Should I buy a cleaning pod to keep my Invisalign retainers clean?
One popular question that has been coming up lately with our Invisalign patients is how best to keep their Invisalign aligners and retainers clean. Specifically, with a new product on the market for ultrasonic cleaning “pods” for use at home next to your sink, you may be wondering if this is worth it for your daily dental routine or if your existing methods may be inadequate.
While it can be nice to have a convenient device take care of the retainer or aligner cleaning for you, we think it can be just as effective to use the existing methods, such as using a separate toothbrush with soap or using dental cleaning tablets in water. Ultimately, we believe that the best method is the one that fits the patient’s lifestyle. It’s nice to have so many options, like the cleaning pods that can make life easier or help us stay on track with keeping our retainers clean.
We should also take a moment to address the need to keep your aligners and retainers clean. This applies to any removable dental appliance, including Hawley retainers, partial dentures, and mouthguards. Because these appliances cover some or all of your teeth, they can essentially “double” the amount of surface area in your mouth that food and, therefore, bacteria can become stuck to. This means that it’s almost just as important to keep your dental retainers clean as it is to keep your own teeth clean. However, unlike your teeth, dental appliances are made of resin, plastics, and metal and should not be cleaned with toothpaste. Most toothpaste is also meant to lightly polish your teeth and will be too abrasive for the materials in your dental appliance.
What are the different ways to clean my retainers?
When our patients start and finish Invisalign treatment, we provide information and a little amenity kit to help keep your aligners clean! During those appointments, we review the following methods for keeping your retainers clean:
Simple yet effective—use a separate toothbrush dedicated to cleaning your retainers. Brush the retainers with a small amount of non-scented hand soap or mild dish soap (like Dawn) and water. Pay special attention to the deepest parts of the retainer, typically on the front teeth. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Minimal effort, using a tablet—products like RetainerBrite or Invisalign’s cleaning crystals are used with a cup of clean water to “soak” and clean the retainers. The instructions vary on the timing, but for daily aligners, you may only get 30 minutes to an hour of time. With retainers, we recommend leaving them in the cleaning solution throughout the day when you are not wearing them. We still recommend brushing the retainers with mild soap periodically to ensure they are clean!
In addition to the two methods mentioned, we recommend that all patients who have retainers or mouthguards bring them in for their regular six-month checkup and cleaning appointments. Our ultrasonic cleaner can use a unique solution made for deep cleaning retainers and appliances. This is essentially the same technology used in the dental pod appliances.
Is the dental cleaning pod worth it?
With the introduction of these new devices, it can be more convenient and provide a deep clean on your retainers with minimal effort. However, we don’t believe it is necessary as other alternatives can do the same job effectively. The benefits of the ultrasonic cleaning pod for use at home would be:
Convenience – since you place the retainer in the pod and turn it on, it is easy to make into a daily habit
Repeatability – the pod also makes a dedicated place on your counter that also looks nice, rather than perhaps a dedicated cup or glass for other soaking methods
Deep clean – if you are particularly worried about daily cleanliness, the pod can provide a higher level of cleaning daily
Some cons for the dental pod are:
Added cost – the alternatives are most certainly cheaper and do not require charging
Portability - a spare toothbrush or tablets are also easier to travel with, and without an internal battery to consider when traveling through airports
Environmental – while some toothbrushes are better than others, it is certainly better than electronic device with a battery when considering end-of-life and proper disposal or recycling of the dental pod
Ultimately, there is no direct recommendation for or against the newer dental cleaning pods. It is best to consider your lifestyle and habits to see if the additional cost and considerations for long-term use are worth it. We recommend trying the traditional soak or brush methods when starting Invisalign or retainers and seeing how those work for you. If you find them too inconvenient or skip retainer cleaning altogether, we suggest a dental cleaning pod as an alternative to help out.
If you need new retainers, cleanings, or Invisalign treatment, please contact our office or make an appointment online!
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