How To Clean Retainers | Cleaning Routine After Braces

Thanks for watching! I hope this helps anyone struggling to keep their retainers from smelling, plaque build-up, and overall cleanliness.
Share any tips and advice you may have in the comments!
Products used:
Polident Denture Cleanser
Palmolive hand soap
Find Me:
Insta - / shabdevi
Twitter - / shabndevi
Music:
Ever Mindful Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
creativecommons...

[@daisye7786]

GEE, I SURE DO WISH SOMEONE *cough* my orthodontist *cough* WOULD'VE TOLD ME THIS-

[@ashleyjohnsonmedia6845]

It’s actually kinda annoying how most orthodontists don’t talk about this type of care for retainers.

[@hichemhamidi5312]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@Thesleepytimes]

God same. They didn’t tell me shit

[@kingsay3029]

Bro facts😂

[@philipthedragon8172]

i know, mine was just "here put this in your mouth at night ok have fun bye!"

[@user-zr4ci7oc9t]

lol, i've been just cleaning my retainer with water before i put it in at night, wtf i'm so dirty, why did my orthodontist not tell me this

[@myname4965]

Lmao Ik wtf I wish I knew this sooner

[@thomasw..]

jody bruh i picked out stuff with flossers

[@kaym9132]

my ortho told me just to rinse it with water. thank god i looked this up only a week with them on.

[@krisimanasieva422]

Me too

[@lemon3257]

My orthodontist made me buy these retainer tablets that you soak the retainers in for about 15 minutes. I usually just do that and then brush it with a spare toothbrush before rinsing and putting them back in. Mines are called Brite if anyone is wondering :)

[@islapnecks843]

My orthodontist told me to brush it once a day, smelled like straight shit😂

[@colinchilds]

Thats cuz u have to brush your teeth too

[@abdirizaakisse3159]

@@colinchilds 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@poutine1469]

Colin Childs ROFL

[@Ddrazan]

Lol

[@BrendaAliciaLucioGonzalez]

Omg same but like i brush them morning and night or anytime after i eat but still brush my teeth and they end up still smelling like shit😂😂

[@anpanv5778]

just had retainers today 😂👀

[@rioarcher7670]

anpanv same :)

[@eviexburns8457]

Same!

[@evie4427]

Same

[@pj9dtheiii736]

Same

[@zach4832]

same :p

[@Uxixiss]

I rinsed mine with water and then I'd just pop it in but it always smelled like shit I was two seconds away from brushing it with toothpaste before just looking this up 😂😂 almost ruined them lol

[@EmilyJinxster]

I’ve been brushing mine with toothpaste for 4 years. They’re fine

[@savannahdennehy7689]

Emily Jinxster same honestly xD

[@VanessaSantos-wk1sn]

@@EmilyJinxster phew thanks I have been brushing mine with toothpaste for about a week and I thought I ruined them.

[@y4z721]

this shit got me weak lmao same

[@mbank3832]

my dentist told me to brush it with toothpaste and i have been brushing with toothpaste and they are fine still

[@phatbiach5533]

I got my retainers last month and my dentist told me i dont need to clean them. So i didnt think i needed to until this morning when i noticed some plaque on them 😩 I really needed to see this video thank you!!

[@SunnY-fd6mg]

😢same .. what's wrong with dentists 😢

[@tfexx]

Bro, I can really find ANYthing I want to know of yt. It’s amazing

[@squibbs2622]

* don’t use denture cleaner! It can damage your retainer there’s special retainer tablets you can find in a drug store MAKE SURE IT SAYS RETAINER CLEANER*

[@zachdeleon4706]

i’ve been using it for years and my retainers are fine

[@rose79297]

can we use hydrogen peroxide??

[@platonymous]

@Mystic Clover it literally won’t if it’s meant for dentures why would it be a dangerous chemical. Also, polident is something I’ve seen dozens of people recommend for retainers and Invisalign.

[@hibalee8457]

Some people told me that I shouldn’t clean them with toothpaste! Is that right ?

[@ShabrinaDevi]

Toothpaste can actually discolour your retainers best not to use it. I always use soap on mine and a soft toothbrush x

[@halfmoonmari9482]

Certain toothpastes can cause them to get murky ://

[@kirstenswinhoe5674]

There’s actually cleansing tablets that you can buy at the orthodontics which really help me with keeping them clean!

