How to clean a retainer

Daily cleaning

Healthline says to clean the retainer as soon as you take it out, while it is still wet, and to rinse or brush it after meals, using lukewarm water and mild dish soap with a soft toothbrush or denture brush. For clear plastic retainers it suggests a cotton swab to reach the deepest grooves. Cleveland Clinic says to clean at least once a day and to brush removable retainers with antibacterial soap and water, and the AAO says to clean daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and water, since bacteria can grow on a dirty retainer. Healthline's guide to retainers after braces says to rinse with lukewarm water each time you take it out and keep it wet so food does not harden on it.

Should you use toothpaste?

Sources differ. Healthline's page on cleaning retainers says to skip toothpaste because it is abrasive, and its page on retainers after braces says to use a non-abrasive toothpaste once a day because some toothpastes can scratch the plastic. Cleveland Clinic says to avoid harsh toothpastes. If your orthodontist recommends a particular paste, use that; otherwise mild soap is the safest choice.

Deep cleaning and soaking

The AAO says to soak weekly in a retainer-cleaning solution to prevent build-up. Healthline says to ask your dentist before soaking, and that if they approve you can dissolve one denture or retainer cleaning tablet in a cup of lukewarm water and follow the package timing, or use equal parts mouthwash and lukewarm water for a quick freshening soak. Cleveland Clinic says to use an effervescent cleanser only if your provider says it is safe, and to scrub yellowing gently with baking soda and a soft toothbrush. Take stubborn tartar to your dentist or orthodontist, Healthline says, who have special solutions.

What to avoid

Heat is the main risk, and it appears in every source.

• Hot or boiling water, microwaves, dishwashers, washers, dryers and car dashboards, which can warp the retainer.
• Bleach and alcohol, which the AAO says can damage it.
• Frequent soaks in alcohol-based mouthwash, which Healthline says can harm plastic.
• Long soaks for Hawley retainers, which Healthline says can corrode the metal.
• Abrasive toothpaste or hard brushes that can scratch the surface.

Cleaning a fixed retainer

For a bonded wire, Healthline says to floss around it with a floss threader and angle your toothbrush vertically and horizontally to remove plaque and food, and the AAO says to brush around the wire and use floss or a similar tool. Because plaque and tartar can build up, regular dental cleanings matter.

Storage and handling

Store removable retainers in their case when not in use, away from heat and pets. Healthline says to clean the case daily with warm, soapy water, rinse it and pat it dry, and not to leave a retainer on a napkin where it could end up in the trash. Cleveland Clinic says to keep it away from heat and pets, and to brush and floss your teeth before inserting it.

Do ultrasonic cleaners and tablets work?

None of the sources we read covers ultrasonic cleaners. Healthline says a study found cleaning tablets reduced bacteria no more than brushing, though they did help with strep-type bacteria, so brushing remains the main method. Ask your orthodontist whether a tablet or other device is worth using.

How to get a new retainer

If yours is lost, cracked or no longer fits, see your orthodontist promptly. The AAO says replacement retainers may cost extra beyond the initial treatment fee, and that insurance coverage varies, so ask before you need one.

Frequently asked questions