I’ve been so paranoid about staining since I started wearing these trays. I swear, the first week I was convinced I’d ruined them just from one cup of tea. Tried the straw thing too—felt silly, and like you said, it didn’t help much. Plus, I always worried I’d forget and take a sip without thinking.
Rinsing right after eating or drinking anything but water has become my little ritual now. If I’m out, I’ll just swish water in my mouth and hope for the best until I can get home. It’s not elegant, but it beats scrubbing yellow patches later. Those cleaning crystals are a game changer, though—I thought it was just another gimmick at first, but they really do help with that cloudy look.
Honestly, sometimes it feels like more work than brushing my actual teeth. But yeah, I’d rather deal with a bit of hassle than end up with stained trays. Still wish there was a magic fix... but for now, this is what’s working for me too.
Honestly, sometimes it feels like more work than brushing my actual teeth. But yeah, I’d rather deal with a bit of hassle than end up with stained trays.
That line hit home for me. I’m on my third set of trays and honestly, I swear they’ve made me more obsessive about cleaning than I ever was with my real teeth. I get what you mean about the straw thing—tried that a few times and felt like I was pretending to be in some weird dental science experiment. Plus, hot drinks through a straw just never worked for me.
The cleaning crystals surprised me too. I thought they were just another “must-have” the ortho’s office pushes, but the first time I used them, the trays actually looked clearer. Not perfect, but definitely less cloudy. Sometimes I wonder if regular denture tablets would do the same job though? They’re cheaper and easier to find at the drugstore. Has anyone tried swapping out the crystals for those tablets long-term?
I’ve also started keeping a little travel toothbrush in my bag, which helps when I’m out and can’t properly rinse. Feels awkward in public restrooms sometimes, but better than having coffee stains set in all day.
One thing that keeps bugging me is whether all this extra cleaning is wearing down the trays faster. My last pair got these tiny scratches after a month or so—maybe from brushing too hard? Or maybe it’s just normal wear and tear... Kind of makes me nervous that I’m doing more harm than good by trying to keep them spotless.
Curious if anyone else has noticed their trays getting scratched up over time from all this cleaning? Or maybe there’s a gentler way to keep them clear without making them look worn out before you’re done with that set.
One thing that keeps bugging me is whether all this extra cleaning is wearing down the trays faster.
I’ve been super paranoid about scratching my trays too. I actually switched to using just my fingers and a tiny dab of clear soap most days, then rinse a ton. I tried brushing gently, but even with a soft brush, those fine scratches started showing up. It makes me second-guess myself every time I clean them, honestly. Haven’t tried denture tablets yet because I’m worried they’ll be too harsh... maybe that’s just me overthinking it?
I tried brushing gently, but even with a soft brush, those fine scratches started showing up.
I’ve noticed the same thing—those micro-scratches add up over time. It’s wild how even the softest brush can leave marks. I’ve read that denture tablets are generally safe if you don’t soak too long, but I get being cautious. The clear soap approach seems gentler, but I wonder if it’s enough to keep the trays truly clean? It’s a tough balance between avoiding scratches and keeping stains away.
The clear soap approach seems gentler, but I wonder if it’s enough to keep the trays truly clean?
I get that worry. I tried the clear soap thing for a while, but honestly, I kept second-guessing if it was actually getting rid of all the bacteria. It feels safer than scrubbing, but I still worry about buildup over time. I’ve also read that even “soft” brushes can be abrasive depending on how you use them—sometimes it’s more about pressure than bristle softness. It’s so hard to find that sweet spot between clean and scratch-free... I wish there was a magic solution.