[@bubbletrouble4300]

hiba lee never use toothpaste

[@lauryn4536]

don't use toothpaste. it can scratch and damage you're retainer

[@ohmon]

Omg where did you get the little box for your retainers? I need that 😭🙌🏼

[@purplepanda2972]

I brush my teeth everyday and night and even when I eat and when I take them out they have like a smell to them I hate it 😑

[@kajaskauge6738]

Same! I got mine three days ago and i realised it already the first day🤮

[@zoham7797]

you can use listerine to get rid of the smell :)

[@kathleenm6715]

Maybe its the saliva. Try brushing your tongue and gums more. Usually when a saliva smells it usually means the tongue is not properly brushed. Also try a mouth wash

[@seraphicliqht]

SAME 😭😭

[@keia6481]

It’s because you’re not flossing

[@altymar2561]

Yo guys would just like to say, keep your retainers in. One of my bottom teeth used to be half an inch behind all my other teeth. After braces it was completely straight. But, I left my retainers at home for a week holiday and the rest of my teeth moved back n trapped that singular tooth out. I won't have straight teeth again, every other tooth is straight but there is always that one tooth. Unfortunately its in the front of my mouth so people notice :/ Don't do the same.

[@emilyanderson3649]

This is EXACTLY what I have figured to do with mine but I thought it was wack so I just started researching it a bit after 5ish years lol

[@annsleymccallion2356]

When do you normally start getting used to retainers? I got mine yesterday and it hurts.

[@beckypurple1]

it takes about 2 weeks to get use to it. then you won't go without lol

[@randompineapple9615]

For me it was about a week. They killed at the start though

[@annsleymccallion2356]

@@beckypurple1 thank you! Life saver lol

[@annsleymccallion2356]

@@randompineapple9615 thank you I am now used to it

[@thecharlie1827]

I got used to it after like 4 days

[@allic120]

I literally cleaned my retainer with toothpaste 😂

[@erickhernandez8380]

Alli Sky it’s bad

[@aurora8270]

Right me to!😭

[@otamay6473]

Same ugghhhh

[@saumyatamta4021]

😂😂me also

[@saumyatamta4021]

😂😂me also

[@ncm1203]

gosh i wish my actual ORTHODONTIST don’t me this

[@shaked.yizhak8145]

Very helpful video❤️❤️ I will be very glad if you’ll do a video how to floss with metal retainers🙏🏻❤️

[@favesgrave]

My orthodontist just gave me a note telling me to clean it like I would clean my teeth, so I assumed that meant use toothpaste! Now I know to use soap

[@rileycampesinos]

My orthodontist told me to use the excess toothpaste on my toothbrush to clean them

[@tammieharkness7929]

people are saying dont use a toothbrush it will scratch it and like you said dont use toothpaste i use a toothbrush and toothpaste and it hasnt done anything to my retainers but i also use dish soap the one you wash your dishes with and that cleans them .

[@asuari7305]

I don't get it on Invisalign's KZbin page they instruct to brush them with a soft toothbrush and small amount of non-whitening non-abrasive toothpaste.

[@oni5909]

Tammie Harkness what about hand soap?

[@jaelyn942]

Sathu Dish soap

[@zaywyd5463]

My orthodontist just told be to put the tablets in water and sit the retainer in for like 5 minutes once a month 😐😐😐

[@couchpotato9751]

i got my retainers today and i DONT want to clean it and my brush my teeth every time i eat so can someone tell me how to cheat it? 😂

[@---ih8jo]

Those retainers don’t look clear either after a 2 month period 😳

[@quackeshy4317]

If I were at school, how should I clean my retainers? I usually clean them everytime I take them off to get the saliva off, so meaning I'll be removing them once at school during lunch. Should I bring a toothbrush or something? Or should I just rinse it with water while I'm at school?

[@couchpotato9751]

my question too

[@enielfblerta428]

I'm a uni student with a similar problem. If you can, it's better to brush them after you take them out. But if that's impractical for whatever reason, I think it's fine if you just rinse with water. I'd guess it's much more important to brush your teeth before you put them back in.

[@jae1880]

If you choose to use hand soap to clean your retainers you need to make sure it’s an alcohol free one

[@thaliawhisperwind4013]

Hey you actually shouldn’t use denture cleaner cause it will erode them over time!!!

