What Are Clear Aligners and Retainer Cleaners?
During the night, do you wear clear aligners or a retainer to maintain the positioning of your teeth? If yes, then, you understand how necessary it is to properly wash them! Clear aligners and retainer cleaners are designed to help you do just that. These special cleaners reduce bacteria and grime that can be found on your aligners or retainers after a day of use. If you don't brush them, your aligners can develop a stench or become stained, and that is not healthy for the teeth.
Well then, let’s find out more about these cleaners, and how they can help you maintain a clean mouth and a bright smile!
Now you may be asking yourself, “Why should I bother to clean my aligners or my retainers?” Well, here’s the thing: In cases where you wear your aligners or the retainer, certain tiny germs, which are usually from your mouth, may develop on them. Over time, you notice that your aligners or retainers discolor, develop a bad smell, or in some cases cause discomfort in your teeth. Yikes!
Wouldn’t it be disgusting if you didn’t brush your teeth for days; yuck, isn’t it? The same thing happens if you neglect to clean your aligners or your retainers as instructed by your orthodontist. When you clean them, you make them shiny and free from cracks which is good for your teeth and your breath as well.
Can you sometimes notice a foul smell when you wear your aligners or retainers? It’s something that can occur if you don’t clean them! Not cleaning your aligners or retainer can cause:
That is why one needs to use a cleaner formulated for the aligners and retainers to avoid damaging the components in any way.
Read more on The How's, Why's, When's, and Ifs of At-Home Clear Aligners.
We can’t possibly cover every cleaner existing in the market, instead, we will be focusing on the five best cleaners for clear aligners and retainers. These cleaners make it possible for you to ensure your aligners are clean and you have a fresh smile daily!
Cleaning tablets are one of the most convenient products for cleaning aligners and retainers! The method is very simple: you put one tablet into a cup of water and then place your aligner or retainer into the solution. The tablet rises up and flushes out bacteria and any spot on the dental tools. That’s right, it’s like cleaning your aligners while taking a bubble bath!
Cleaning tablets are good because they are effective and give your aligners a good smell. All you need to do with these is to rinse them for approximately 15 minutes and then you are set!
Foam cleaners are also quite easy to use. It is as easy as spraying some foam cleaner on your aligners, swirling the aligners around gently, and then washing them off. You only need a few minutes to clean your aligners and you do not need to soak them.
It is perfect for a time when you cannot spare much time for cleaning but wish to use fresh aligners. Second of all, foam cleaners can effectively fight bad odors and your breath will stay fresh as well!
Cleaning wipes are just great for use when you are in transit! At times, you may not afford to spend more time washing or even rinsing these aligners, and this is where wipes will be helpful to you. All you have to do is use the cleaner and spray your aligners or your retainer to make them look clean and fresh.
These wipes are portable; you can put them in your bag or pocket to use them whenever you feel that your aligners need to be cleaned and freshened up. They aren’t as effective as tablets or foam but they are great for someone who’s on the go and needs a quick dental scrub.
An ultrasonic cleaner is actually a small device that employs sound to clean your aligners or even a retainer. It is easy to use since you only have to pour water, add your aligners, and then switch on the cleaner. It makes bubbles while it is submerged in the water and those bubbles do all the cleaning by just bubbling off the germs from your aligners.
Another good thing about an ultrasonic cleaner is that you get a clean dental tool without having to do much work yourself. Why not let the machine do all the work for you anyway? This one is perfect for thorough cleaning as it may become impossible to clean them thoroughly after several weeks of wearing them. Moreover, it does not take more than 5 minutes for them to be cleaned, thus, making it a very effective method of cleaning your aligners.
Ultrasonic cleaners are often a little more expensive than the usual cleaner tools like a tablet or wipe, but for a detailed clean, they are worthy investments.
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Cleaning sprays for retainers and aligners are also one of the easiest methods of keeping your aligners fresh during the day. This type of cleaner comes in a small spray bottle that you can easily move around with. This cleaner means that whenever your aligners or retainer feel a little dirty or you get a smell, just spray it on!
Sprays act quickly and there is no need to rinse the aligners after their application. This makes them perfect for busy days when you don’t have time to do a deep cleaning of the surfaces. Also, the sprays have a minty or fresh stench, therefore, assisting in freshening your breaths as well.
However, you must know that a spray does not clean your aligners as effectively as if you use a cleaning solution or an ultrasonic cleaner. Spray cleaning may be appropriate during the day depending on the level of dirt you want to remove, nonetheless, you need to do a thorough cleaning in the evening or after preparing a meal.
So, with all these different options you are probably wondering how to select the right cleaner for your aligners or retainer. So do not worry this is something that can be done easily if you follow the above-stated steps. Moreover, let us share several factors that you should consider to find the right cleaner.
First, look at the amount of time that you have each day to clean your aligners or retainers. If your schedule allows, cleaning tablets or an ultrasonic cleaner might be completely ideal for you because they may take somewhat longer yet appear to clean much deeper. But, if you have no time to spare, then foam cleaners or wipes are going to be more suitable since they are fast-acting.
The final issue to consider is how often your aligners become contaminated. If you find that there is much deposit or foul smell associated with the dental tools then, you may require a more powerful cleaning method that includes a tablet or an ultrasonic model. If all you are going to do is give them a quick spruce up throughout the day then a spray or wipe will suffice.
We also need to consider how much money you’re willing to spend. White cleaning wipes and foam do not cost a lot of money, the same could not be said for the ultrasound. Cleaner. They do take a long time and get your aligners very clean and can be the ideal choice if you want the best for your aligners.
It, therefore, goes without saying that no matter which cleaner you select, daily cleaning is crucial. This will assist in making sure that your teeth are always clean and therefore healthy. The aligners or retainers that you get will be just as delicate as your teeth, so their care should be just as vital. Do you wish to know more other ways that you can practice when it comes to the subject of cleaning aligners? Let’s move on!
You are probably wondering “How often should I clean my aligners or retainer?” The answer is simple: every day! To make sure that your teeth remain clean, you brush them daily. Similarly, to avoid bacteria buildup you should clean your aligners or retainers daily.
In fact, it’s advised that you wash them twice daily since they are easily removable, in the morning and at night. If you have a foam or spray cleaner, you may use it from time to time to keep the aligners or retainers smelling good. If for some reason you are using the deep-cleaning method, such as tablets or an ultrasonic cleaner, you can do it at night or when you have a little more time.
Just so you know your aligners or retainers are in your mouth for many hours every day, so keeping them clean is very critical for your dental health.
This step may sound reasonable to most as it is possible to clean the aligners with toothpaste only. But, here’s why you shouldn’t as using it can be damaging for your aligners or retainer since it is too strong for them. A lot of the toothpastes available contain tiny granules that leave scratch lines on the clear plastic when you brush, causing your aligners to become cloudy or even get damaged eventually.
Keeping your clear aligners and retainers clean is super important for both your smile and your health. If you don’t clean them regularly, bacteria can build up, leading to bad smells, stains, and even dental problems. Luckily, there are plenty of great options to help you keep your aligners fresh and clear, whether you prefer cleaning tablets, foam, wipes, ultrasonic cleaners, or sprays.
The best cleaner for you will depend on how much time you have, how dirty your aligners get, and how often you want to clean them. No matter which option you choose, just make sure to clean your aligners every day to keep your smile bright and your teeth healthy!
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