How to clean a retainer (without damaging it)

Retainer Care Hub: Overview · Cleaning · Storage · Repair vs replace · Product picks · Care guide (PDF)

Daily (about 2 minutes)

1. Rinse with cool or lukewarm water as soon as you take it out, before saliva and plaque dry on.
2. Brush gently inside and out with a soft toothbrush you use only for the retainer.
3. Use plain water or a mild, unscented dish soap. Many toothpastes are abrasive and can scratch clear plastic, making it cloudy.
4. Rinse well and let it air-dry in an open or vented case.

Weekly deep clean

• Soak in a retainer/denture cleaning tablet or crystals made for appliances, following the package directions and time.
• An ultrasonic appliance cleaner can help loosen buildup between wires and acrylic.
• Brush again after soaking and rinse thoroughly.

What to avoid

• Hot or boiling water, dishwashers, microwaves — heat can warp the fit.
• Bleach or long soaks in alcohol mouthwash — can damage plastic, acrylic, and metal.
• Scrubbing with abrasive toothpaste or baking-soda pastes on clear retainers.
• Leaving it wet in a sealed case for days — that is where odor and buildup start.

When cleaning is not enough

White, hard buildup that will not brush off, a crack you can see, a loose or bent wire, or a change in fit are signs to stop and check. A cracked acrylic base or broken wire on a Hawley retainer is often repairable by mail — see repair vs replace or view repair prices.

Want the right tools? See our retainer care product picks.

General care information only — not medical or dental advice. If your retainer no longer fits, hurts, or your teeth feel like they are moving, contact the dental professional who provided it.