Why does my retainer smell

Take it to your dentist. If your retainers need to be disinfected, or you feel like it has more buildup than normal, you should take them to your dentist. Your dentist has an ultrasonic cleaner and special cleaning solutions that can disinfect the retainers and remove any buildup without the use of toxic chemicals.

Plain, distilled water is all you need, but the following tips can ramp up your bacteria-fighting efforts. Baking soda is not only the safest way to clean your retainer, but it also does a far better job than the retainer cleansers you will find at the supermarket. Baking soda can stabilise the pH of the mouth naturally, which keeps the bacteria that cause problems in the mouth at bay.

Likewise, baking soda can also disinfect retainers by virtue of its higher pH. Retainers and other dental devices start to smell like rotten fruit after a while, and baking soda is a natural, safe, and effective deodoriser.

Used regularly, it will definitely keep the stink away. I keep a stainless steel parmesan cheese shaker filled with baking soda on my bathroom counter so I can easily add a few shakes to my distilled water container. Fortunately, castile soap is an effective and safe way to achieve that same freshness—simply add a squirt or two of castile soap to the water you soak the retainer in.

The main ingredients of castile soap are olive oil and coconut oil. This means it can do a wonderful job of cleaning and moisturising your retainer without exposing it—or you—to harmful substances like persulfate. Try to avoid these oils, or, at the very least, rinse the retainer thoroughly before putting it back in your mouth. Using white vinegar as a minute soak once a week or so will keep your retainer clean and disinfected.

Make sure to thoroughly rinse your retainer after the vinegar soak, and then place it in a stainless steel container with distilled water. Stay away from this method.

If you remember nothing else from this article, remember this: You should never use hydrogen peroxide as a cleaner for your retainer! Now that your teeth have been successfully adjusted into their ideal alignment, your braces can be removed.

Unfortunately, your teeth will not stay in their new positions by themselves. This means you need to keep it safe and clean. Here are some tips to help you clean your orthodontic retainer and keep it from getting damaged. There are two basic types of removable retainers. In order to keep that bacteria in check, you need to make sure you are removing all hidden food particles that the bacteria feed on. This means brushing after every meal and flossing at least once a day is very important.

While you may not be able to find hidden food particles between your teeth, the bacteria can! Just like on your teeth, plaque, tartar, and bacteria can build up on the surface of your retainer. This build-up contributes to the bad smell you may experience. While brushing and flossing your teeth are important to keep these things in check, regular cleaning of your retainer is also important.

People should clean their retainer, by gently brushing with a soft-bristled brush, every time they brush their teeth. A more extensive cleaning should be done once a week. White spots could be mineral buildup tartar , plaque that causes cavities in teeth, or a combination of the two.

Another sign that a retainer needs cleaning is it keeps breaking or cracking. Just as bacteria can damage the teeth, they can also damage a retainer. If someone suddenly begins getting cavities, tooth sensitivity, or other oral health problems, there may be a problem with their retainer.

If this occurs, they should review proper retainer care with their dentist or orthodontist, and ask them to check the retainer fits properly. Some people also believe that brushing a retainer will scratch it. It is true that some retainers should not be brushed, but if someone has permission from their dentist, brushing is fine.

People often use teeth straightening retainers after having braces to keep their teeth in place. Learn more about teeth retainers here. Eight tips for cleaning a retainer When to clean a retainer Retainer cleaning myths We include products we think are useful for our readers. Eight tips for cleaning a retainer. Share on Pinterest A soft-bristled toothbrush should be used when brushing the retainer and it should be removed and rinsed after.

Share on Pinterest Baking soda can be used as a disinfectant that can control bacteria without harming the mouth. When to clean a retainer. Retainer cleaning myths. Share on Pinterest A dentist should be consulted before a retainer is brushed. Latest news Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes.