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For the most part, caring for braces is pretty simple. Yes, you have to brush more frequently, and yes, flossing takes more time than usual, but it’s all essentially the same process as your normal oral hygiene routine, just with a little added metalwork. Once you get your braces off, though, you’ll enter the retention phase, and it’s just as important that you clean your retainer as diligently as you did your braces.
Brush & Soak
Truth be told, cleaning your retainer isn’t all that different from cleaning your teeth. The most important thing is to brush it every time you take it out or put it back in. You’ll do this similarly to how you brush teeth: take a toothbrush with a small amount of toothpaste, then thoroughly brush every surface of the retainer to remove plaque, saliva, and debris. Once you’re done brushing, rinse it off and either put it in its case or return it to your mouth. Wearing a night guard as well as a retainer is a separate question, and night guard and retainer together addresses it.
You’ll also need to soak your retainer regularly. To do this, fill a glass with tap water and drop a denture cleaning tablet in along with your retainer. Let this mixture sit for the time recommended on the denture cleaning box, then dump it out, being careful not to dump your appliance, rinse off the appliance, and put it away.
Smells and stains that outlast cleaning
When a retainer still smells after cleaning, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) points to bacteria that linger if it is not dried properly or has micro-cracks, and to strong-smelling foods or drinks taken often. The AAO suggests a soak with a retainer-cleaning tablet or a baking soda paste and, if the odor persists, contacting your orthodontist, because there may be microscopic damage or material breakdown.
Stains that survive cleaning can come from resistant bacteria, an aging material or missed buildup, the AAO says, and discoloration lasting through several cleaning methods is a reason to see your orthodontist. If damage has changed how the retainer sits, turn to what to do when a retainer does not fit.
The AAO says to skip soaking a retainer in standard mouthwash, because many mouthwashes contain alcohol or other harsh ingredients that can weaken retainer materials or cause discoloration; for a fresh feeling, it suggests briefly swishing an alcohol-free rinse with the retainer in place, then rinsing thoroughly. The AAO also says to replace a retainer case that shows cracks or wear or still smells after cleaning.
At meals, on trips and around pets
A removable retainer comes out for meals: the AAO recommends taking it out while eating to prevent damage, and our retention page asks you not to eat or drink anything but water while wearing it. With a fixed retainer, the AAO says to avoid hard or sticky foods that may dislodge the wire. Out of your mouth, a retainer belongs in its case, since the AAO warns that retainers wrapped in napkins get thrown away and retainers in pockets or purses fall out or get broken.
Travel is no reason to skip cleaning, the AAO says: pack a travel-size kit with a soft-bristled brush, a cleanser and a compact soaking container, carry a sturdy, ventilated case in your carry-on, and keep up the daily rinse and brushing routine. The AAO also warns that even inside its case, a retainer can be damaged if left in a hot car or on a heater.
Pets put a retainer at risk: the AAO says they are often attracted to the smell of saliva on retainers and that chewing can be dangerous for the pet and damaging to the retainer, so it advises a sealed case out of reach. If a pet has chewed a retainer, contact your veterinarian about the pet first; for the retainer, the AAO says to stop using it and notify your orthodontist immediately about a replacement, as its article on why dogs eat retainers (opens in a new tab) advises. Where your orthodontist has given you different instructions, follow those. If a pet does get to a retainer, insurance and a replacement retainer covers what to ask your dental plan.
Contact Your Northborough & Marlborough, MA Orthodontists
Have more questions about caring for your teeth or appliance? We’re always happy to speak with patients. Feel free to reach out through our contact page with any questions, or request a consultation at the Northborough, Marlborough, Newton Centre or Worcester, MA office. We can’t wait to hear from you, and we’ll see you back at this blog for more tips on taking care of your teeth and braces.
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