Cleaning Invisalign retainers

[KillingMeDeftly]

I'm onto the retainer stage of my Invisalign and am keen for them not to get too grubby.

I used toothpaste or a retainer cleaning tablet when I was doing the aligner trays but even so, they got a bit cloudy towards the end of the week. It didn't bother me so much as by then I'd be swapping to the next tray but there won't be any of that with the retainers.

Has anyone tried one of those little ultrasonic retainer/denture cleaning machines? Do they work or are they just gimmicks?

I've not tried anything like that myself. I'm about 10 months into the retainer stage now, and they definitely don't get as bad as the trays did - I think as they're just overnight.
I just use denture tablets to clean them!

My current issue is that I seem to grind my teeth very slightly so I'm developing a hole at the tip of one of the canines!

My dentist has said I should continue to wear them full-time for 3-4 months and then gradually wean down to just overnight. I'd rather err on the side of caution given how pricey the treatment was! The machines look good but maybe too good to be true? I guess it's the same technology as those jewellery cleaners.

For mine, I just use the RetainerBrite (or however it's spelt) tablets once a week, and a soft toothbrush with fairy liquid. I'm about a year in and they're fine.

Don't use toothpaste. Use retainer brite and a toothbrush to brush them.

I use white foam on the go. It’s brilliant, easy to use, keeps the retainers clean and also gradually whitens teeth over time. It costs £50 a bottle from my orthodontist and lasts about 6 months.

Mine are minging. I'm 3 years in on the overnight ones and they are a yellowy colour so I look like o smoke 40 a day when I wear them. I clean them with toothpaste every morning so maybe thats where I'm going wrong.

Denture cleaning tablets. Drop retainers in first thing on a morning, rinse in the evening and wear. I only do it about once a week and the other mornings I rinse under the tap. Been wearing the overnight ones for 18 months now and they look fine.

Don't use toothpaste. Tooth brush and washing up liquid only and regularly using the retainer brite tablets. Denture cleaner possibly too abrasive.

You definitely need denture tablets!

But I'm interested in this foam. Do you have a link to it?

I did find when I was wearing the trays every day that they took the colour out of my teeth, odd but good!

I do retainer/denture tablets once a week (when I remember) and then my dentist sticks them in his sonic/fancy cleaning machine at my 6 monthly check ups. That keeps them sparkly clean.

Don't use toothpaste to clean them and don't leave them lying around without rinsing.

We use denture brite for retainers and were told not to use denture tablets

Do you mean the foam I posted about?

Here’s a picture of the one I use. Unfortunately there’s no way of buying it online. I get it direct from my orthodontist for what I’m sure is a hugely inflated price, but I really love it.

Thanks Mrcpy I'll look for something similar.

I used denture cleaning tablets on my weekly retainers and fir the overnight ones I got a box of retainer brite.

I think the ingredients are very similar or the same tbh.

I use something similar to retainer brite but was intrigued by the ultrasonic machine!

I've got a little ultrasonic thing and use the retainer brite and they still aren't clean. I think I'm going to have to keep the machine running for longer

...And that reads like an advert

Also chiming in to say, don’t use toothpaste or denture tablets to clean them. Makes them brittle over time and is why mine eventually cracked and then broke fully. New Dentist said washing up liquid and soft toothbrush, rinse thoroughly. Can’t comment on the retainer cleaner products, but if it’s been specifically designed and tested for the purpose then should be safe.

Anybody tried the Zima cleaner that everyone is talking about?

Yes, I bought one from Boots so I could collect some advantage points with it as they are very expensive. I was a bit sceptical at first but it definitely helps clean my overnight retainers that I still wear after my orthodontic treatment completed years ago. I had replacement retainers made a couple of years ago and one of them had developed a small black spot, pleased to say it’s now gone. I just pop a Retainer Brite tablet in, I haven’t reordered the expensive Zima specific ones.

Retainer Cleaner & Aligner Foam - Clear Solution for Mouth Guards, Whitening & Cleaning, Includes 60ml Cleaning Foam. Ideal for Teeth Alignment : Amazon.co.uk: Health & Personal Care