Non-Toxic Retainer & Night Guard Cleaners
Keep your retainer spotless and germ-free with non-toxic retainer cleaners that are safe, effective, and easy to use. Learn how to avoid harsh chemicals while maintaining optimal oral hygiene and extending the life of your retainer or night guard.
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After my daughter was fitted with a night guard, the dental hygienist recommended cleaning her new oral hygiene appliance with Dawn Dish Soap. I smiled politely, and once we got to the car, I told her I would find an alternative cleaning solution because the ingredients in Dawn (fragrance and ethoxylated ingredients) are not okay with me.
So I started researching how to clean a retainer or night guard using non-toxic products. I learned a lot and this post summarizes non-toxic cleaning methods for a retainer, mouthguard or night guard.
Things To Avoid When Cleaning Your Retainer
- Do not soak your retainer in hot or boiling water. Do not put your retainer in the dishwasher where it will be exposed to high heat. Your retainer is made of plastic and the plastic will warp at high temperatures.
- Avoid harsh or abrasive cleaners. Don’t use bleach, alcohol-based solutions, or toothpaste. These can degrade the material, cause discoloration, or make the surface rough.
- Don’t soak your retainer in mouthwash. Mouthwash often contains alcohol, SLS and dyes that can damage or stain the retainer.
- Don’t scrub with a hard-bristled toothbrush. A hard toothbrush can scratch the retainer, creating grooves where bacteria can thrive.
- Don’t neglect to rinse thoroughly. Any cleaning solution left on the retainer can irritate your mouth.
- Avoid persulfate (an ingredient in denture cleaning powder and cleaning tablets like Efferdent or Polident) for cleaning your dental appliances. Persulfate is a known allergen that can cause allergic reactions like rashes, gum irritation, and even breathing difficulties in some people, and it can also leach into the porous material of the retainer, making it difficult to completely rinse off, potentially causing further irritation in the mouth.
- Don’t soak your retainer in a chemical cleaning solution for more than 15-20 minutes.
- Avoid UV light sanitizers: UV light can damage acrylic by breaking down its molecular structure over time.
- Note of caution: Hydrogen peroxide can disrupt the oral microbiome if not properly washed off the retainer.
Non-Toxic & Retainer-Friendly Cleaners
Baking Soda– add 2 tablespoons baking soda to ¾ cup of warm water. Soak your retainer for 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Castile Soap– Make sure to use castile soap without essential oils, which can disrupt the oral microbiome. Combine ¾ cup of warm water with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Add 1-2 squirts of unscented castile soap. Soak your retainer for 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Aleavia Cleanser– This cleanser gently removes dirt and toxins, and contains only 7 non-toxic ingredients. Mix 2 drops of Aleavia Enzymatic Body Cleanse in ¾ cup of warm water. Soak your retainer for 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Branch Basics– Soak with All-Purpose (1 part concentrate to 11 parts water) and clean with a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly before using. Do not use Branch Basics on brand new dentures or dental appliances, such as retainers. Wait one month for the new appliance to be cured.
White Vinegar– Mix equal parts warm water and white vinegar in a clean stainless steel container. Then add 1 teaspoon baking soda to the mixture. Soak the retainer for 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Do this once per week.
All About Ultrasonic Retainer Cleaners
Ultrasonic retainer cleaners work by using high-frequency sound waves to create microscopic bubbles in a cleaning solution. These bubbles rapidly form and collapse in a process called cavitation, which generates tiny but powerful forces. The ultrasonic device gently cleans your appliance, eliminating bacteria and other contaminants without any abrasive techniques. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:
- Fill the reservoir with water or a cleaning solution designed for retainers (any of the non-toxic cleaning products I listed above will work).
- Submerge the retainer in the solution inside the ultrasonic cleaner.
- The device emits ultrasonic sound waves, typically in the range of 20,000 to 40,000 Hz. These waves agitate the liquid, forming millions of tiny bubbles.
- The bubbles rapidly collapse, creating intense pressure and heat on a microscopic scale. This cavitation process dislodges dirt, plaque, bacteria, and other debris from the surface and crevices of the retainer.
- The cleaning cycle typically lasts a few minutes, depending on the device.
- After the cleaning cycle, you may need to rinse the retainer with water to remove any residual cleaning solution.
Non-Toxic Cleaners For Retainers & Night Guards
Below you’ll find the best non-toxic cleaners to get your retainer or night guard germ-free and clean as a whistle.
