How to clean a night guard, clear aligners and retainers: odour, yellowing and storage
Night guards, clear aligners and retainers should be rinsed in cold or lukewarm water every time you take them out and gently brushed at least once a day with a separate soft brush and a non-abrasive cleaner such as unscented liquid soap. Toothpaste can scratch the surface and make it cloudy, and hot water can warp the plastic. Cleaning tablets suitable for appliances can be used a few times a week. Once clean and dry, the appliance should be kept in its ventilated case.
Daily cleaning, step by step
- Rinse the appliance in cold or lukewarm water as soon as you take it out; it's easier to clean before saliva dries.
- Using a soft brush kept just for the appliance, gently brush the inside and outside with unscented liquid soap or a cleaner your dentist recommends.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Let it air-dry, then put it in its ventilated case.
- Brush your teeth before putting it back in; a clean appliance over dirty teeth keeps bacteria against your teeth for hours.
Do's and don'ts
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Rinse in cold or lukewarm water | Use hot or boiling water; the plastic can warp |
| Use a separate soft brush | Brush with toothpaste; it scratches and clouds the surface |
| Use unscented liquid soap or appliance cleaning tablets | Soak in bleach, alcohol or alcohol-based mouthwash |
| Store it in a ventilated case once dry | Wrap it in a napkin; it easily ends up in the bin |
| Wash the case once a week too | Leave it where pets can reach it |
Why do appliances smell or turn yellow?
The most common causes are a layer of bacteria building up on the surface and minerals from saliva. If the appliance isn't brushed regularly, this layer thickens and white, chalky deposits can form over time. Tea, coffee and coloured drinks taken with the appliance in will stain it too.
- Drink only water while wearing clear aligners; take them out for anything else.
- Brush your teeth before putting the appliance in.
- Cleaning tablets made for appliances help with white deposits; if they're stubborn, ask your dentist.
- If the smell persists despite cleaning, have your mouth checked for a source too. See bad breath.
Small differences between appliances
- Clear aligners (orthodontic treatment): Worn 20–22 hours a day, so they need the most care. Don't put them back in after eating without brushing first. See clear aligners or braces.
- Retainers: Keep teeth in place after treatment; if one cracks or becomes loose, let your dentist know promptly. See how long to wear a retainer.
- Night guards: Used for clenching and grinding; clean in the morning and leave to dry. See clenching and night guards.
- Sports mouthguards: Rinse and dry after every use. See mouthguards for sport.
When should an appliance be replaced?
Clear aligners are changed at set intervals as part of the treatment plan. Night guards and retainers can last a long time with good care, but cracks, holes, marked wear or a poor fit should be checked at your next appointment. If it's hard to put in or doesn't feel as snug as before, your teeth may have moved.
When travelling or eating out
Always put your appliance in its case when you take it out; appliances wrapped in a napkin at restaurants are lost all the time. If you can't brush, rinse the appliance and your mouth with water and do a proper clean at the first chance.
Appliance check-ups in Beylikdüzü
At Dent32 we look at your night guard or retainer at check-ups and assess how it fits and how worn it is. We explain who needs a night guard in teeth clenching and night guards in Beylikdüzü.
Dent32 is at Barış Mah., Ginza Lavinya, E-5 Yanyolu No:30 D:179, 34520 Beylikdüzü, Istanbul and is open seven days a week. To book, call or WhatsApp +90 555 011 33 68, or use our contact page. At the examination we share the findings, the options and the approximate cost in writing; you are under no obligation to start treatment afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
Can I clean my night guard with toothpaste?
It's best not to. The abrasives in toothpaste scratch and cloud the surface, and scratches make it easier for bacteria to build up. Use unscented liquid soap or a cleaner made for appliances.
Can I wash clear aligners in hot water?
No. Hot or boiling water can warp them. Use cold or lukewarm water.
How do I remove white spots from my retainer?
These are usually deposits of minerals from saliva. Regular brushing and appliance cleaning tablets help; if they're stubborn, ask your dentist.
Can I drink anything other than water with aligners in?
Only water while you're wearing them. Other drinks can stain them, and sugary drinks held against the teeth under the aligners raise the risk of decay.
What should I do if my appliance smells?
Brush it more regularly, brush your teeth before putting it in and use cleaning tablets a few times a week. If the smell persists, have your mouth checked for a source.
