Maintaining the proper alignment of the teeth after going through an orthodontic treatment is done with aligners and retainers. Still, because they are in the mouth for extended hours, they’re exposed to a lot of bacteria, shrines, and food patches. This warrants the need for proper cleaning and conservation to help abrasion, foul odors, and implicit oral health issues.
This guide provides details about cleaning aligners or retainers, the recommended frequency for cleaning, and effective home cleaning methods.
Why Is Cleaning Your Aligners or Retainers Important?
Bacteria and plaque find their homes in the aligners as well as in the retainers, just like they do in teeth. This becomes one of the reasons they serve as optimal places for many microorganisms that ignite lousy breath, gum diseases, and even infections, particularly when they are not regularly cleaned. With time, a dirty retainer or aligner can also get stained and start smelling badly. Proper cleaning ensures the teeth remain clear, fresh, and sufficiently effective in maintaining the proper dental alignment.
Types of Retainers
Before diving into the cleaning process, an individual needs to know the type of retainer they use because the cleaning system may differ significantly.
Hawley Retainers:
Removable retainers are made from acrylic and metal wires around your teeth.
Clear Plastic Retainers:
These types of retainers are also known as Essix or Vivera retainers. They are made of clear plastic and resemble aligners significantly.
Fixed Retainers:
These are permanently attached to the back of your teeth, and hence aren’t suitable to be detached.
Types of Aligners
Typically, retainers are a device that maintains the position of teeth after they have been moved via orthodontic treatment whereas with clear aligners the patient is fitted with them specifically to move the teeth into alignment. One of the main clear aligners is:
FirstClass Aligners:
FirstClass Aligners are designed for effective and easy repositioning of teeth to their clinically correct positions, while being easier to maintain.
Each type of retainer and aligners thus needs proper cleaning to prevent microbial accumulation, discoloration, and odors.
How to Clean Aligners or Retainers at Home
1. Cleaning Hawley and Clear Plastic Retainers
Cleaning Hawley and clear plastic aligners is more manageable for individuals because they have the significant advantage of being removable. Some simple steps to follow are:
Daily Cleaning Routine:
- Wash Immediately: Right after removing your retainer, let it go under warm water so that the debris doesn’t become stiff.
- Brush Gently: Drop your retainer in a mild dish cleaner and scrub it using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Don’t scrub them with toothpaste, as abrasive fragile rudiments in the toothpaste may cause retainers to become vulnerable and get damaged.
- Use a Cotton Swab: In case of very deep grooves in your aligners or retainers, remove any trapped debris with the cotton swab.
- Washing Again: Wash your retainer with water to ensure it’s clean before putting it back in your mouth.
Deep Cleaning:
- Denture Cleaner: Individuals may use Polident or Efferdent denture-cleaning solution to occasionally clean their retainer by dipping them in it for a few minutes.
- Vinegar solution: An individual might make a mix that is equivalent amounts of white vinegar and water. Soak the retainer in that solution for 15 to 20 minutes, and then brush and rinse.
- Baking Soda Paste: Mix baking soda and water and create a paste island. Treat your retainer or aligner with that paste with the help of a toothbrush. The user can utilize this approach to perform gentle brushing on the retainer.
- Hydrogen Peroxide Mix: Individuals can use hydrogen peroxide-water solution to clean aligners or retainers. A solution made of 50% hydrogen peroxide and 50% water will kill the bacteria and odors from the retainer.
2. Cleaning Fixed (Bonded) Retainers
Since fixed retainers permanently stick to your teeth, individuals must floss them because it is the only sufficient cleaning method.
- Floss Properly: Put a floss threader between your teeth and under the wire of the retainer.
- Be Gentle While Flossing: Fluently advance floss between adjacent teeth from top to bottom to clean the gum line area successfully.
- Rinse thoroughly: Rinse with water or antibacterial mouthwash until no debris remains.
- Interdental brushing: An interdental brush allows you to improve oral hygiene since it removes debris from around the wire and between teeth.
