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How to Clean Retainers: 3 Best Ways to Keep Them Clean
Retainers play an essential role in maintaining your smile after orthodontic treatment. Knowing how to clean retainers properly helps prevent bacteria buildup, odour, stains, and long-term damage. While caring for retainers is similar to caring for aligners, there are a few key differences worth understanding.
This guide covers the best way to clean dental retainers, how often you should clean them, and what to do when you’re not wearing them.
Why Is It Important to Clean Retainers?
Keeping your retainers clean is crucial for good oral hygiene. Retainers sit in your mouth for hours at a time, making them a breeding ground for bacteria, plaque, and saliva if not cleaned properly. Just as you wouldn’t put a dirty object in your mouth, you shouldn’t wear unclean retainers.
Failing to clean retainers regularly may lead to:
- Bad breath
- Plaque and bacterial buildup
- Discolouration or cloudiness
- Increased risk of oral infections
How to Clean Retainers
The best way to clean dental retainers is a combination of:
1. Rinse After Every Use
The most basic step in how to clean orthodontic retainers is rinsing them every time you remove them. Rinse your retainers with lukewarm water as soon as you take them out, before saliva dries and hardens. This makes cleaning easier and prevents debris from sticking.
2. Soak Using a Retainer or Aligner Cleaner
One of the best ways to clean retainers is by soaking them daily in a specialised dental retainer cleaner or aligner cleaner.
- Soak your retainers in cleaning tablets for 10–15 minutes once a day
- This helps remove stains, bacteria, and odour
- It also helps maintain clarity and freshness
After soaking, rinse thoroughly with water before wearing them again.
3. Brush Gently
If you have fixed retainers and soaking is not an option for you:
- Use a soft-bristled brush to brush your retainers
- Floss your fixed retainers using a floss threader or superfloss
What Should You Do When You Are Not Wearing Your Retainers?
1. Store Retainers in a Case
When not wearing your retainers:
- Always place them in a protective case
- Never wrap them in tissue or napkins, as they may be thrown away accidentally
- A case also protects retainers from pets, who may chew on them
2. Let Them Dry Properly
Before storing:
- Make sure your retainers are clean and dry
- Avoid sealing wet retainers in airtight containers
- Moist environments encourage mould and bacterial growth
Use a container with airflow or allow them to air-dry fully.
3. Avoid Heat and Sunlight
Never leave retainers:
- In direct sunlight
- Near hot water
- Close to heat sources
Heat can cause plastic retainers to warp or melt, making them unusable.
4. Don’t Forget to Clean Your Retainer Case
Even if you clean your retainers daily, bacteria can accumulate inside the case. Wash your retainer case regularly using warm water and mild soap, and allow it to dry completely.
How Often Should You Clean Retainers?
- Rinse: Every time you remove them
- Soak: Once daily
- Deep clean & case cleaning: Once a week
Maintaining good cleaning habits can extend the lifespan of your retainers and support better oral hygiene overall.
Practising the best way to clean retainers helps prevent bacteria buildup, odour, and damage while keeping your smile on track. With daily rinsing, proper soaking using a dental retainer cleaner, and correct storage, your retainers can stay clean and effective for longer.
To learn more about our orthodontic solutions and how we can help you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile, visit our page.
