What happens if you wear a dirty retainer?

If you get lazy and pop your retainer in and out without cleaning it on a daily basis, you’ll introduce germs and bacteria in your mouth that could threaten your oral health as well as your overall health. Just like your teeth, your retainers need to be diligently cleaned.

How many times should you clean your retainer?

Clean retainers thoroughly at least once a day preferably right before inserting them in your mouth. Use cold – not hot water. Rinsing your retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors. At least once every two weeks, soak your retainers in a denture cleaner, like Efferdent®, to thoroughly clean them.

What is the white buildup on my retainer?

The white layer is a buildup of calcium from your saliva. Plaque and tartar from your mouth stick to your retainer too if you’re not cleaning it on a regular basis. Fill a cup with vinegar and submerge your retainer. In a few minutes, brush the retainer thoroughly.

Can dirty retainers cause yellow teeth?

They can. In fact, many patients struggle with the yellowing of their retainers that can occur due to plaque buildup and staining from certain foods.

Should you brush your retainer every day?

Your retainer sits inside your mouth and against your teeth, so it quickly accumulates bacteria, plaque, and tartar. Just like you brush your teeth every day, it’s important to clean your retainer every day. Some people may even need to wear their retainers at night indefinitely to keep teeth in place.

What is the white stuff on my retainer?

How do you properly clean a retainer?

How to clean your retainer

1. Make sure you clean your retainer as soon as you remove it from your mouth, while it’s still wet.
2. Brush out your retainer with lukewarm water after each meal.
3. For a deeper clean, mix lukewarm water with mild dish soap (toothpastes are abrasive and can scratch the retainer’s surface).

Can you put retainers in mouthwash?

Some things to NEVER do to clean your retainer! Do NOT use toothpaste or anything abrasive; it will scratch your retainer, causing bacteria to build up and make it look cloudy. Never soak your retainer in mouthwash, rubbing alcohol, or bleach; the chemicals will distort it.

Is it OK to eat with a retainer?

Retainers are clean, as long as you regularly brush your teeth and do not eat when wearing a retainer. Retainer-cleaning solutions are bad for your retainer or teeth. Probiotics or other supplements will keep your mouth and retainer healthy, without cleaning.

Do I need to clean my retainer every day?

However, many retainer wearers go for long stretches of time without cleaning these devices. The same bacteria that build up on teeth can grow on a retainer. As a result, putting an unclean retainer in your mouth is like applying a bacteria and plaque-laden solution to the teeth and gums.

What happens if you put a retainer in your mouth?

The same bacteria that build up on teeth can grow on a retainer. As a result, putting an unclean retainer in your mouth is like applying a bacteria and plaque-laden solution to the teeth and gums. If people do not know how to clean retainers, there are a few simple solutions described here that can help.

How to clean a retainer without an ultrasonic cleaner?

If you don’t have an ultrasonic cleaner or the retainer still needs to be cleaned, take it to your dentist or orthodontist. They have special tools and solutions to clean the retainer thoroughly. If your retainer has visible plaque on it, gently brush it with a toothbrush, but don’t use toothpaste.