5 steps to clean your retainer, aligner or Essix clear splint

Dear patient, if you want to avoid seeing your dentist more often than necessary, remember to clean and look after your dental splint, retainer or aligner properly, as this will help you avoid infections and other problems in your mouth.

Follow these steps to clean and care for your splint correctly:

1. Rinse: Once you have taken the splint out of your mouth, the first thing to do is rinse it with water.
2. Brush: You will need a small, soft brush to reach into the nooks and crannies and remove any bacteria that have built up. You can use mild, neutral soap once or twice a week, but not toothpaste, as it is too harsh. *Important: Do not use the same toothbrush you use for your oral hygiene.
3. Disinfect: You will need effervescent cleaning tablets, which you can buy at a pharmacy. These tablets will stop the build-up of the bacteria that cause bad odours.
4. Dry: It is important to let the splint dry or to use kitchen paper to dry it, as moisture is the favourite environment of fungi and bacteria.
5. Store: Always keep your retainer or aligner in its case to keep it in good condition.

Extra tips for being the perfect patient

1. Avoid heat: If you put your retainer in hot or boiling water, or in the dishwasher, you are very likely to damage the splint and make it lose its shape.
2. Brush gently: If you use a soft brush and avoid rough movements, you won’t damage the retainer.
3. Make it a habit: Create a cleaning routine, so that your splint stays in good condition consistently, every day.
4. Always rinse it: hold the splint under the tap to rinse it well.
5. Don’t forget to clean the case too: The case can also collect germs. It needs to be cleaned.