By following these ways to clean aligners or retainers, you can ensure they remain free from bacteria and last longer.
How Often to Clean Aligners or Retainers
Proper cleaning techniques should be practiced to maintain appropriate hygiene alongside effective cleaning.
- Daily Cleaning: It includes brushing and rinsing your aligners or retainers at least one time daily.
- After Every Meal: Rinse your aligner or retainer in lukewarm water after meals.
- Weekly Deep Cleaning: Soak your retainer in a cleaning solution at least once a week.
- Inspect Regularly: Check your retainer regularly for accumulation or any sort of buildup that causes damage or visible signs of deterioration because professional maintenance might be necessary, depending on your findings.
Do’s and Don’ts of Retainer Care
Do’s:
- Use a case to keep the Retainer: Whenever the retainer is not in use, make sure to keep it in an orthodontic retainer case.
- Use Lukewarm Water: Using lukewarm water for washing the aligners and the retainers is a safer option than hot water since hot water has the potential to damage the retainer.
- Clean the Case Regularly: An individual must rinse and clean the retention case regularly as bacteria multiplication continues when the case is left uncleaned.
- Visit your dentist regularly: Keep your aligner and retainer routinely checked by a dentist as part of regular checkups to verify their maintenance condition.
- Handle with Care: One should take great care in handling retainers and aligners since these are exceptionally delicate, and rough handling could lead to breakage.
Don’ts:
- Do not use harsh chemicals: Alcohol or detergent should be kept far from the retainer because these chemicals can damage its structure.
- Do not use toothpaste: You must not apply toothpaste because ordinary toothpaste contains abrasion agents that are harmful to the surfaces of retainer and aligners.
- Keep away from extreme temperatures: Retainers should be kept away from heat and direct sunlight, boiling water, and dishwashers.
- Be careful while using napkins: Using napkins to place your retainer during meals is dangerous since accidental disposal could happen when throwing the napkins.
- Avoid soaking for prolonged periods: Soaking your retainers in diluted mouthwash is accepted occasionally. However, you should never keep them immersed for extended periods because alcohol-based solutions can harm the plastic material.
Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Retainer or Aligner
As time passes, it can deteriorate your retainer or aligner to the point of needing replacement. The following indicators show you require a replacement device:
- Cracks or Breaks: Small cracks in your retainer or aligners will lead to an improper fitting.
- Persistent Odor or Discoloration: Get rid of your current appliance and choose a fresh set of retainers or aligners when discoloration or odors become unmanageable.
- Loose or Warped Fit: Your orthodontist should inspect the aligner or retainer that no longer provides a tight fit and replace it with a new one.
- Sharp Edges or Irritation: Irritation and sharp edges that develop from wearing your retainer or aligners signal potential damage to them.
Additional Tips for Keeping Your Retainer Fresh and Clean
- Drink Plenty of Water: The best way to avoid bacterial growth on your retainer and aligner is by staying properly hydrated.
- Avoid Sugary and Acidic Foods: Consume neither sugar nor acid-based foods since these substances encourage bacterial growth and can damage aligners and retainers.
- Use a Retainer Cleaning Spray: Some orthodontic sprays exist to kill bacteria and provide immediate freshening to your aligner and retainer.
- Don’t share your retainer: Sharing your retainer is forbidden since it means passing both bacteria and infections to others.
Conclusion
Proper cleaning of aligners or retainers during and after the precise aligner therapy stands as an indispensable practice for maintaining oral hygiene. Following correct cleaning methods coupled with being consistent with that approach will provide you with a retainer that remains germ-free and odorless while extending its service life. Whether an individual possesses a hawley, clear plastic, or fixed retainer, they should clean it daily, soak it periodically. This will keep aligners strong and chemicals away. Also, remember to replace your retainer when due and consult your doctor for any personalized advice. If taken care of well, your retainer will maintain your beautiful smile for many years.
