How To Clean Retainers and Night Guards

In this video you'll learn how to properly clean and properly store your retainers (essix and hawley) and night guards AND how to keep them free of bad odors and staining. DISCLAIMER: The best recommendations come directly from the manufacturer's instructions (the dentist or dental lab that fabricated your mouth piece) so ALWAYS ask their instructions in cleaning your mouth piece. The instructions in this video are only generalized instructions, which may differ from one manufacturer to another.

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🦷 NOTE: This video does not provide medical advice and is intended for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or dental condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard or seen on social media.

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✌ P E A C E ♥ L O V E ☺ T E E T H ☺

[veevee]

The exact instructions I give my patients!!
Just FYI, you can use a tad bit of cooking oil on your retainer to shine it up!!

[leonk]

Thank you for mentioning the retainer-specific tablets. I had previously used denture cleaning tablets.

[jessw]

Awesome vid. I clenched through my Essix plus retainer. I don’t know what to do. Going to see my dentist tomorrow

[amandawhalen]

What I do to clean my retainer(I just have the simple plastic one), so when I take it out in the morning and at night to brush my teeth, I prepare a bowl of (unscented)soapy water to place them in while I do my teeth brushing process. Which all together takes about like 4 minutes ish counting brushing, flossing, mouth wash etc. Then once I’m done with brushing my teeth, I take the retainers out of the the soapy water and just give them a brush with this separate toothbrush I have that has very soft bristles to get anything extra out. Then after I just rinse them off making sure no soap is left in any of the crevices, and then I put them back in and move on with my day!

Edit: I know she already said this in the video but please please please clean your retainers. It’s as important as brushing your teeth because they can hold in a lot of bacteria that you need to clean out day to day!

[kevalsahota]

Whitney, you’re a legend! I’m really enjoying all the videos of yours I’m now being recommended since subscribing . 🙂

[randomdude]

I put my retainer in a tissue when I ate and someone accidently threw it in the trash. I spent the next days dumpster diving before finding it and saving $500. I was so happy, you have no idea!

[emyh]

My orthodontist told me to clean my retainers like I brush my teeth 😑. Now my retainers are all scratched up. I wish I had seen this video a long time ago.

[khalidsalim]

According to your experiences

Should I keep my metal retainer in water?
Is it better to store metal retainer in water or dry?

[edgo]

so those tablets how often should I use them i know when I do let my retainers sit there for 15 minutes, but should I do it every day?

[kng_kcks]

Is soaking my clear retainers in distilled white vinegar good for cleaning them?

[YahnatanBenAhav]

Where did you get your nightguard (that you use as a top retainer), and are the store-bought nightguards effective as retainers? I have had two Invisalign retainers since I got my braces off ten years ago, and both now have cracks and some tartar-looking stuff on them despite all my regular efforts to keep them clean. Thanks for this video. Very helpful info!

[ericlopardi]

Where did you get the metal storage container from?

[CHARLESSBRONSON]

I'm Gonna Say, i really like the shots of you without makeup. Very Natural.
Now onto my night guard, it looks like is cracking already has a long crack on the outside where I bite down. Should I dry it with a paper napkin or is air drying best?

[NG-kmfh]

What are your thoughts about soaking them in diluted vinegar once a week?

[maharajar]

My orthodontist said to use left over tooth paste in mouth to clean clear retainers. Is this a good idea I have been doing it for 1 week.

[pk-hhxs]

Whitney do you have any video or photos from when you wear braces???

[PurleRain]

Thank you, lady. If only I knew not to use denture tabs on my retainers. After a few uses, the upper retainer started cracking (and disintegrating). My orthodontist said it was wear and tear. Clearly, he’s an amateur!

[liamgiacometti]

I know I'm late to this but is there a preference to what type of soap/brand to use? Everything I read online only suggests dish/hand soap, but not what type or what ingredients to look for/avoid!

[charlierae]

My dentist told me to use toothpaste on my clear retainers. I ended up with build up and 4 cavities. I'm so angry at him. Then he told me to remove all my amalgam and he killed a tooth. It was a retained primary so it couldn't have a root canal. I had to get an implant and he offered no compensation 😪

[jm]

What about ultrasonic cleaning baths? I've been using one for my aligners. Can I use it for retainers. I use a little baking soda and hydrogen peroxide in the ultrasonic cleaner. Sometimes I use aligner cleaner instead for a stronger 💪 clean.