How do I clean my plastic retainer for my teeth?

[SmoothAvocado]

I have a plastic retainer to wear on my teeth at night. I wash it out in water and once in a while, using retainer brite but it's getting increasingly smelly and the white/yellow dirt on it won't brush off and there's little black spots on it too.

It's pricey and custom made so can't just get a new one. Any tried and tested ideas on how to get it as clean as possible? Thanks

OP already said she uses retainer brite. It needs properly cleaned first though

I use Vitis orthodontic tablets on my invisalign trays every morning to clean off all the plaque and saliva which has built up over night.

I find it works more effectively at cleaning the trays if you use fairly warm water; not just lukewarm or cold water. But not too warm as this will warp the trays.

Also, place the trays with the hollow part down, so that the chemical in the tablet and water can make contact with all the external part of the tray.

I gently scrub with a soft toothbrush at least once every second day to physically remove the build up too, just after putting them in the cleaning solution. Physical removal is how we get rid of plaque on our teeth so really is also the best way to get rid of build up on these trays too. But I would avoid toothpaste because as other posters have said it is abrasive.

I brush it every day with toothpaste, I spray it with a tongue cleaner before I use it, and once a week I soak it in white vinegar for a few hours, cleans it totally.
My dentist was quite impressed at how clean it was during my last visit

I use fragrance free Dr Bronner and a small toothbrush every night and the once a week Retainerbrite

I always used to soak mine in retainer brite and wash out with water. I also used a separate toothbrush to clean it too

Don't use toothpaste, it's too aggressive.

Use soap and a toothbrush. Very simple.

I was told to brush mine with toothpaste. But I kept developing oral thrush so now I soak mine in Steradent-type tablets and once a week in a sterilising liquid/water combo.

Steradent but not hot water, luke warm at most

I tried this the other day and it got rid of the smell.
askthedentist.com/diy-retainer-cleaner/

I'm an orthodontic nurse. Don't use toothpaste it's abrasive and scratches the retainer. 5 years is well over the life span we would expect so you have done really well with those. Use a soft bristled toothbrush and fairy liquid or hand soap. Soak in retainer brite once a week. Unfortunately they will never look as good as they once did but this should freshen them up. If you're in the U.K. you won't get new ones at the moment as dentists are unable to take impressions and dental labs are not working due to potential contamination. If it's any consolation my retainers look similar to yours and I wear them every night!

I use soap and a toothbrush on mine.

I leave mine in a glass of water with Retainer Brite in it. Works pretty well.

Clean it with soap and water and a soft toothbrush morning and night.

Soak in milton for 20 minutes twice a week.

But really it probably needs replacing at some point, if its smelly.

I use a normal toothbrush that I only use for the retainer and toothpaste on it and scrub with warm water ! Makes it minty !

My DD uses Steradent (the stuff you use for dentures) every night to keep her retainers clean.

I use steradent (or Sainsbury's own) on my invisalign braces. Works a treat!

Ive used a toothbrush & toothpaste on mine for 2 years and Steradent once a week.

Mine might have gone a tiny little bit less clear, but I only wear it at night.

I also use a denture brush sometimes, I get all these bits including a plastic denture pot from Poundland.