nothing worse than popping in a retainer that tastes like old socks
Totally relate to that nightmare... I swear, my sense of taste is forever scarred from one time I left mine out overnight. I’ve found that if I rinse it right when I take it out, even before brushing, it’s way less likely to get that funk. The fizzy tablets are my backup too, but I do think they can make the plastic feel a bit weird if I use them too often. Anyone else notice that, or am I just imagining things?
The fizzy tablets are my backup too, but I do think they can make the plastic feel a bit weird if I use them too often.
That’s not just you—I’ve noticed that too. My retainer gets this kind of squeaky texture after using those tablets a few days in a row. It’s like it loses that smooth feeling and almost feels brittle? I started alternating between the tablets and just a good old-fashioned toothbrush scrub (no toothpaste though, since apparently that can scratch them up).
Leaving it out overnight is honestly the worst. The smell is… something else. I keep a little case by my bed so even if I’m half-asleep, I remember to stash it properly. Rinsing right away definitely helps, but sometimes I still get lazy and regret it later.
Funny enough, my orthodontist once told me to avoid mouthwash with alcohol for soaking because it can mess with the plastic too. Never would’ve thought about that if he hadn’t mentioned it.
I totally relate to the “squeaky” texture after using those cleaning tablets. It’s weirdly satisfying but also a little unsettling, right? I’ve had better luck just giving mine a gentle scrub with a super soft brush (I skip toothpaste too—learned that lesson the hard way). The smell from leaving it out is honestly enough to haunt my dreams. I’m not always perfect about rinsing, but keeping a case nearby definitely helps. And yeah, the alcohol in mouthwash—who knew it could mess things up? Now I stick to water or the occasional tablet when things get desperate.
The “squeaky” feeling is so real—it’s like, is it super clean or just stripped of something important? I’m always worried about overdoing it with the cleaning tablets, so I mostly rely on a soft brush too. Honestly, skipping toothpaste is a must. I made that mistake once and my retainer got all cloudy and weird.
Leaving it out, though… yikes. That smell lingers way too long. I get anxious if it’s out of the case for more than a minute. I know some people say mouthwash is fine, but I’ve had only bad luck—
—it totally warped mine. Now I just stick to water and a case within arm’s reach. It’s kind of a pain, but after losing one retainer to “mystery buildup,” I’m not taking chances.the alcohol in mouthwash—who knew it could mess things up?
The mouthwash thing is wild—I had a similar experience, but honestly, I’ve gone back to using it (just the alcohol-free kind). I get what you’re saying about the warping, though. The regular stuff totally messed up my first retainer, and my ortho was not amused. But I’ve found that the kids’ mouthwash, or anything labeled “alcohol-free,” doesn’t seem to cause any issues for me. I just give it a quick soak, then rinse with water.
I do still use cleaning tablets, but only like once a week. When I tried using them more often, my retainer got that weird squeaky feeling too, almost like it was losing its smoothness? Now I just brush it with a soft toothbrush and a bit of dish soap—not toothpaste—and it seems to keep the cloudiness away.
Leaving it out is a no-go for me too. If I forget and it’s out for even half an hour, the smell is so gross I end up scrubbing it forever. Not sure if that’s normal, but I guess everyone’s got their own weird retainer rituals.
