Keeping your teeth and gums clean is always important, but with the popularity of Invisalign growing every year, you need to learn how to clean your Invisalign retainers.
Orthodontic appliances like clear aligners can easily collect harmful bacteria and become a strong magnet for food/plaque debris. This can lead to bad breath, make your teeth look dirty, and can affect the quality of your oral health. It is important to keep them clean so they can do what they're designed to do: to keep your teeth in the proper position while looking invisible.
Signs it is Time to Clean Your Retainer
If you happen to notice your retainer looks different from when you first got it, it is a good sign the retainer needs a good cleaning. Other signs your clear aligner needs to be cleaned are:
- A bad smell from your retainer
- A bad taste when you wear your Invisalign
- Stained or cloudy appearance
- You haven't cleaned your retainer recently
How to Clean Your Invisalign Retainer
Clean your Invisalign retainer just as you would a plastic retainer.
To keep your clear aligner trays clean:
- Always remove your clear aligner trays when eating.
- Rinse them thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- Clean them daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild soap detergent.
- Avoid toothpaste as it can be too abrasive and damage your aligners.
- Soak aligners for a short period of time in a denture cleaner or retainer cleaner.
- Rinse again with water and insert aligners into the mouth.
How Often Should You Clean an Invisalign Retainer?
Clean your retainer just as you would your teeth to keep your mouth in tip top shape. Clean your retainer daily in the morning and at night.
For people with clear aligners, you may want to brush them during the day to keep them clean and give a clear, natural appearance.
Best Invisalign Retainer Cleaning Products
You have invested much time and money into Invisalign so being on top of your aligners cleanliness is important. Use the proper cleaning materials to avoid damaging your aligners and maintaining them for the duration of your treatment.
1. Baking soda mix: Baking soda is a great, natural disinfectant for retainers and can even help whiten retainers that become discolored or stained.
2. Denture cleaner: A denture cleaner is a popular option for cleaning retainers because it is designed for other oral appliances and it is super affordable. If you opt for a denture cleaner, soak your aligners for 20 minutes and remember to thoroughly rinse them before use.
3. Vinegar: Diluted white vinegar can help remove odors and stains and is easily accessible. It is a good option to help preserve aligners because it won't distort the Invisalign trays.
Remember to avoid harmful cleaning products like household disinfectants or microwaves and dishwashers because they can distort or damage your retainers. Also, if you choose to soak your aligners, opt for an alcohol-free mouthwash because alcohol is harmful to delicate plastic retainers.