How To Clean a Dirty Orthodontic Retainer from your Toronto Orthodontist

Credit for this post goes to our friends at Passamano Orthodontics in Irvine, California!

We’re going to show you how to clean a crusty orthodontic retainer, whether traditional wire and acrylic, or Invisalign / Vivera retainer.  If you’re actually wearing your retainers, it’s hard not to notice them becoming dirty; and you can’t brush that stuff off!  That’s because the calcium and other minerals in your saliva have attached themselves to your retainer similar to plaque/ calculus on your teeth.  It’s really easy to clean and very inexpensive too!

Let’s go …. Things you will need.

1. A Toothbrush (or Denture Brush we provide with your retainers)
2. White Vinegar from any market (You can use the 5% one that’s for food, this is the key ingredient)
3. Small Bowl and Warm Water

Directions.  Soak your Crusty Retainer in a warm bowl of half White Vinegar/half warm water for 20 minutes.   The vinegar will help break up the ‘barnacle‘ looking mineral deposit on your retainer.  Brush your retainer similar to your teeth.  Small little circles.  You probably will remove about 50-75% of the mineral-deposit.  Repeat the 20 minute soak and brush until it’s all gone.  You may soak it for longer periods of time if it’s extra crusty!

REMEMBER:  Many of our patients think that ONLY soaking your Invisalign or Retainers in Efferdent Cleaner will keep them clean.  This is false because you still need to manually debride and clean your retainers of the hidden minerals in your saliva.

If you have any questions, please stop by our Markham Orthodontist or Stouffville Orthodontist Facebook Pages and let us know!