Dirt, bacteria, and fungus in the mouth will accumulate on the retainer if cleaning is neglect. This may cause the retainer to change color and have an unpleasant odor, as well as lead to oral infections. Therefore, it is important to clean it regularly using the correct method that is appropriate for each type of retainers.
Retainers are dental tools use to keep teeth from moving back to their original positions after orthodontic treatment. Therefore, in order for retainers to be clean, in good condition, and last as long as possible and perform as effectively as before, it is necessary for them to be properly care for. To find out how to do this, ยูฟ่าเบท has some methods for storing retainers for you in this article.
Common problems in retainer maintenance
- Plaque Buildup: Plaque can build up on your retainer quickly, especially if it’s not clean regularly. This plaque can cause bad breath or other oral health problems.
- Tartar buildup: Tartar is a hard deposit forme by a buildup of minerals in saliva. Tartar can stick to your retainer, making it harder to clean and potentially irritating your gums.
- Damage: Retainers can be damag if they are not properly care for, including over-cleaning and improper storage.
- Loss: Retainers can be lost if they are not kept properly, especially when wrappe in tissue. This can lead to forgetting and losing them, which can result in the cost of replacing the retainer.
How to properly care for your retainer
- After removing it, clean any dirt on the retainer immediately because if left for a long time, it may become more difficult to clean.
- Cleaning the retainer should be done by washing it in normal temperature water. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gently brush with toothpaste.
- Cleaning by soaking in denture cleaning tablets or in diluted vinegar in case of tartar buildup.
- Important: Do not scald the retainer with hot water, as this can cause it to deform, or soak it in mouthwash for a long time, which will not be good for the retainer, as mouthwash often contains alcohol, which can damage the plastic sheet of the retainer.
- Store retainers properly, out of reach of children and pets.
- When the teeth are stable and the retainer is worn only when sleeping, after removing and cleaning, put the retainer in a glass of water or put it in a seale box with a cotton swab soak in water inside.
- If the retainers is damag, you must quickly take it to the dentist to check. If it can be repaire or if it is lost. You must quickly make a new one because the retainers is a device that all braces wearers must wear continuously for a period of time.
The retainers box is also an important part! You can clean it by using water and general soap, rinse thoroughly and wipe dry. You should not wrap the retainers in tissue, put it in your bag. Or leave it on the dining table because you might forget about it or hit it until it breaks or cracks. You should put it in a sturdy box.