How do I clean my clear retainers after braces? Are there retainer cleaning services in Singapore?

Hi there! In addition to Dr Sylvia's answer, I would like to add the following tips:

1) Avoid eating and drinking with your clear retainers. Food stains from curry, coffee, beetroot etc will penetrate your clear retainers and are very difficult to clean away.

2) Consistency is the Key. Food and Plaque deposits that are left on clear retainers over a long period of time hardens into calculus. This looks like chalky, white substances that are hard to rub off without professional dental help.

3) Do not try to sterilise clear retainers using hot water as this permanently distorts and warps them!

Good job wearing your retainers 4 years after finishing braces treatment!

Cheers,

Dr Poon Kee Hwang

These are my instructions to my patients when I fit their clear retainers for them:

- Rinse them with cold water every time you take them out of the mouth, if you wear them during the day time, you have to clean them after every meal too

- Use a medium toothbrush to physically scrub the retainers (both inside and out)

- Do not use toothpaste as it may scratch the surface

- You may buy specialised retainer cleaner e.g. Retainer Brite

Bearing this in mind, the clear retainers can be made using different types of materials and it is best to ask your own orthodontist what his/her regime is. When my patients come in to see me for a retainer check, I also do instruct for the retainers to be cleaned in the surgery if need be.

Clear retainers unfortunately do not last as long as the metal retainers, and hence if it is starting to show signs of wear, it may be time to have them replaced.

I hope this helps. Good luck!