Spring cleaning? Don’t forget your dental gear
Posted on May 1, 2025 in Healthy You
Spring is a great time of year to freshen up your surroundings. As you organize closets, donate clutter and scrub every corner and crevice, don’t forget your dental gear. Dental devices like retainers and mouthguards need a solid cleaning routine to prevent harmful bacteria buildup. The tips below will help you establish a dental gear cleaning plan that will leave your gear sparkling and safe all year round.
Why it’s important to clean dental gear
Regular cleaning prevents the buildup of bacteria, plaque and food particles on your dental devices. If left on your gear, food and harmful germs can cause:
- A bad smell and taste in your gear
- Gum irritation
- A greater risk of cavities
- Damage to your dental devices
Simple 5-step daily routine
- Brush your teeth: Wearing dental gear without brushing your teeth first transfers more bacteria onto your device.
- Wash your hands: Touching your gear without first washing your hands will transfer bacteria onto your device.
- Brush with soap: Before using, brush your device with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fragrance-free dish soap or hand soap. Toothpaste may be too abrasive for daily cleaning of retainers or mouthguards.
- Rinse with warm water: Rinse your device before putting it on and immediately after taking it off. Do not use hot water, as that can change the shape of your device.
- Use a protective case: When not wearing your device, you should store it in a protective case that has holes in it to allow air flow. Air flow helps reduce bacteria growth.
Weekly deep clean
Choose one day a week to give your dental gear a deeper clean by soaking it in a cleaning solution. You can buy quick-dissolving tablets designed to clean dentures and retainers or make your own using baking soda, vinegar and water. Once the water stops fizzing, rinse the device and brush clean. Also, wash your gear’s protective case during this weekly deep clean.
Don’t forget your dentist
Bring your dental gear to your twice yearly preventive dental appointments. Your dentist can check the fit and condition and even provide a professional cleaning for your gear, if needed. Don’t forget you can check Delta Dental of Iowa’s online Find a Provider tool for a list of in-network dentists near you.
By adding these simple spring cleaning tips into your routine, you can keep your retainer and mouthguard fresh, safe and working effectively.
SOURCE:
New York Times