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There are those who see retainers as an annoyance, something to get through for a year and then put out of their minds. However, it is not true! Retainers are an essential component of dental care, preventing your teeth from sliding back into their natural locations. But if you've been making sure to wear your retainer every day, you may have noticed that it's starting to smell bad over time.
Bacteria and plaque may build up on the retainer, and when combined with saliva, it produces an unpleasant odor. Thankfully, you can get rid of the bacteria that's stinking up your retainer by giving it a thorough cleaning. Find out how often you should clean your retainer and how to do it right.
The Important Role Of Your Retainer
Your retainer's job is clearly stated in its name: Its goal is to assist your teeth to stay in their new positions. You want to do all in your power to keep your newly improved grin and bite balanced, which you've worked on for months, if not years, to achieve.
Aligners and braces do more than merely adjust your teeth, they also shift the roots. And once those roots are in their new places, they need further assistance to settle and stabilize. This is where a retainer may assist:
In the months after treatment, the jawbone reshapes itself around the root of the tooth, strengthening it to endure biting and chewing forces. During the first phase, you will wear your retainer for most of the day. As your teeth are stable, you'll be able to wear your retainer less often, but you'll probably want to wear it on alternative nights.
What Causes a Retainer to Smell?
You may be surprised to learn that your mouth is teeming with beneficial microorganisms, despite your belief to the contrary. Bacteria produce gas as a byproduct of their growth. This is one reason why your retainer gives off that unpleasant odor and causes foul breath.
The buildup of tartar and plaque on your teeth and retainer is also facilitated by germs. The retainer will acquire a distinct odor if plaque is allowed to build up on it. Not something you should ingest. With regular care, you can help lower the chance of growth and keep the smell away.
Causes of Bad Odor
1. The Growth of Bacteria
There are many kinds of bacteria in your mouth, and when you wear a retainer, these bacteria can move to the surface of it. Bacteria can grow on your retainer over time, which can cause it to smell bad.
2. Food Particles
People who wear retainers while they eat are more likely to get food stuck in them. These particles give off a bad smell when they break down.
3. Poor Cleaning Habits
Insufficient cleaning of your retainer allows bacteria, plaque, and food particles to thrive, leading to an odor problem.
4. The Buildup of Plaque
Just like your teeth, if you don't clean your braces properly, plaque can build up on them. This plaque can hold germs, which can make the smell worse.
5. Retainer Material
Some retainer materials, such as plastic or acrylic, are more porous and can absorb odors more easily than others.
6. Not Letting The Retainer Dry
Placing your retainer somewhere damp can cause germs to grow, which will give it a bad smell.
7. Smoking
If you smoke or use tobacco products while your retainer is on, it may pick up and hold on to the smell.
Understanding Your Retainer
Cleaning Varies By Type
Caring for your retainer starts with identifying which kind you have. There are three types of retainers:
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Fixed (Bonded) Retainers
Also called permanent retainers, these are attached to your lower front teeth. They are used if there is a high risk of teeth shifting and cannot be removed. They typically stay in place for months or even years.
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Hawley Retainers
Molded out of acrylic to fit your mouth, these retainers have a wire that helps hold them in place. They are removable, making them easy to clean.
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Clear Plastic Retainers
Clear plastic retainers are quickly gaining popularity as a preferred choice. Resembling clear aligners, these modern retainers are crafted from thin, clear plastic that fits snugly over your teeth. Customized and removable, they are often considered by orthodontists to be highly effective in maintaining your teeth-aligned position.
Retainer Cleaning Guide
Cleaning Hawley and Clear Plastic Retainers:
Both Hawley and clear plastic retainers are removable, making it easier to maintain their cleanliness. Follow these steps to keep them in top condition:
- Immediate Rinse: Rinse your retainer as soon as you take it out of your mouth while it’s still moist. This helps remove debris before it hardens.
- Regular Brushing: After every meal, brush your retainer using lukewarm water. This is also a good time to brush your teeth.
- Thorough Cleaning: For a more intense cleaning, mix lukewarm water with a small amount of mild dish soap. Avoid toothpaste, as it can scratch the retainer. Use a soft-bristled brush or a denture brush to clean your retainer gently.
- Cleaning Small Areas: If necessary, use a cotton swab to clean the smallest grooves and ridges in clear plastic retainers.
- Soaking: Consult your dentist about occasionally soaking your retainer in a cleaner like Efferdent or Polident. If recommended, dissolve a cleaning tablet in a cup of lukewarm water and follow the directions on the package.
