Do dentists recommend using an ultrasonic cleaner for my retainer? (2025) - Dr. Chloe Harrington-Taylor

Dr. Chloe Harrington-Taylor: Best Young Dentist South West & Wales 2022 (UK)

Dr. Chloe Harrington-Taylor: I often come across patients who are unsure how to clean their retainers properly. The Dental Pod offers a convenient way to support retainer cleaning as part of a regular care routine. I recommend using it regularly to help maintain your retainer.

Click here to order your Dental Pod now for a sparkling clean retainer!

Dr. Harrington-Taylor, what experience do you have with retainers?

I graduated from the University of Bristol (UK) in 2013, where I received a distinction in restorative dentistry and was awarded the prestigious British Society for Restorative Dentistry Prize.

I have treated thousands of patients with Invisalign followed by retainers to hold the result.

I recently won the Best Young Dentist South West & Wales 2022 (UK).

Please click the following link to find my current practice, Lodge Dental.

I also practice in Hereford and Cheltenham.

Do I really need to clean my retainer?

Residue and buildup from your oral environment can transfer onto your retainer over time, which is why regular cleaning is an important part of maintaining your appliance.

A study using microscopy observed that buildup can begin forming on dental plastics within a short period of use.

You should not believe the following retainer cleaning myths:

• Retainers are clean, as long as you regularly brush your teeth and do not eat when wearing a retainer
• You need to allow good bacteria to develop on your retainer, and cleaning disrupts these bacteria

I recommend that you clean your retainer regularly using the Dental Pod as part of your routine, particularly if you notice the following signs that your retainer may need cleaning:

• Your retainer smells or tastes bad
• There is a film on your retainer
• Your retainer looks cloudy
• There are white spots on your retainer
  
  

What are ultrasonic retainer cleaners?

The Dental Pod is an ultrasonic retainer cleaner, using high-frequency 42,000 Hz ultrasonic waves to vibrate a cleaning solution and produce millions of nano-scale bubbles.

The vibrations and microbubbles act across the surface of your retainers, helping to dislodge debris and buildup, including in smaller or harder-to-reach areas.

Is an ultrasonic retainer cleaner necessary?

Some traditional cleaning methods may not always address buildup in all areas of the appliance, and certain approaches may not be suitable for all materials.

A study using microscopy compared different cleaning approaches and observed differences in how effectively they address buildup on dental plastics, including when ultrasonic cleaning is used alongside a tablet.

Debris and microorganisms are found in the rough surfaces of your retainer which are hard to clean with traditional methods.

The Dental Pod is designed to help act on areas of the retainer that may be harder to reach with manual cleaning methods.

Do ultrasonic retainer cleaners actually work?

The British Dental Journal stated that the Dental Pod is a convenient way to deep clean oral appliances.

Research has explored ultrasonic cleaning as an alternative approach to traditional methods such as rinsing with water or soaking in a solution.

A study found that ultrasonic cleaners are significantly more effective at cleaning retainers than brushing.

Another study found that ultrasonic cleaning enhances traditional methods to clean retainers soaked in tea for 28 days.

That is why I suggest using a Zima Ultrasonic Boosting Tablet with your Dental Pod to support the cleaning process.

Is it safe to clean my retainer with an ultrasonic cleaner?

The continued use of an ultrasonic cleaner can be incorporated as part of a regular retainer care routine.

Ultrasonic cleaning does not rely on direct scrubbing and has been widely used in professional and clinical settings as part of cleaning processes.

Given that high temperatures can damage retainers, choosing an ultrasonic cleaner specifically designed for oral appliances, such as the Dental Pod, is very important.

Are ultrasonic cleaners safe for my type of retainers?

The Zima Dental team have tested the following types of retainer to make sure they can be safely and effectively cleaned:

How do ultrasonic cleaners clean my retainer?

Ultrasonic cleaners generate high-frequency vibrations. Vibrations clean your retainer in two ways:

1. The liquid is forced against the surface of your retainer when vibrating, deep cleaning the appliance. 

2. Tiny bubbles formed by the vibration of the cleaner expand and collapse rapidly, creating a mechanical action that helps dislodge debris and buildup from the surface of your retainer without the need for abrasive scrubbing.

In the Dental Pod, the 2nd action (called ‘cavitation’) occurs on average 4000 times per second. All surfaces and gaps of your retainer are continuously cleaned in a short but thorough cleaning cycle.

Is it easy to clean my retainer with an ultrasonic cleaner? 

There are only 4 simple steps to clean your retainer with an ultrasonic cleaner:

• Fill the Dental Pod with water and add an Ultrasonic Boosting Tablet

Fill your Dental Pod's tank to the max line indicated with room temperature water, and plug the device into a wall socket.

Drop in an Ultrasonic Boosting Tablet to enhance the cleaning effect and leave a refreshing minty aftertaste on your guard. 

• Place your retainer in the water

Fully submerge your retainer into the liquid and ensure no air bubbles are trapped to unlock the full effects of ultrasonic cleaning.

• Turn on the Dental Pod

Put the lid on your Pod, turn the machine on and let it run for its self-timed 5 minute cycle.

Studies have shown that 5 minutes is the perfect amount of time to leave your oral appliance in the cleaner.

• Retrieve your clean retainer from the Dental Pod

Your retainer will now feel clean and refreshed after each cycle. It's worth giving your guard a quick rinse to remove any loose debris.

I hope that you’re now more confident about taking care of your retainer. If you need more advice, please don’t hesitate to contact Zima Dental customer support at support@zimadental.co.uk