[@savannahdennehy7689]

I use retainer brite they clean my retainer perfectly and never stain!

[@linaz5548]

Are they good? I just got my braces off and im getting retainers on monday!

[@staceyj398]

8 months since your comment....Just wondering if they eventually stained?

[@strawbbyjac]

my orthodontist said not to clean with a toothbrush!!? so do i or do i not ?

[@Dora-td3si]

Same doubt .can anyone answer please?

[@strawbbyjac]

i guess just use q-tips, just to be safe

[@couchpotato9751]

listen to your dentist

[@lilblondiee]

i always clean them with toothpaste…. my dentist never told me this

[@ArmyForever-sm2dj]

Who else cringed when she put soap on the toothbrush

[@dgproductions6224]

literally wth

[@ghoulsl1p955]

I have retainers but I do the same thing what she does Yes we need to use a toothbrush for taking out all bacteria out of the retainer because when you eat there’s some food that can get stuck inside your molars and when you put on your retainer the food gets stuck so that’s why she uses soap

[@karlacuevas3700]

Koa UwU why not toothpaste

[@justinmitchell8343]

@@karlacuevas3700 tooth paste it too rough for the retainers and might scratch it up.

[@Cameron-kw3ll]

@@justinmitchell8343 toothpaste can also after a period of time make your retainer yellow tinted which obviously isn't good

[@sae1019qtpie]

Just got my retainers on Tuesday. Man! I’m not gonna lie my breath smells sooooooo bad when I wake up. 🤢 I clean my retainers really well and I brush and floss and use mouth wash. Will this ever go away? 😔

[@mattskrokov3576]

Mine went away after a while, idk if that happens to everyone? Or maybe I just got used to the smell Hahahah

[@sae1019qtpie]

@@mattskrokov3576 Hahahaha! Man it’s been a month and it’s still bad. I started soaking them in alcohol free mouthwash (the kind I used for my braces).

[@charlierae8266]

And breath is a bacterial imbalance. Drink 1 cup of keifer every day. Soak your trays every day in antibacterial soap and baking soda. Brush them before you put them in. Brush teeth 2x a day. Once a week, soak retainers in vinegar to get rid of the deposits.

[@charlierae8266]

@@sae1019qtpie don't use alcohol mouthwashes. They kill the Good bacteria as well

[@sae1019qtpie]

@@charlierae8266 I don’t. It’s alcohol free, the kind I used with my braces.

[@recsolgrin]

Oh My God! Your teeth are glowing!! They are so white!! What are you using? So gorgeous!

[@ClaudiaGarcia-qm8ki]

Wowww its been 2 months since i got my retainers and i didnt know we werent supposed to use toothpaste😭😭

[@ambibambi.]

Same 💀

[@juiceboyosue6140]

I never wore my elastics very much until my very last wire and I regret not using them 😤

[@billiexstyles3159]

Why

[@davidpadilla2411]

same

[@rayyansheikh7193]

because it makes you have to wear braces longer, happened with me lol

[@flippaclipanimations1933]

I got my retainer in February and I clean it with my toothbrush and water, but thanks for the tips!!

[@onionodin7102]

Yeah same I don't use the soap she uses

[@kadencezemencsik4112]

You’re not supposed to use the tablets because it weakens the fiber in them so they might brakes pretty soon

[@ellysemarie7010]

so what do you use instead??

[@rexp8039]

My ass really used toothpaste 😂😂

[@koobynacks]

bye i literally clean them with toothpaste every single day

[@jayjayyyy6637]

When I rinse my retainer can I put them on while they are wet or do I need to wait for them to dry?

[@lydiaLiddystarlightair]

wet is fine

[@partv5529]

The only consistent thing in wearing Clear Retainers is SMELL SO BAAAADDD! lol

[@calista910]

better than denture cleaner mix vinegar hydrogen peroxide snd baking soda with sime water to dilute and make a paste 🎉then scrub let it soak too if u add a lot of water and then umscrub it thatts a good deep clean snd disinfects denture cleaner isnt good for retaine🎉rs

[@Jcasiopee]

Dude my orthodontist actually told me to wash with toothpaste..🤦🏽‍♀️

[@ProTechGaming]

My orthodontist said the opposite

[@panchaeyes3652]

Same

[@Ouaziz186]

You see that you’ve used hand soap like could it be any sort of soap

[@stevengeorgiev9590]

With using Polident, how long do you wait for the retainers to be in the tub with the Polident?