- Handling Stubborn Debris: If any buildup remains on your retainer after cleaning, take it to your dentist or orthodontist for a professional cleaning solution.
Caring for Fixed (Bonded) Retainers:
For fixed retainers, maintaining cleanliness requires daily flossing. Here’s how to do it:
- Floss Threading: Start with a 6-inch piece of floss and use a floss threader to guide it between your two front lower teeth.
- Flossing Process: Hold one end of the floss with your fingers, and with the help of the threader, slide the floss under the retainer wire. Gently move it up and down between your teeth, reaching below the gum line.
- Cleaning Each Tooth: Slide the floss sideways to the next section, pull it down between your teeth, and repeat for all teeth connected to the retainer.
- Cleaning Each Tooth: If you’re struggling with flossing, your dentist or orthodontist can offer guidance and tips to improve your technique.
Removable Retainer Care Tips
- Avoid Heat Damage: High temperatures can warp your retainer, so keep it away from hot water, microwaves, dishwashers, and other heat sources. Use only lukewarm water for cleaning.
- Limit Chemical Use: Harsh chemicals aren’t necessary for cleaning. Regular brushing is typically sufficient, though occasional use of cleaning tablets can help eliminate bacteria like Streptococcus. Use these sparingly.
- Controlled Soaking: When using cleaning tablets, don’t soak your retainer longer than the recommended time, especially for Hawley retainers, as prolonged soaking can damage the metal parts. For a quick refresh, you can soak your retainer in a mixture of mouthwash and lukewarm water, but avoid long soaks in alcohol-based mouthwash.
- Keep the Case Clean: Don’t forget to clean your retainer case regularly. Wash it with warm, soapy water, rinse it well, and let it dry.
- Handle with Care: Keep your retainer out of reach of pets and always place it somewhere safe while eating—never on a napkin, as it could easily be discarded by mistake.
- Replace When Needed: Retainers are subject to wear and tear. Essix retainers usually last from six months to a few years, while Hawley retainers can last 5 to 10 years with proper care. If your retainer shows signs of heavy wear, becomes particularly dirty, or doesn't fit correctly, it’s time to consult your orthodontist for a replacement.
Is Toothpaste a Good Option for Cleaning Retainers?
Using toothpaste to clean your retainer is generally not recommended. While it is effective for cleaning your teeth, it isn’t suitable for your retainers. Toothpaste often contains abrasive ingredients designed to clean the hard enamel of your teeth, which can handle the pressure. However, these same abrasives can damage the more delicate materials of your retainer, leading to scratches and potential wear.
When cleaning something that will go back into your mouth, it's better to use milder options, such as baking soda. Strong chemicals found in some cleaning products can be absorbed by the retainer, making it more brittle and less effective over time.
Don’t Forget Your Retainer Case
Most retainer users also use a retainer case, and more often than not, we store our retainers in their case without first cleaning them. By doing this, the germs on your retainer get transferred to the case. Many times, your retainer case contains more germs than the retainer does.
Bacteria will keep growing on your case if you don't clean it every day, and they will move to your retainer every time you use it. Daily cleaning of your case is important; for thorough cleaning, at least once a week you could run it in the dishwasher. This keeps your retainer smelling fresh and helps to lower the bacterial count on it.
Final Thoughts
Food particles, bacterial development, plaque formation, and other elements might all help to explain the smell in your retainer. Good cleaning and storing techniques are extremely vital for keeping a retainer smelling fresh. To keep your retainer fresh-smelling, try using cleaning tablets specifically designed for retainers, gentle dish soap, or a vinegar soak. Don't forget that a clean retainer not only protects your teeth but also keeps your smile dazzling.
FAQs
1. Why does my retainer smell bad?
Your retainer can develop a bad smell due to the buildup of bacteria, plaque, and food particles. Poor cleaning habits and improper storage can also contribute to the odor.
2. How often should I clean my retainer to prevent odors?
You should clean your retainer daily, preferably as soon as you remove it from your mouth. Regular cleaning helps prevent the buildup of bacteria and plaque that can cause unpleasant odors.
3. Can I use toothpaste to clean my retainer?
It's not recommended to use toothpaste to clean your retainer, as it can be too abrasive and damage the retainer's material. Instead, use lukewarm water, mild dish soap, or retainer cleaning tablets.
4. How can I keep my retainer case clean and odor-free?
Clean your retainer case daily with warm, soapy water, and consider running it through the dishwasher once a week for a deep clean. This helps prevent bacteria from transferring to your retainer.
