How to Clean Retainers

As your dentist or orthodontist has probably explained – cleaning your retainers regularly is vital; they’re worn day-in, day-out after all.

After orthodontic treatment, individuals are generally required to wear their retainers full time for four to six months before wearing them only at night to ensure the new position of the teeth becomes permanent. Retainers should be worn at night indefinitely, as teeth can continue to shift throughout life.

When retainers are not cleaned regularly, bacteria and plaque can build up. If you’re not sure you are cleaning your retainers properly, or you’ve never been taught, here’s how to keep your retainers both clean and hygienic.

The importance of cleaning retainers

When you keep your retainer clean, you keep your teeth clean, too. Cleaning your retainer is vital for your overall oral health and to ensure it remains functional.

When retainers are not cleaned regularly, especially after eating or sleeping, bacteria and plaque build up. A dirty retainer can contribute to poor oral hygiene and increase the risk of gum irritation or decay.

How to clean retainers

There are two main types of retainers: removable and permanent. Different types of retainers are suited to different dental needs. At Glow Orthodontics, specialist orthodontist Dr Jessica Yeo assesses your orthodontic needs and recommends a custom retainer plan suited to you. Cleaning routines should vary slightly depending on the type of retainer worn.

Removable retainers

Removable retainers are convenient and easy to get on and off when eating or brushing teeth. If worn as advised by the orthodontist, they are effective in keeping the teeth straight after orthodontic treatment, such as braces and Invisalign. There are two types of removable retainers: clear plastic retainers and Hawley retainers

Clear plastic retainers are customised to fit your entire rows of top or bottom teeth to maintain their alignment and prevent unwanted movement. Hawley retainers are made of thin metal wire and acrylic or plastic and are made to fit the roof of the mouth or along the inside of the lower teeth.

Cleaning removable retainers

1. Brush your teeth. After eating food and before putting the retainer in your mouth, brush your teeth or give them a thorough rinse to prevent food from getting stuck.

2. Rinse regularly. Every time you take your retainer out of your mouth, rinse it under warm water (avoid hot water!). This will remove any bacteria and plaque that may be drying out your retainer.

3. Gently brush. Once or twice a day, use non-whitening toothpaste or soap and a soft toothbrush to brush your retainer gently.

4. Soak it with a retainer cleaner. At least once a week, soak your retainer in cold water with a retainer specific cleaning tablet to prevent bacteria from growing on it.

Permanent retainers

Permanent retainers, also known as fixed, lingual wire, or bonded retainers, are placed by the orthodontist. Permanent retainers are typically made from stainless steel wire that is attached (bonded) to the inside of the front teeth to keep them from moving.

Generally, orthodontists will recommend permanent retainers for individuals with a high risk of relapse or in specific cases where long-term stability is a concern - such as patients with significant initial crowding or spacing of their front teeth.

Cleaning permanent retainers

1. Brush with care. With caution, brush around the permanent retainer with a soft-bristle toothbrush to remove plaque and food.

2. Floss daily. Traditional flossing may be tricky with permanent retainers. Using tools such as a floss threader, Superfloss or water flosser can make the process easier.

3. Regular check ups with your dentist. During regular visits, your dentist can perform scaling to give your teeth and permanent retainers a thorough clean and monitor the condition of your retainers.

If you have a removable or permanent retainer, or are looking to get one, it’s important to keep cleaning it. Glow Orthodontics, led by Dr Jessica Yeo, is a Sydney specialist orthodontic practice that locals trust to give patient-focused advice and outcome-centric treatment, including after-care guidance. Your experienced orthodontist will equip you with knowledge and ongoing support to ensure your retainer is clean and functional. Contact the team at Glow Orthodontics for a consultation or to have any of your questions about retainers answered.