Retainer Cleaning Question

Message

#1 Post by **bbsadmin** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 4:48 pm

Hey everyone,

I have a question for people who are wearing their retainers 24/7 or at least for a significant portion of the day.

When you take out your retainer to eat, you probably put it in a retainer case of some sort. Before you pop it back in your mouth, do you rinse it with water -- or feel the need to rinse it or clean it before you put it back in your mouth?

And -- if so, how would you feel about an individually packaged "retainer wipe" that cleaned your retainer before you put it back in your mouth? This sort of product would take the place of rinsing your retainer with water. It would NOT take the place of thoroughly cleaning your retainer later at home.

OK now, if a "retainer wipe" existed, what do you think the requirements for it should be? Should it kill germs? Should it taste like mint, cinnamon or berries -- or be tasteless?

I have my own thoughts on the subject, but I'd love to hear other people's thoughts.

Thanks,
Lynn

#2 Post by **Xero** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 7:50 pm

I think wipes would be good for the standard retainer, but for the clear essix ones, there should be moist q-tips.

I think the wipes should be tasteless, as people don't always want an extra taste in their mouth after eating. Antibacterial wipes are a must. If it's not antibacterial, then you can just wet a paper towel and clean the retainer.

#3 Post by **Attagirl2** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 1:34 am

Lynn, what a great idea! I will be in retainers soon and would love to be able to have a supply of these wipes, in addition to cleaning tablets. I vote for tasteless for the same reason as Xero. (I like all the flavors listed, but not everyone does). Definately have some cleaning properties.

Also, is there anyway you could sell a retainer or an envelope that sticks to the retainer (and holds two or three of these wipes), so that the two are kept together?

#4 Post by **ThisIsMary** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:13 am

I think retainer wipes would be great! I'm not in retainers yet but I will be in 2 days and cleaning the retainer was something I was wondering about. I'll be getting Hawleys top and bottom so I could really use them. I would want it to kill germs and the flavor wouldn't really matter. If there was a slight icky taste to it then I would recommend the mint or berry flavor to cover it up. Maybe you could sell them in three varieties, no flavor, berry, and mint. You could also make a variety pack and sell all three in one.

#5 Post by **garrettnb** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 3:46 pm

As you may or may not know i have been wearing a retainer for 6 months now to try and avoid braces. Were working really hard to not go down the braces road. I nearly never rinse my retainer after eating. If anything i rinse my mouth out with water. But i would try some antibacterial whipes if they came around. Mint wouldn't be bad if there was a flavour but nothing is good too.