If you’ve recently had orthodontic treatment, your dentist has probably told you that you must wear your retainer. But let’s face it: Most of us aren’t scrubbing our retainers thoroughly enough, and these devices can get pretty gross quickly.

If you’ve noticed your clear plastic retainer looking cloudy, smelling bad, or developing plaque buildup, it’s time for a deep clean!

So let’s go over how to clean a plastic retainer at home.

Why Regular Retainer Cleaning Is Important

It might be tempting to just give your retainer a quick rinse and pop it back in, but over time, that can lead to problems.

Clear plastic retainers are in constant contact with bacteria and food particles from your mouth. If they aren’t cleaned regularly, they become a breeding ground for plaque and germs. Even fungus can thrive on an unclean retainer!

A dirty retainer will eventually cause bad breath and an unpleasant taste. And to top it all off, wearing a dirty retainer will hold decay-causing bacteria against your teeth, which can cause the retainer to give you cavities.

In short, a clean retainer is healthier for you and for the device. The American Association of Orthodontists emphasizes that dirty retainers can harbor bacteria and even warp or degrade if not cared for.

If you want to avoid this trouble, all you need to do learn how to clean a plastic retainer and do it regularly! We’ll teach you how.

How to Clean a Plastic Retainer

Most retainers worn after braces these days are the clear plastic type (often called Essix retainers), which cover all your teeth like a thin, invisible tray. The cleaning methods we’ll discuss work for those, and they also apply to the plastic parts of Hawley retainers (which have an acrylic plate and wires).

Here’s how to clean a plastic retainer:

1. Brushing Gently with Mild Soap

Every day, when you remove your retainer (usually in the morning if you wear it overnight), give it a gentle scrub.

You’ll want to use a soft-bristled toothbrush dedicated to cleaning your retainer (not the same one you use on your teeth) and a few drops of mild dish soap or hand soap.

Do NOT use toothpaste on a clear plastic retainer since many toothpastes contain abrasives that can scratch the plastic surface.

When you’re done brushing all sides of the retainer, rinse it well with cool or lukewarm water afterward.

2. Soak in a Vinegar Solution

About once a week, give your retainer a deeper clean by soaking it.

A great natural sanitizer is plain white vinegar, since vinegar helps dissolve mineral deposits and kills bacteria.

• First, you’ll want to mix equal parts white vinegar and lukewarm water in a small bowl or cup, just enough to submerge the retainer.
• Then place your retainer in the solution and let it soak for 15-30 minutes.
• After soaking, brush the retainer gently with your soft brush to remove loosened debris, then rinse thoroughly with water.

Do this once a week (or even a couple of times a week) to keep your retainer sparkling fresh. It’s especially helpful if you notice any white chalky build-up (calcium) or slight odors.

3. Use Baking Soda Paste for Stain Removal

If your retainer is looking a little yellow or has stubborn plaque spots, baking soda can come to the rescue. Baking soda is a natural cleaner that also deodorizes.

• Make a paste using 1 part baking soda to 1 part water (it should be a toothpaste-like consistency).
• Using your soft toothbrush, apply the baking soda paste to the retainer and gently scrub. Focus on any visibly dirty areas. The mild abrasiveness of baking soda helps lift stains without scratching the plastic (it’s much gentler than toothpaste).
• After scrubbing, rinse the retainer very well to remove all the baking soda.

This method can be done occasionally, maybe every other week, for a nice polish. It’s also great if your retainer has developed a bit of a smell, as baking soda neutralizes odors.

One thing we want to mention is that if you use baking soda daily on a Hawley retainer that has metal soldered parts, it could possibly tarnish the metal.

4. Try Retainer or Denture Cleaning Tablets

There are over-the-counter retainer cleaning tablets that fizz in water and kill bacteria.

• To use these, fill a glass with warm (not hot!) water, drop in the tablet, and let it fully dissolve and fizz.
• Then place your retainer in and soak for the time recommended on the package (usually 10-15 minutes).
• After soaking, rinse off your retainer, and you’re done.

Alternatively, instead of a glass, you can use a sonic cleaner, which uses ultrasonic vibrations to deep clean dental devices. They can be effective for retainers with lots of crevices.

Either way, this method is easy and pretty convenient.

5. Rinse Whenever You Remove It

This isn’t a deep-clean method per se, but it’s a great habit: rinse your retainer under running water every time you take it out of your mouth. If you wear it nightly, rinse it in the morning. If you also wear it some during the day, rinse whenever you take a break.

Keeping Your Retainer (and Smile) Fresh

Now that you know how to clean a plastic retainer, let’s recap a simple routine to keep everything fresh:

• Daily: Upon removing the retainer, rinse it and gently brush with mild soap and soft brush. Rinse and store properly. Brush your teeth before putting the retainer back in to avoid trapping food/bacteria.
• Weekly: Do a 15-20 minute deep soak (vinegar solution or cleaning tablet) to disinfect and remove buildup. You can do this more often if your orthodontist recommended or if you notice buildup.

It’s also important to keep in mind that even with great care, retainers don’t last forever. Clear plastic retainers typically last 1-3 years before needing replacement, while Hawley retainers might last 5-10 years.

Need a replacement or an extra backup retainer? Dental Lab Direct has you covered. We offer custom orthodontic retainers (both clear and traditional Hawley styles) that you can order directly from us.

In just a few weeks, you’ll have a top-quality retainer at a fraction of the cost charged by offices. So check us out today!