I've never tried denture tablets myself, but my sister swears by diluted white vinegar for her retainers. She says it cleans them really well without any scratches or cloudiness. I was skeptical at first—vinegar seems harsh—but apparently it's gentle enough if you dilute it properly. Might be worth a shot if you're worried about those micro-scratches...
"I was skeptical at first—vinegar seems harsh—but apparently it's gentle enough if you dilute it properly."
Yeah, vinegar surprised me too! My dentist actually recommended diluted vinegar for my night guard, and I've been using it ever since. No cloudiness or scratches so far... But now I'm curious—has anyone tried baking soda paste for retainers or mouthguards? I've heard mixed things about abrasiveness, but some swear it's gentle enough. Wondering if that's another toothpaste hack worth exploring or better to avoid?
I've actually tried baking soda paste on my retainer before, and honestly, it worked pretty well. I was worried about abrasiveness too, but I made sure to mix it into a really smooth paste—just a tiny bit of baking soda with enough water to keep it gentle. Used my finger instead of a toothbrush to avoid scratches. No cloudiness or damage yet, but I only do it occasionally...still prefer diluted vinegar for regular cleaning.
"vinegar seems harsh—but apparently it's gentle enough if you dilute it properly."
Exactly! Dilution is key with these DIY methods.
Totally agree about dilution being the key here. I've used diluted white vinegar myself a few times on my aligners, and it definitely gets rid of any funky smells without causing discoloration. Just gotta rinse thoroughly afterward to avoid that lingering vinegar taste...not exactly minty fresh, haha. Baking soda paste sounds interesting too—might give your finger method a shot next time since I've always worried about scratching mine up with a brush. Thanks for sharing!
I've never tried vinegar myself, mostly because I can't stand the smell even diluted...it just lingers for me. Honestly, I've been using a soft-bristle baby toothbrush with regular toothpaste (just a tiny dab) and haven't noticed any scratches or cloudiness yet. The trick is to brush super gently and rinse right away. It's budget-friendly, and my aligners still look pretty clear. Might be worth trying before switching completely to finger cleaning?
