How to Disinfect Dirty Retainers or Invisaligns

Dental retainers and Invisaligns, the clear aligners that provide an alternative to braces, are not cheap. The appliances are custom-made to fit your mouth and to keep your newly-arranged bite in place. Your teeth are home to bacteria and plaque, even when you take good care of your teeth. As an extension, your mouthpiece gets dirty and needs daily disinfection. Cleaning them at home is very easy.

Things You'll Need

• Bowl
• Denture cleaner
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste

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Instructions

• 1

  Dissolve a denture-cleaning tablet in a bowl of water. Use warm water; avoid hot water as the heat could damage your Invisaligns.

• 2

  Place your mouthpiece in the bowl and let it soak and disinfect. You are generally expected to wear your retainer daily for up to 23 hours to ensure it's doing its job, although your dental care provider's guidelines may vary.

• 3

  Take your dental appliance out of the denture cleaner and rinse it with cold water.

• 4

  Brush the mouthpiece with your toothbrush and toothpaste. The toothpaste will not only disinfect, but it will remove any debris from the crevices. Perform the disinfecting measures daily to keep your appliances and mouth clean and healthy.

• 5

  Rinse your retainer in cool water and fit it in your mouth.