How To Clean Retainers With Baking Soda? – Is It Safe?

On a retainer, the same germs that accumulate on teeth can proliferate. Therefore, placing a dirty retainer in your mouth is equivalent to treating your teeth and gums with a bacteria- and plaque-filled solution.

By combining baking soda and water, you may make a paste that resembles toothpaste rather closely. You may use your toothbrush to scrub the whole surface of your retainer with this baking soda solution. Make sure to give your orthodontic appliance a thorough rinse after brushing it all.

Here are a few easy ways that may be used if you don’t know how to clean retainers with baking soda. Learning how to clean retainers properly is crucial, particularly if plaque accumulates.

How to clean retainers with baking soda?

Baking soda is the safest method for cleaning your retainer, which also works far better than store-bought cleaners.

By naturally balancing the mouth’s pH, baking soda can prevent the growth of harmful oral germs. Typically, the bacteria that cause problems in the mouth flourish in a more acidic environment. Baking soda fights this issue by neutralizing the mouth’s pH and rebalancing the oral microbiota.   Due to its higher pH, baking soda may also clean retainers.

Step-by-step process to clean via Baking Soda:

1. Your retainer must first be soaked in distilled water. Tap water should not be used as it may contain dangerous bacteria or minerals.

2. Make a paste by combining water and baking soda in equal amounts. The mixture is ready for use if it is moderately sticky.

3. Apply the baking soda paste with a gentle toothbrush in circular movements on your clear retainer.

4. When you’re done, rinse the remaining with warm water.

How to use white vinegar to clean your retainer?

An effective approach to prevent germs on your retainers is using vinegar. A mild disinfectant that can eliminate smells and residues is white vinegar. If using this advice, users might wish to clean their retainer outside because vinegar has a pungent fragrance. The smell of vinegar may also be diminished by using a throwaway dish.

Step-by-step process to clean via vinegar:

1. To clean a retainer with vinegar, you should prepare a combination of half white vinegar and half warm water in a small dish.
2. The retainer should then spend 20 minutes in the mixture.
3. You can clean the retainer with a gentle toothbrush if it is coated in a film or mineral deposits.
4. After rinsing with cold water, soak for another 20 minutes.

How to use water to clean your retainer?

While drinking lots of water throughout the day might help avoid bacterial development, water won’t clean a retainer. A retainer will be less likely to suffer damage if kept wet. Additionally, water prevents dry mouth, which is related to tooth decay.

Dry retainers are more vulnerable to damage. People shouldn’t permit this to occur, especially overnight. Instead, soak it in distilled water whenever a retainer is taken out.

Step-by-step process to clean via water:

1. Put your retainer in distilled water to soak it. 
2. Brush with a soft toothbrush to remove plaque.

Note: The retainer can be soaked in a wet paper towel overnight if it is unclean and cannot be cleaned easily.

Do’s & Don’ts while cleaning retainers

• Using toothpaste or anything else abrasive will scrape your retainer, allowing germs to collect and giving it a murky appearance.

• Never put your retainers in the dishwasher or boil them. They will lose their fit as a result of the plastic they are constructed.

• Avoid using denture tablets and cleansers that include persulfate, a frequent allergen. Retainers may also get discolored. Find something without this component if you can.

• Do not soak your retainers with mouthwash. The alcohol found in most mouthwash formulas dries out and harms retainers. Additionally, alcohol dries out the mouth, leading to cavities and poor breath.

Conclusion

It’s essential to keep your retainer fresh and odor-free, yet many common cleaning techniques might harm your retainer and oral microbiota. Never use substances like persulfate or hydrogen peroxide in your cleaning regimen. Bleach, hot water, and even ordinary toothpaste shouldn’t be used.

To keep your retainer clean, immerse it in distilled water, baking soda, or castile soap. Cleaning it at the dentist might also be effective.

Avoiding dangerous chemicals should make it easier for you to maintain your retainer for a very long time to come and, in the process, protect your oral health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)