Retainers are constantly in your mouth. Whether you want to admit it or not, your mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria. Many people will use mouthwash to clean and destroy bacteria. Logically, it would make sense to think that using mouthwash on a retainer would kill any bacteria on it. So can you use mouthwash on your retainer? Here’s why you shouldn’t.
Mouthwash comes in all different flavors, types, and strengths. Many chemicals go into creating an effective mouthwash, but some of these chemicals may not be good for the material that your retainer is made from. Most mouthwashes contain alcohol as an ingredient, and when alcohol soaks into a retainer, it dries the plastic out, making the retainer more likely to crack.
A cracked retainer is no good because it loses the tight fit around your teeth. If your retainer is cracked, your teeth will shift back to their natural positions after all that professional work of braces or aligners. When you wash or attempt to clean your retainer with mouthwash, you are increasing the chances that it will break.
If you are looking for a proper way to clean a retainer, there are a few preferred methods. A natural way to clean your retainer would be soaking it in a glass that is half full of water and half vinegar. The vinegar acts as a natural chemical to destroy bacteria without weakening the material. You can also use castile soap or baking soda to help clean your retainer.
For a more effective way to destroy bacteria on your retainer, we recommend cleaning tablets that can be purchased at drugstores or on Amazon. Using these weekly will help eliminate bacteria and keep your retainers fresh and strong. Keeping a clean retainer is key to extending its lifespan.
Sometimes retainers are just too dirty or gross to clean. If your retainer has yellow or white spots, it’s time to replace it with a brand new one. This is where SportingSmiles comes in. Having been in business since 2009 and as the number one online dental lab in America, SportingSmiles has crafted over one million replacement retainers for customers around the world.
Replace your lost, cracked, gross, and damaged dental retainers with a new one from SportingSmiles. Prevent your teeth from shifting using the most durable clear retainers available. Take your own impression at home and save hundreds over going to the dentist. Impression kit included.
Free Shipping in the United States.
Free Storage Case
90-Day Warranty
If you need a replacement retainer, SportingSmiles offers a variety of options for getting one. You may select to receive the patented impression kit. With it, SportingSmiles will mail you the impression kit, where you will take impressions of your teeth before shipping it back with free shipping. From there, our team of talented lab techs will craft you a replacement retainer and ship it directly to your home.
There’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars on a new retainer from the dentist. You will receive the exact same quality retainer from SportingSmiles but without the hassle or huge bill. If you have your molds from your dentist, SportingSmiles accepts those or your STL Files. Both should be provided by your dentist for free. Just ask!
If you are living in a big city like New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles and you are trying to get a replacement set of retainers, you are easily looking at over $1,000. You can get the exact same retainers from SportingSmiles for hundreds of dollars less. There’s no need to leave the comfort and safety of your home. You can complete the entire process from your home and receive a brand new set of fresh, clean retainers! Don’t use mouthwash on your retainer! Get a brand new set from SportingSmiles or start a retainer subscription.
