A 22-year-old female asked:
what is the best way too clean your plastic retainer?
4 doctor answers
Dr. Joshua Batt answered
8 years experience Emergency Medicine
Retainer Cleaning: Here are a few simple ways to clean your retainer:
1. Rinse with water and apply friction with your fingers
2. Use your toothbrush, water and paste
3. Purchase a denture cleaning kit, it works perfectly for this.
Answered on Nov 22, 2013
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1 thank
Dr. Nathaniel Chan answered
19 years experience Dentistry
Rinse, brush often: You should brush your retainer every time you brush your teeth. You should try to rinse or brush your retainer every time you eat. If there is build up, you could try soaking it in mouthwash or denture cleaners.
Answered on Nov 22, 2013
Dr. Howard Spector answered
39 years experience Orthodontics
Cleaning retainers: The best way to clean your orthodontic retainer is with a cleanser designated specifically for that purpose. There are several "over-the-counter" products available, including "retainer-brite" and efferdent cleanser. Another option is simply to brush your retainer with warm water using a toothbrush. On occasion, an antibacterial hand soap is useful, but be sure to wash it well afterwards!
Answered on Sep 11, 2016
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1 comment
3
3 thanks
Dr. Robert Douglas commented
50 years experience Orthodontics
I give all my patients a Retainer Brite sample to get them started. If not available locally, you can get it on line.
Sep 11, 2016
Dr. Arnold Malerman answered
52 years experience Orthodontics
Carefully: Sorry, couldn't resist that very bad joke. Recommend that our patients gently brush retainers, metal and plastic with a soft toothbrush 2x/day (do not use toothpaste as it can scratch the plastic). That will get rid of the bacteria clinging to the outside of the retainers. For microbes that penetrate into the lattice structure of the plastic, use Denture Cleaner 1x/day as per pkg instructions.
Answered on Jun 26, 2015
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Related questions:
A 53-year-old member asked:
Dr. Arnold Malerman answered
52 years experience Orthodontics
Cleaning retainers: Gently rinse w water every time you remove them. 2x/day gently wash w soap/water. Rinse thoroughly before reinserting. 1x/day place in a small bowl, c ... Read More
A 15-year-old female asked:
Dr. Paul Grin answered
35 years experience Pain Management
White vinegar: In your case, soaking the retainer in undiluted white vinegar for 1 hour will remove the green and yellow build up. Heavier build up will require a l ... Read More
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Arnold Malerman answered
52 years experience Orthodontics
Wax: Wrong solution. Retainer should not be causing rubbing, cutting, scraping, ulcers, etc. Please return immediately to the specialist Orthodontist or Ge ... Read More
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Paul Grin answered
35 years experience Pain Management
Vinegar and Water: Add 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar to a cup warm tap water and soak your retainer for 20 minutes. Then brush your retainer gently with a soft b ... Read More
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