After using either of these two methods, rinse your retainer before putting it back in your mouth.

Placing Back In Your Mouth

Always brush and floss your teeth before putting the retainer back in your mouth. Fortunately, it can be easier to clean your teeth with Invisalign than it is to clean them with conventional braces.

Cleaning your retainer is essential because you will otherwise contribute to the amount of bacteria that is in your mouth. By doing this, you will contribute to any oral decay that you might be experiencing. 


Share