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Retainers are a must when it comes to keeping your teeth aligned forever. Your orthodontist can best recommend the type of retainers to help you retain your tooth. It depends on the severity of the case and an individual's personal preferences. But over time, your retainers can develop an unpleasant smell due to various factors. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the factors that lead to the unpleasant smell of retainers. Moreover, learn step-by-step solutions that help to keep your retainers clean and odor-free.
Why do Retainers Smell?
Retainers are orthodontic devices that are prone to developing odors due to the following reasons:
Bacteria and Plaque Buildup
Just like any other orthodontic device, retainers are a breeding ground for bacteria. When you do not clean your device properly on a regular basis, it can lead to bacterial and plaque accumulation. It eventually leads to a foul odor.
Food Residue
Tiny food particles left behind in retainers can be one of the reasons that cause retainers to smell. These particles can break down over time, causing bad breath.
Improper Storage
Any of the dental devices, including retainers, must be stored well. In case an individual fails to store their retainers properly, it may catch environmental bacteria. This further results in bad odor in retainers.
Poor Oral Care
Another common reason for bad odors in retainers is when an individual fails to keep their device clean. Retainers or any other dental gadgets require daily cleaning to keep them away from bad odors. Without proper cleaning, retainers can develop a smell over time.
Step-By-Step Solutions for Smelly Retainers
Daily Cleaning
Follow a daily cleaning routine and keep your devices stain and odor-free.
Rinse with Water
To ensure that your retainers do not get bad odors, rinse them before and after every use. Put them under lukewarm water to wash away any overlying bacteria or food particles.
Use a Toothbrush
Clean your retainers with the help of a soft-bristled toothbrush. Make sure that the bristles of the brush are not hard as they may cause scratches to your device.
Use a Non-abrasive Toothpaste
For thorough cleaning, apply a non-abrasive toothpaste on your toothbrush. Move your toothbrush in a circular motion to remove all the debris and underlying bacteria on the clear retainers.
Deep Cleaning Options
Apart from daily cleaning, individuals can deep clean their devices with the following options.
Cleaning Tablets
Retainer cleaning tablets that can be bought over the counter are very simple to use and quite efficient. Just put your retainer in a cup of lukewarm water, dissolve a tablet in it, and let it soak for ten to fifteen minutes. This can kill microorganisms and get rid of bad odors. After soaking, make sure to give your retainer a good rinse.
White Vinegar Solution
White vinegar is known as a natural disinfectant that works wonders on dental devices. Add vinegar to lukewarm water. Keep an equal quantity of both in a cup and soak your retainers for 15 - 30 minutes. The solution will help to deep clean your device, removing any debris or bacteria and keeping it safe from producing foul odors.
Baking Soda Paste
Create a mixture of baking soda and water and apply the paste to your retainers. Baking soda has natural properties to neutralize odors and effectively remove plaque buildup. Apply the paste to your device with the help of a soft-bristled brush. Make sure to gently scrub and avoid brushing harshly, as it may scratch your device.
Maintain Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene plays an essential role in the overall well-being of an individual. Maintaining your oral hygiene throughout your teeth straightening journey or retention phase not only helps to keep your dental health intact. But it also helps with maintaining your dental gadget throughout the journey. By brushing twice a day, flossing, and incorporating mouthwash into your routine, you can perfectly maintain your oral hygiene.
Proper Storage of Retainers
If you are not wearing your retainers, you must store them in their case. Retainers come along with a well-ventilated container for storage. Keeping them in a storage container not only helps with keeping them bacteria-free but also reduces the chances of damage.
Recap
Retainers are an essential device to keep your newly aligned teeth in place. There is a high risk of an orthodontic relapse, which is why retainers are included as a post-care treatment. Individuals can opt for the type of retainer that best suits them according to preference and case complexity. During the retention phase, it is extremely important to maintain the hygiene of your device. In case an individual fails to maintain their retainers, they become smelly over time. Follow the simple solutions mentioned in this guide to keep your retainer odor-free.
FAQs
1. Why do my retainers smell?
In case an individual fails to clean their dental devices properly, they may get bacteria and plaque buildup. As a result, retainers start to smell over time.
2. How to maintain retainers?
Clean your retainers daily with a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive toothpaste to maintain your device. For weekly deep cleaning, you can use cleaning tablets, white vinegar solution, or with the help of a UV ultrasonic cleaner.
3. How to keep retainers odor-free?
Rinse your device before and after every use. Use a soft-bristled brush with non-abrasive toothpaste to clean your retainers and keep them odor-free. Store your retainers in their container to prevent them from getting any environmental contaminants which may lead to smelly retainers.
4. How to fix a smelly retainer?
Apply a non-abrasive toothpaste to your toothbrush and gently scrub. Make sure that you use a soft-bristled brush and prevent your device from getting any scratches.
