How To Clean Retainers

Retainers are used to hold teeth in place after the removal of braces or surgery. Their basic function is to keep the teeth in their new position because they can shift over time if they’re not held in place. Depending on individual needs, they can be worn part-time or full-time, and they should be cleaned regularly just like teeth. The matter that accumulates on unbrushed teeth, including bacteria, food particles, tartar, and plaque, can also build on retainers. A buildup on a retainer can expose the individual to dangerous bacteria and cause illnesses. Retainers attached to the teeth must be flossed daily to keep them clean, but most retainers are removable and easy to clean.

Clean When Wet

Retainers are easier to clean when wet, which is why they should be brushed immediately after being removed from the mouth. This will help remove all the debris before it has a chance to harden on the surface of the retainer. Some debris can also be rinsed off while the retainer is still in the wearer's mouth by swishing around a mouthful of water. Individuals who are unable to wash their retainer immediately can keep it in a damp napkin or paper towel. It's generally a good idea to keep a retainer wet or at least moist at all times. It helps lengthen the life of the retainer and prevent damage. Thus, individuals should keep their retainers submerged in liquids like distilled water when it's not in their mouth.

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Use A Soft Toothbrush To Scrub Plaque

A toothbrush can be used to brush a retainer in the same way individuals brush their teeth. Using a soft toothbrush, individuals should gently brush their retainer to scrub plaque and other debris every time they brush their teeth. If they did not remove the retainer before doing this, they should do so now and rinse the retainer to flush remaining debris. They can then brush their teeth again to remove remaining food particles or other material.

Many of us lead busy, hectic lives and can’t always clean our retainers regularly. We may forget sometimes because of the many things that occupy our minds, or exhaustion may send us straight to bed. In these cases, individuals can soak their retainer for a couple of hours the following day to loosen food, debris, or other material before brushing it. A more thorough cleaning should be done once a week.

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