How to Remove White Buildup From a Retainer

If your retainer has a chalky white crust that does not rinse off, you are looking at hardened plaque and mineral deposits from saliva. On teeth, this is called tartar. On a retainer it forms the same way, and it gets harder the longer it sits.

Why brushing alone does not work

Once the deposits harden, a brush slides over them. Scrubbing harder only scratches the plastic and creates more rough places for the next layer to grip. The deposits need to be loosened first.

What works

Soaking with a cleaning tablet. Dissolve one of our retainer cleaner tablets in a cup of warm, not hot, water and soak the retainer for the time on the package. The solution softens the deposits so a gentle brush can lift them.

An ultrasonic cycle. An ultrasonic retainer cleaner uses sound waves to form tiny bubbles in the water. The bubbles collapse against the surface of the retainer and shake deposits loose, including in places a brush cannot reach. Stubborn buildup may take two cycles.

Both together. For heavy buildup, run the ultrasonic cycle with a cleaning tablet dissolved in the water.

What to avoid

• Scraping with a fingernail, knife or pick, which gouges the plastic.
• Bleach or undiluted vinegar, which can damage the plastic and metal parts.
• Boiling or hot water, which warps the retainer.

Keeping it from coming back

Deposits form from saliva left to dry. Rinsing the retainer every time you take it out and deep cleaning a few times a week stops the crust before it starts.

If it will not come off

Deposits that have been building for months may not come off completely at home. Your orthodontist can clean the retainer professionally or tell you whether it is time for a new one.

This article is general care information and is not medical advice. Follow the instructions from your dentist, orthodontist or the maker of your appliance.