[@joebird376]

Steven Georgiev she said 3-5 minutes

[@erickhernandez8380]

Oh I usually take them out once it stop fizzing

[@N1ghtRunner1993]

i let them in for 15-20 minutes

[@RandomlyFun]

My dentist told me to use denture cleaner tablets I-

[@veradixon2327]

Just got retainers today.

[@auntiek1806]

👄Mouth guard rinse: tooth brush with warm water, or a drop of regular dish detergent or warm water👄

[@tiffanyhun472]

Thanks

[@michellelopez2224]

I took my braces off today

[@linaz5548]

I got it off yesterday

[@AgentRain19]

Such a great video, I thank you 😊

[@abcdefghijklmnopqrstu__wxy9154]

All she said was “Oh you can use toothpaste!!” Okay but how do I use the toothpaste??

[@David-ur7og]

I found a little line in the retainer but when I try to see if it was broken by applying slight pressure and running my finger it didn’t separate... is it fine or do I need a new retainer?

[@linaz5548]

Its fine as long as it doesnt come apart

[@brandon-po8hp]

Nice video!!

[@emmaa.5881]

Doesnt it taste soapy after?

[@nathaniellelapointe2826]

I use soft dish soap and no after taste

[@jojoa2004]

@Luke Skypotter ure kidding right

[@mariasymeou7447]

Is it fine to brush them with mouthwash?

[@PandaOfRed368]

NO! they can stain your retainers and the alchohol is just a no go regardless.

[@mariasymeou7447]

@@PandaOfRed368 oh ok thanks👍🏻

[@leah-bf7ej]

if it’s alcohol free then yeah

[@namjoonkim114]

Just got these retainers today! But these are just like Invisalign’s... I wonder if they’re the same thing?

[@Cdog_videos]

Yep! They are

[@greenflame2665]

Thanks for this just got mine yesterday

[@dovyjungreis5352]

This is a awesome video thanks i Love u

[@DotaLime]

Are your retainers still fine after 2 years of cleaning with Denture cleaner tablets like Polident? Does it damage it? Because i am planning to get it, but not sure whether it will damage retainers in the long term.

[@ShabrinaDevi]

My retainers are still in great condition after 2 years!

[@ariess7394]

@@ShabrinaDevi ok im getting it

[@smrititiwari9699]

I was handed over my retainers by my orthodontist's assistant.

[@joryk7567]

Same, she told me to clean them by brushing them with water

[@vicevlex8448]

Lmao wtf mine have never had a smell and I’ve had mine for more than a year

[@janeg.j302]

Vice Vlex same

[@aprilgreen06]

I’ve had mine for a few days and the smell bad

[@fannyasilberman7373]

Could an ultrasonic machine be used on retainers, daily, for the cleaning instead of using a toothbrush? Think the plaque build up would come off in the ultra sonic?

[@EastDallasKicks]

get a tooth brush and a cup and water put some water in it and alittle bit of dawn dishwashing liquid like basically dish soap and mix it in with the water with the tooth brush and get the retainer wet, preferably with warm water and scrub with the soapy wooder.

[@dthang9248]

So dishwash soap?

[@EastDallasKicks]

@@dthang9248 Yeah but to be honest I had no right making that comment. I wore braces from 7th grade to the beginning week of sophomore year. And I only wore my retainers for like 3 months before I stopped wearing them and my teeth shifted. It’s been like 4 years of teeth shifting RIP to mommy’s money and investment on me. I have disappointed her in numerous ways.

[@duke222222]

I'm guessing with the deep clean if you accidentally leave them in there and head off to work they'll dissolve?

[@DR-mq1le]

Will the toothbrush with the soap not scratch it though?

[@joryk7567]

omfg so much maintenance... i can barely take care of my real teeth D:

[@444fawn]

my ortho just told me to put them in everyday only taking them off when i eat and brush my teeth and that’s it...

[@livi1477]

my orthodontist told me that it was okay to use toothpaste as long as it wasn't gritty or rough, and i was also wondering if colored denture/retainer cleaning tablets could stain the retainers?

[@packedsun]

it’s different from were you go i think

[@anamatias3852]

I got the polident denture cleaner but I realized I didn't get the three minutes one, I got the overnight one. Can I still use it for three minutes even though it's overnight?

