Ortho said not to use toothpaste - so how do you clean a retainer then?

[MELSMICE]

DD just got her braces off. The orthodontist said not to use toothpaste on her retainer - just soap. Does this seem right? I thought denture toothpaste, possibly, but she specifically said NOT to use that.

I don't want to ruin the retainer, so DD has been using soapy water, but the other day she said it smelled!! YUCK!

Anyone with retainer experience that can give some suggestions.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I always used the denture cleaning tablets on mine. The kind you drop into a glass of water containing the retainer. That is what ortho told us to use.

 

[pat fan]

Is it the clear plastic one that fits over the teeth or the metal band one that has a piece that conforms to the roof of your mouth?

When DS got the clear plastic one they gave him a container (battery operated) that you put it into with warm water and denture cleaner (it's made for orthodontics,the little discs that fizz). You just run it a few minutes and it cleans them. We have used the same device for his wire retainer that he now has. They never said not to, so I just assumed it was good for both kinds of retainers.

 

[wdwfanatic]

My daughter uses toothpaste ....and it works ok, but once a week she uses those denture cleaner tabs where you soak it and that works the best.

 

[ilovepcot]

It's been a very l-o-n-g time since I had mine, but I always used toothpaste followed by a rinse in mouthwash. Possibly the materials have changed since having mine and toothpaste could damage in some way? I'd still like to use mouthwash (listerine) to keep it as germ free as possible and fresh smelling. Perhaps this is now harmful, too.

 

[gradtchr]

I always used the denture cleaning tablets on mine too.

 

[MrsKreamer]

Other one for denture cleaning tablets!

 

[lunsusie]

My son uses denture cleansing tablets for this retainer, as well.

 

[Equidae]

Another vote for denture tablets!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I always used Efferdent and never had any complaints.

 

[polly p]

brush with water after everytime you brush and then once a week soak in efferdent/polident for partials. Not sure if it is the same formula for dentures or not but you want to make sure won't ruin the integrity of the metal.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

i always used toothpaste..and the denture tablets too

 

[MELSMICE]

Thanks for all the replies. I think we'll try the Efferdent tablets.

 

[debm]

It's been a long time--but I think I remember soaking it in hydrogen peroxide for 10-15 minutes per night.

 

[doxdogy]

When I had a retainer many moons ago, I use to soak mine in diluted mouthwash.

 

[ElizK]

I only ever used toothpaste on mine. But that was a LONG time ago!

 

[always quiet]

They also make a Polident/Efferdent style table made for orthodontic appliances!! More expensive.................but all it is in denture tablets.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I use toothpaste and sometimes a soak in peroxide. Didn't know I was doing a bad thing.

 

[Pugdog007]

My orthodontist told me to use toothpaste.