Are you aware of the importance of regularly maintaining your oral healthcare devices? Whether you have a mouth guard, retainer, or clear aligners, regularly cleaning and sanitizing these products is essential for keeping them in good condition and ensuring your mouth stays healthy.
While many people understand the significance of brushing and flossing their teeth daily to keep their pearly whites looking nice and healthy, few consider that their oral gear needs just as much attention. This blog post will cover why regular maintenance is essential and what you can do to ensure that your retainers, mouth guards, or clear aligners are clean and safe. Read on to learn more!
3 Reasons Why You Should Clean Your Oral Devices
Are you wondering why cleaning and looking after your oral hygiene items is worth the work? Let’s take a step back and look at the bigger picture — here are three reasons why cleaning your oral devices should be a priority.
1. To Prevent Damage to Your Teeth
To prevent damage and ensure your teeth stay healthy, it’s important to keep your retainers, mouth guards, and other clear aligners clean. Bacteria build-up on these oral devices can cause serious harm to the enamel of your teeth and lead to problems like cavities, bad breath, and other issues. Proactive maintenance is crucial to avoid these issues; give them the same care you would with regular brushing and flossing.
2. To Prolong the Life of Your Oral Gear
When it comes to oral gear, sometimes it feels like money is going down the drain. Nobody wants to spend a chunk of their paycheck on replacements and repairs that weren’t necessary. That’s why regular cleaning and sanitizing are key in maintaining and prolonging the life of your products — they will help you save some hard-earned money while keeping your mouth healthy!
With just a little routine maintenance, you can ensure your oral gear lasts as long as possible.
3. To Avoid Unpleasant Smells
Do you know that feeling when your mouth has an unpleasant smell? Unfortunately, it’s not just bad breath — it could be caused by unclean oral gear. As mentioned, bacteria can quickly accumulate on retainers and mouth guards, creating a perfect environment for odors to develop. However, regular cleaning and disinfecting prevent these problems from occurring in the first place, ensuring that your mouth is healthy and free of unwanted smells.
How To Clean Mouth Guards, Retainers, and Clear Aligners
It all starts with a familiar greeting — hello, sanitization! Now that we’ve gone over why cleaning your oral gear is essential, let’s dive into the steps you can take to ensure efficiency. The process is easier than expected and requires just a few simple steps. Here are some noteworthy suggestions to help you maintain your products.
1. Rinse Your Oral Gear With Lukewarm or Cool Water After Every Use
This is a must-do. After every use, rinse your oral gear with lukewarm or cool water to ensure no food particles and bacteria are cleaned off. Never use hot water, as it can damage your products over time.
2. Use Toothpaste and a Soft Toothbrush To Clean Your Oral Gear
It’s essential to keep your oral gear free from plaque and bacteria, so here’s a great cleaning tip: use toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. This simple cleaning process helps ensure that any lingering residue is removed with care. However, it is essential that you brush gently to avoid any accidental damage. Let it dry completely before placing the appliance back in its case.
3. Disinfect Your Oral Gear Regularly
In addition to brushing and rinsing, it’s also important to disinfect your oral gear regularly. This can be done with an antibacterial solution or hydrogen peroxide and vinegar. These two natural ingredients are effective in killing bacteria and reducing the risk of any potential infections.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Rinse your oral gear with lukewarm or cool water.
- Submerge your oral device in a glass of vinegar until it is completely covered for optimal sanitation. Let it sit for 30 minutes.
- After you’re done with your mouth guard, give it a cool water rinse before carefully washing the glass.
- Place the mouth guard back into the clean glass and submerge it entirely in hydrogen peroxide.
- Soak the mouth guard in hydrogen peroxide for 30 minutes to ensure thorough disinfection.
- Rinse and let your mouth guard dry completely.
This process is best for oral gear that does not have metal. If you have a mouth guard with metal pieces, reduce each soaking time to 10 or 15 minutes.
4. Clean Your Oral Gear Using a Remi Ultrasonic Cleaner
The Remi Ultrasonic Cleaner is an effective and convenient way to keep your oral gear clean and hygienic. The ultrasonic technology uses high-frequency sound waves to create microscopic bubbles that penetrate deep into hard-to-reach areas, removing plaque, bacteria, and other debris that can build up on your oral gear. With its compact size and easy-to-use design, the Remi Ultrasonic Cleaner is a must-have for anyone looking to maintain a healthy, clean mouth and preserve the longevity of their oral gear.
5. Keep Your Oral Gear Stored in a Clean Container
Always be mindful of where and how you store your oral care items — this is just as important as keeping them clean. A clean, dry container is the best place to store them when not in use. This will help reduce the risk of exposing your tools to harmful bacteria and other environmental elements, such as dust particles, that can damage them or even make them less effective in aligning your teeth properly.
Closing Thoughts
Proper cleaning and maintenance of your oral care items are critical for good oral health. Taking proactive steps to clean your oral gear can ensure your mouth stays healthy and odor-free. Regularly brushing, rinsing, and disinfecting your retainers, mouth guards, and clear aligners will help ensure they remain in good condition for the longest time possible.
If you are looking for custom mouth guards that offer the perfect fit and comfort level, Remi provides a great selection of top-quality products designed to last. From our custom-fit night guards and teeth whitening products to our dental accessories, we have everything you need for oral care. Shop now at shopremi.com and see why Remi is the top choice for everyone!