[@chloelouise2104]

Don’t clean retainers with toothpaste. So what have I been doing for the past 7 weeks. Oops 🙊

[@balance_7124]

HOLYYY SHITTTTTTTT they are fucking tightttttt

[@alondracarpio859]

I esa cleaning my retainers and i broke the one that goes up 😔

[@alondracarpio859]

I put cola loka hahahahah

[@corneashalove5626]

Where did you get the convenient little box for your retainers?

[@staceyj398]

Amazon has all types of cases

[@reetkaur1751]

Hi I got retainers yesterday but they r very wide covered my gums as well m not felling comfortable wht they are very wide

[@dthang9248]

I’ve been cleaning my retainers with dishwasher soap and the stains won’t leave and I’ve been starting to feel and uncomfortable fit on the corner of my bottom teeth when I put my retainers on.

[@EastDallasKicks]

If you’re cleaning with really hot water the retainers might shrink atleast j think they could. But how long have you had those retainers? The hot water also can weaken the plastic and make them bend easier so they might have somewhat melted kinda like leaving sunglasses on a truck dashboard under the hot sun. Might be time for a new pair hit up your orthodontist.

[@dthang9248]

@@EastDallasKicks I’ve had my retainers for a month and I wash my retainers with cold water

[@heidieaying6228]

Are you using whitening product and putting it on youre retainers?

[@ShabrinaDevi]

heidie Aying definitely not putting whitening products on my retainers. I use a toothpaste that has whitening properties to brush my teeth but I don’t put anything except soap and cleanser to my retainers.

[@oni5909]

Shabrina Devi Which one

[@Heller_215]

Damn I've had mine for about two years now I need new retainers

[@Mamahoodxo]

How do you dry them ?

[@erickhernandez8380]

Tele Vega I usually dry them with a napkin

[@sebassthefish2278]

Why dry them tho they are gonna get wet anyway when you put them in your mouth

[@butter7459]

@@sebassthefish2278 dont want any mold in my retainer case or some shit

[@Ayaana7636]

Thank you so much for the video it’s super helpful

[@annisezzaellyana6369]

just had my retainer yesterday

[@auroraayo937]

what will happen to your retainers if you keep them in hot water?

[@Jxstvib1ng]

Aurora Ayo they’ll start to change shape bc of the heat

[@auroraayo937]

@@Jxstvib1ng thx got them few days before and few I did not put hot water

[@ikkykoke7559]

Thank youuu

[@kevinbahena4370]

My dentist gave me a sheet that had instructions of what i should do with my retainers and it said dont get hot water on my retainers and to clean it with warm water and toothpaste.

[@Lias_tocabocaworld]

Omg tyyyyyy

[@kaylitamarie6518]

i used hand soap and rinsed them like 10 times and now they taste like soap ...

[@EastDallasKicks]

Kaylita Marie no get a tooth brush and a cup and water put some water in it and alittle bit of dawn dishwashing liquid like basically dish soap and mix it in with the water with the tooth brush and get the retainer wet, preferably with warm water and scrub with the soapy wooder.

[@FrancisLeonNina]

Mine don’t smell actually. Because I cleaned mine with toothpaste

[@smilin_kpop]

Its been 10 days since i got braces are off i still haven't got my retainer yet is it normal

[@starlsma2000]

No

[@joyjoy2243]

I can't close my jaw with retainer on. Is that normal?

[@bakishaagaming6366]

yea

[@ODDMAN-g4w]

So me I soak mine in baking soda then scrub that’s all

[@jerillemartin4778]

how much po pagawa niyo?

[@farqundafatima7481]

U r sooo cute masha allah ❤

[@emilymae2032]

WARNING NEVER CLEAN IT WITH A TOOTHBRUSH BC IT CAN SCRATCH THEM UP

[@nicholasd756]

then what should I use?

[@emilymae2032]

Hello Wassup u can use rather retainer cleaner or densure cleaner either way works better it doesn’t act ratchet them up and it’s just a little tablet to desolve in and it cleans them

[@tammieharkness7929]

not true

[@r.danielramirez6405]

As long it doesn't break it it's fine.

[@burningflame19]

I use a toothbrush but a soft one and my retainers seem fine. Just defo avoid toothpaste because it damages the plastic