The idea of using denture tablets seems smart though—are those actually safe for the plastic? I always worry about things getting brittle.
I had the same concern at first. My dentist actually recommended using denture tablets every so often, but not daily, since over time they can dry out certain plastics. I stick to a gentle rinse most days and maybe use a tablet once a week if things look cloudy. And yeah, leaving trays in a hot car is a rookie mistake—I did that once and they warped so badly they were useless. Learned my lesson real quick...
I’ve seen a few trays come in where folks tried to clean them with every tablet under the sun, and sometimes the plastic does get a bit cloudy or brittle after a while. I usually tell people less is more—just a gentle brush and rinse most days. One patient microwaved hers (trying to “sterilize” them) and, well... she needed new trays. Heat and harsh cleaners are definitely the main culprits for damage in my experience.
My kiddo managed to “clean” his trays by leaving them in his backpack for a week with a half-eaten banana. Not exactly the sterilization method I’d recommend… but hey, at least he didn’t try the microwave trick. I’ve found a quick rinse and a soft brush work best—the less drama, the longer they last. Kids and their creative cleaning ideas, right?
Kids and their creative cleaning ideas, right?
That banana story reminds me of the time a patient brought in trays that smelled suspiciously like peanut butter. Apparently, their teen thought it’d be “efficient” to store them with a lunchbox. I always say, a gentle brush and lukewarm water go a long way—no need for culinary experiments. The less fuss, the better. Kids sure keep us on our toes.
- That peanut butter smell… I totally get it. My little brother once tried to “sanitize” his mouthguard with orange soda.
- Agree, simple is best—just water and a brush works wonders. No need to get fancy or mix lunch and dental stuff.
- Kids’ logic keeps things interesting, though. You never know what they’ll try next.
- At least reusable trays can handle a bit of chaos, right? Makes life easier for everyone.