Exluvon Ultrasonic Retainer Cleaner
Cost | $34.98
Highlights | This ultrasonic retainer cleaner uses 45kHz frequency vibration, which can be used with cleaning tablets and detergents for 360° deep cleaning, reduces odor by 99.99%, and removes stains from denture, retainer, mouth guard. (For heavier stains, replace the water 2-3 times for thorough cleaning.) The retainer cleaner has a capacity of 250ml, which is enough to hold most retainers and dentures. The inner tank of retainer cleaner is made of 304 food grade stainless steel.
Shop | Exluvon Ultrasonic Retainer Cleaner
Zima Dental Pod Ultrasonic Cleaner
Cost | $99
Highlights | This sonic cleaner uses high-frequency 42,000 Hz ultrasonic waves to scrub away stains and plaque while being non-abrasive to your dental appliance. The Tank Material is Stainless Steel.
Shop | Zima Dental Pod Ultrasonic Cleaner
Invisalign Cleaning Crystals
Cost | $44.99 (currently on sale)
Highlights | Works in 15 minutes to remove plaque from your aligners or retainers to keep them odor-free, hygienic and clear with non-toxic ingredients.
How To Use For Retainer Cleaner | Place your retainer in a container; Fill with warm water to immerse; Add a packet of Invisalign crystals; Agitate for 20 seconds to dissolve; Let stand for 15 minutes; Agitate for 20 seconds; Rinse thoroughly.
Shop | Invisalign Cleaning Crystals
Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
Cost | $17.33 for 7 lbs ($0.27 per ounce)
Highlights | Baking soda is great for cleaning retainers because it’s a natural, non-abrasive cleanser (dissolved in water) that helps remove plaque, odors, and stains without damaging the material. Its alkaline properties also neutralize bacteria and prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms, promoting better oral hygiene.
How To Use For Retainer Cleaner | Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to ¾ cup warm water. Soak your retainer for 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Shop | Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
Aleavia Enzymatic Body Cleanse
Cost | $24.99 for 16 oz ($1.48 per ounce)
Highlights | This is a much better non-toxic cleaning option than Dawn Dish Soap. It gently removes dirt and toxin, and contains only 7 ingredients- I wouldn’t be afraid of residue from any of these ingredients if they entered my mouth from the retainer. 100% natural and organic, non-toxic and GMO-free, chemical- and paraben-free, Environmentally-friendly, free of all fragrances and dyes.
How To Use For Retainer Cleaner | Mix 2 drops of Aleavia in 1 cup warm water. Soak your retainer for 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Shop | Aleavia Enzymatic Body Cleanse
Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Castile Soap
Cost | $8.76 for 8 oz ($1.10 per ounce)
Highlights | This soap is concentrated, scentless, versatile, and effective. Made with organic and certified fair trade ingredients. I would only use the essential oil-free version.
How To Use For Retainer Cleaner | Combine 3/4 cups of warm water with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Add 1-2 squirts of unscented castile soap. Soak your retainer for 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Shop | Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Castile Soap
Branch Basics
Cost | $55 for 33.8 oz ($1.63 per ounce) Concentrate
Highlights | This Concentrate is human-safe, effective and sustainable. The plant and mineral-based formula is created with the most sensitive in mind, is gentle enough to use on skin yet cuts grease and grime, and replaces all the toxic cleaning products in your home.
How To Use For Retainer Cleaner | Soak with All-Purpose (1 part concentrate to 11 parts water) and clean with a soft brush. Do not use Branch Basics on brand new dentures or dental appliances, such as retainers. Wait one month for the new appliance to be cured.
Shop | Branch Basics
Retainer Cleaner Containers & Storage Containers
Whether you need a non-toxic container to clean your retainer or store it, the ones below are all stainless steel with twist lids.
Coagu Stainless Steel Container With Twist Top– This container has an 8 oz capacity. 304 food grade stainless steel. The lid has a rubber seal. If you want to use this as a carrying case, you can drill a few holes for air flow with an HSS drill bit.
Swell 10 oz Stainless Steel Container– Composed of 18/8 premium food-grade stainless steel and has a leak-free lid.
Lunchbots Kids Leak Proof Snack Containers– These 4 oz containers feature a food grade 18/8 stainless steel base and BPA-free lids with silicone seals.
More Non-Toxic Dental Inspiration
