How to Take Care of Retainers & Night Guards
Disinfect your appliance by soaking them for 10-15 minutes daily in either:
– hydrogen peroxide (dilute ~1:1 with water to get to 1-1.5% concentration)
– whitening mouth rinse (will usually be peroxide based and do not require dilution)
Once a week or as needed, descaling your appliance with a 1:1 mixture of white distilled vinegar and water for up to 30 minutes to loosen hard white build up. Gently brush with a soft toothbrush to remove debris.
TIPS
Brushing can increase wear on retainers by roughing up the surfaces and increases porosity/staining of the appliance. It is recommended to gently brush off visible debris using a soft tooth brush on an as needed basis.
Rinse your appliance with clean water before you put it back in your mouth.
Bring your appliance to every dental visit for inspection and cleaning.
Never wrap your appliance in a napkin as these are frequently accidentally discarded.
Store your appliance in its protective case whenever it’s not in your mouth.
Do not use alcohol based mouth rinses to disinfect your appliance as they will dry and crack.