How to Disinfect Your Child’s Retainer

If you have a child that wears orthodontic retainers, you know that they can get dirty fairly quickly. In fact, many dentists recommend cleaning your child’s retainer at least once per day in order to ensure that it’s as clean as possible and works optimally with their teeth, especially if your child sleeps with their retainer on. Luckily, there are several ways to effectively clean retainers, whether your child only needs to wear one at night or wears one during the day and at night. Learn more about how to clean retainers by following these steps.

How to disinfect your child’s retainer

So, you might be wondering, how do I disinfect my child’s retainer? Well, we’re glad you asked. It may seem daunting at first—how do you clean something that goes in your mouth every day? —but it’s easier than you think. You can also easily clean your retainers if they ever get dirty or dusty by following these simple steps:

1) Take your retainer out of your mouth and place it on a clean surface like a flat mirror or glass. 2) Squirt some toothpaste on a soft cloth or toothbrush (the softer and gentler, the better). 3) Gently scrub all sides of your retainers using small circular motions. 4) Rinse with water. 5) Place back into your mouth. 6) Repeat daily until stains are gone! Simple as that! If you have any questions about how to clean retainers for kids, please leave us a comment below. We would love to hear from you.

Toothfairyblogger Helpful Hints for Getting Braces Braces are a rite of passage when growing up, according to author Teresa Tapp . She had braces herself when she was little—and was happy she did not have to go through painful orthodontic treatment like her daughter did . According to director of pediatric dentistry at Indiana University School of Dentistry , many kids don’t realize how important it is for them to take care of their teeth during treatment.

How to properly maintain your child’s retainer

A well-kept retainer is an important part of good oral hygiene. With regular care, a child’s retainer can last years—even longer than it takes for adult teeth to grow in. That said, retainers do take a bit more maintenance than normal teeth; here are some tips for cleaning and caring for your child’s retainer

How to get rid of bad odors

To get rid of bad-smelling retainers, first soak them in baking soda for about two hours. Then, scrub them with a toothbrush under warm water and rinse until all traces of baking soda are gone. Finish by soaking them overnight in peroxide. The best way to prevent retaining odors is simple: Rinse your retainer at least once a day and brush it weekly with an old toothbrush or dental floss; you don’t need special soaps or cleaners for your retainer unless you have multiple sports that make it smell extra funky (for example, if you swim regularly). And whatever you do, don’t put your retainer in your mouth before rinsing!

How often should you clean your child’s retainer?

Parents wonder if they should clean their child’s retainer and when. As a general rule, most orthodontists recommend cleaning retainers in a warm toothbrush at least once per week. Some children are more prone to plaque buildup than others, so if you notice your child has hard-to-remove food particles or yellow tartar buildup on his or her retainer, you may want to consider cleaning it twice per week.

If your child consistently brushes after meals but still has hard-to-remove particles on his or her retainer, you may need to visit your dentist for professional advice. It is important to pay close attention to your child’s retainer as he or she grows older because it can be damaged by foods with pits and crevices like peaches and nuts. If possible, avoid letting them eat these types of foods until they have fully matured enough to remove all seeds prior to eating them. In addition, if you decide to get yourself a bite guard for teeth grinding/nighttime teeth clenching here are 10 essential tips on how exactly how do you pick out one that really works!

The following questions/answers were extracted from comments: How long should I wait before introducing my baby? Typically your doctor will advise waiting around 6 months before introducing a cup with water into baby’s routine.

What if my retainer doesn’t fit?

If your retainer doesn’t fit, you may have received it too soon or your orthodontist may not have made a proper impression of your teeth. If you’ve had braces for several months, contact your orthodontist so he can make a new set of retainers for you. If it’s been less than two months since your braces were removed, ask your orthodontist about getting a new retainer made right away.

Another option is to wear removable retainers instead of one that attaches directly to your teeth; they are much easier to clean than those that are cemented. In place and will protect against any risk of infection while they work on fixing yours. Once again, consult with your orthodontist before making any decisions. Remember: When choosing between a loose-fitting retainer and no retainer at all, always choose a loose-fitting one over none at all. It’s better to be safe than sorry when dealing with your child’s mouth!

Other tips for cleaning retainers

If you find your retainer gets super gross and can’t be cleaned with a denture cleaner. Try soaking it in peroxide or alcohol for a few minutes. The reason why is because these solvents are designed to break down organic material. Keep in mind though that if you soak it too long, or if you use one of these products. Improperly, they could damage your retainer and make it unusable.

If you have any questions about how to clean retainers, talk with your dentist! A dentist can show you how to take care of your retainer properly so it lasts as long as possible. And if there is no dentist in your area. You can always ask for advice from someone who works in dental supplies. You may even see some dentists offer their own cleaning kits on their websites.
This post was written by Rachel Blumberg-Kason (NYC). Her original post is here: How to Clean an Orthodontic Retainer