HOW SHOULD I CLEAN MY RETAINER, ALIGNER OR NIGHT GUARD?

We all know it is important to regularly brush our teeth to help keep them healthy and clean. However, did you know that bacteria and tartar can also accumulate on your removable dental appliance? That is why it is so important to clean your retainer, aligner or night guard in the right way, every day.

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK OUT FOR?

If you notice any of the following signs, plaque or tartar could be building up. Wearing a removable dental appliance can lead to an increase of plaque or odour-causing bacteria in your mouth. Poor appliance hygiene can lead to bad breath, stains and plaque accumulation. However, by keeping your removable dental appliance clean, you can keep potential problems such as bad odours at bay. Learn more about the importance of keeping retainers, aligners and night guard clean.

SIGNS YOUR REMOVABLE APPLIANCE ISN’T CLEAN

Does it smell bad?
Is it covered in a cloudy film?

CLEANING YOUR APPLIANCE DAILY

One of the ways to help stop cumulative build-up of odour causing bacteria on your removable dental appliance is to use cleansing tablets like Polident Retainer & Mouthguard Cleanser. These dissolvable tablets are designed with Crystal Clear technology to lift stains and remove* 99.9% of odour-causing bacteria in just 3 minutes**.

SIMPLE STEPS FOR USING Polident Retainer & Mouthguard Cleanser

DO NOT SWALLOW

Drop one Polident Retainer & Mouthguard tablet into enough very warm (not hot) water to cover your dental appliance.
Soak for 3-5 minutes, then gently brush. For best results, gently brush your dental appliance with cleanser solution using a soft brush. Discard remaining solution immediately after use.
Rinse appliance thoroughly with running water.

^{*When used as directed. **In laboratory tests; Kiesow, A. et al. (2016) J. Prosthet. Dent. 115(2) 189-198. Sponsored by Haleon}

TOP FIVE CLEANING TIPS

AVOID EXTREME HEAT
Never place your retainer, aligner or night guard in boiling or very hot water, or in the dishwasher.
SOFT BRISTLES
Always use a soft-bristled toothbrush for removing debris and food from your dental appliance after you have used the Polident cleanser solution, so you do not damage your retainer, aligner or night guard. Ensure you use a separate toothbrush for your dental appliance, rather than the same toothbrush you use for your teeth.
MAKE CLEANING A DAILY HABIT
Develop a daily routine for cleaning your removable dental appliance, which could be at the same time as you brush your teeth.
RINSE BEFORE PUTTING BACK IN
Always rinse your retainer, aligner or night guard with running water before putting it back in your mouth.
CLEAN YOUR CASE
Clean your retainer, aligner or night guard case once a day too, as this can also collect bacteria.