When you have used the brace for hours, plaque and bacteria will build up on the appliance. This article explains how to use home products to keep your braces clean and to prevent them from smelling and looking dirty. Commercial dental braces may provide better results, as well as instructions for proper use..
Step
Method 1 of 5: Cleaning the Teeth Retainer with Vinegar Solution
Step 1. Rinse your braces with warm or cold water (don't use hot water)
Step 2. Place the tooth holder in a bowl large enough to hold it
Step 3. Pour the vinegar into the bowl until your tooth holder is completely submerged
Step 4. Leave it for 2 - 5 minutes
There's no need to wait any longer, as if it's too long, the vinegar will start to break down the plastic that holds the teeth together.
Step 5. Lift your tooth holder and brush gently with a toothbrush
Make sure to brush every dent, and clean the inside as well.
Step 6. Rinse your braces again with cold or warm water
Your retainer should now be clean and you can use it again.
Method 2 of 5: Clean the Retainer with Dentures and Toothpaste
Step 1. Rinse your retainer to remove any visible dirt
Use this method only once in a while, as it is very powerful. Repeated use of denture cleaners can cause the plastic that retains the teeth to turn yellow and their shape becomes curved.
Step 2. Place your retainer in a bowl, and fill it with denture cleaner so that it is completely submerged
Denture cleaners can be purchased without a prescription at most drugstores or pharmacies, and are available in cream, liquid, powder, or tablet form. As the name suggests, denture cleaners are primarily used to clean dentures, but they can also be used to clean dental braces.
Step 3. Let your braces soak in the cleaning liquid for 15 to 20 minutes, or according to the directions on the package
Check the instructions on the package to determine the recommended soaking time.
Step 4. Soak the retainer in a non-alcoholic mouthwash for between 30 to several hours
The longer you soak the better. Just make sure that you use a non-alcoholic mouthwash.
Mouthwash that contains alcohol can damage the plastic mold that holds the teeth in place. If what you have at home is an alcohol-based mouthwash, soak your braces for no more than 20 minutes
Step 5. Remove the retainer after the recommended time and rinse
Your holder should now be clean and ready to use again!
Method 3 of 5: Cleaning the Retainer with Baking Soda
Step 1. Make a paste of baking soda and distilled water
Add baking soda and 1:1 distilled water to make a paste. A paste with this composition should resemble toothpaste with a very light consistency.
Step 2. Use a toothbrush to apply the baking soda paste to the tooth holder and brush thoroughly
Brush the retaining teeth with the baking soda paste as if you were brushing them with toothpaste.
Baking soda is a very effective natural cleanser. Baking soda in particular raises the pH of the mouth, making it more alkaline. The bacteria that live in the braces usually prefer an acidic environment, so baking soda will make a very effective bacterial cleaner
Step 3. Rinse off the baking soda paste and put your teeth back on as fresh as new
Method 4 of 5: Cleaning the Tooth Retainer with Olive Oil Soap
Step 1. Prepare an olive oil based soap
Olive oil soap is gentler than other types of soap, as it is based on olive oil and coconut oil for the most part. Olive oil soap or also called Castile Soap is named after the Castile region in Spain. This soap will clean your teeth braces without putting them in contact with stronger and more dangerous compounds.
Step 2. Dissolve a little olive oil soap in warm water
There may not be any foam, as this soap is much gentler than regular soap, but trust me it will clean your teeth braces.
Step 3. Soak the retainer in the olive oil soap solution and brush it off with a toothbrush
Try to provide a special toothbrush for brushing with this soap. While this soap is gentle and probably won't cause any problems if swallowed, it's best if you don't use the toothbrush you normally use for this olive oil soap.
Step 4. Rinse off the remaining soap solution and reuse your brace as directed
Method 5 of 5: Clean the Teeth Retainer from Bacteria
Step 1. Mix a small amount of mild antibacterial detergent in a bowl of warm water
Mix until it starts to foam.
Step 2. Soak the tooth holder in soapy water and gently brush to remove dirt with a special toothbrush
Rinse after your retainer is completely clean.
Step 3. Place the brace in a small bowl and thoroughly soak it in isopropyl alcohol
If you don't have alcohol on hand, you can use Listerine or another mouthwash that is also alcohol-based. Just make sure not to soak your braces in alcohol for too long. The maximum time to soak the braces in alcohol is 20 minutes.
Step 4. Rinse the retainer under running water
Try to clean all the remaining alcohol from the tooth holder.
Step 5. Soak the brace in a small bowl of distilled water for 10 minutes
The process is carried out to ensure that your retainer is free of residual alcohol before you use it again.
Tips
- Clean your dental braces well at least once a day to keep them clean and free of plaque and bacteria buildup.
- Always rinse your retainer after removing it. Dry saliva will cause tartar build-up on your tooth holders. Remove the retainer and rinse in warm water before you eat.
- You can use a toothbrush to clean your retainers with baking soda every now and then to remove odors. Note that baking soda is abrasive and using it regularly can damage your teeth. The price of dental braces is usually between 1 to 3 million rupiah.
- You should use a soft toothbrush and a small amount of non-abrasive toothpaste to clean most of the retainers. (Note that the toothbrush can scratch the clear Invisalign or Essix holder).
- If you are unable to clean your retainer, contact your dentist. Your retainer may need to be professionally cleaned using an ultrasonic device. If your retainer is covered with so much tartar that the appliance can't clean it either, then you will need to buy a new brace.
- Dry gently with a towel.
Warning
- Mouthwash that contains alcohol can cause damage to some types of dental braces made of plastic. It is not recommended to use this type of mouthwash except only occasionally to refresh your dental braces.
- Do not try to use a variety of cleaners or whiteners on your braces. These products are harmful if swallowed and may damage the metal or adhesive that holds your teeth in place.
- Do not place your braces in the dishwasher or immerse them in hot water, as the plastic will melt and warp. Use warm water and be careful when cleaning.
- Do not use denture cleaning tablets regularly. These cleaners are too strong to clean the retainer and will cause the plastic or adhesive to turn a yellowish color.
- Don't wrap your braces in tissue or handkerchiefs as they will stick together, and may look like used tissue so you accidentally throw them away.
