Ultrasonic cleaning is one of the easiest ways to keep your dental appliances fresh, from dentures and retainers to clear aligners, night guards and mouth guards. However, using plain water in your ultrasonic dental cleaner is often not enough: plaque, stains, tartar build-up and odours can still remain on your appliances.
Of course, there are special dental cleaning solutions and tablets on the market, and they can give noticeably better results. But buying them on a regular basis can add up, and sometimes you just run out at the wrong moment.
Don't worry, we've got you covered! There is an easy, gentle and inexpensive way to make a homemade dental cleaning solution, and you most likely already have the ingredients in your kitchen. In this article, we'll show you how to make it in just a couple of minutes.
Ingredients:
- Lukewarm water
- Baking soda
- White vinegar (optional, for limescale and tartar)
Instructions:
Step 1: Collect all the ingredients in one place
Make sure you have a cup of lukewarm water and some baking soda. If your appliance has visible white limescale or tartar spots, also have some white vinegar ready. That's really all you need!
Step 2: Dissolve the baking soda in water
Take a cup or any other container, pour in about 250 ml (one cup) of lukewarm water and add one teaspoon of baking soda. Please use lukewarm water only, never hot or boiling water, as high temperatures can warp or deform dentures, retainers and aligners.
Step 3: Time to stir it!
Stir the mixture well until the baking soda is completely dissolved. If you have a container with a lid, close it and give it a good shake for about half a minute. Your homemade dental cleaning solution is now ready to use.
Step 4: Apply the solution
Rinse your appliance under running water first to remove any loose food particles. Then fill the tank of your ultrasonic dental cleaner with the freshly made solution and place the appliance inside. Make sure the appliance is fully covered and the solution does not go above the "max" line. Now turn on the cleaner and let it do the job.
Step 5: Optional vinegar cycle for limescale and tartar
If there are still white spots or hardened deposits, you can run an extra cycle with a mix of equal parts white vinegar and lukewarm water (ratio 1:1). Always use the vinegar mix in a separate cycle and never combine it with the baking soda solution, as the two simply neutralise each other. Please note: vinegar is not recommended for appliances with metal parts (such as partial dentures with metal clasps or retainers with wires), so for those, stick to the baking soda solution.
Step 6: Rinse the appliance with clean water
Once the cleaning cycle is complete, take your appliance out and rinse it thoroughly under clean running water to remove all residues of the cleaning solution before putting it back in your mouth. If you'd like to clean it one more time, empty the tank, rinse it with water and fill it with a fresh portion of the solution. Never reuse an old solution, as it holds the plaque, bacteria and debris from the previous cleaning.
A few things to avoid
To keep your dental appliances in good shape, avoid hot or boiling water, bleach and other household cleaners, and toothpaste in the cleaning tank. These can damage, discolour or wear down the material over time. If your dentist or the appliance manufacturer has given you specific cleaning instructions, always follow those first.
Want the easiest option of all?
If you don't feel like mixing ingredients or simply want something ready to go, we've got a shortcut for you. Our dental appliance cleaning tablets are a quick, no-mess alternative to homemade solutions. Just drop one tablet into the water, let it dissolve, and your ultrasonic dental cleaner is instantly prepped with a perfectly balanced, ready-to-use cleaning solution. No measuring, no guesswork, no spills. They deliver consistent, fresh cleaning results for dentures, retainers, aligners and night guards, especially on busy days when you just want things done.
Conclusion:
Making your own dental cleaning solution at home is easy, affordable and perfect for everyday care. With just lukewarm water and a little baking soda, you can create a gentle homemade solution that helps your ultrasonic dental cleaner remove plaque, stains and odours from your appliances. And if you ever want an even faster and more convenient option, our mfa dental appliance cleaning tablets are a fantastic ready-to-use alternative. Whether you choose the DIY mix or the tablets, you'll be surprised how much fresher your appliances feel. Give it a try, you'll love the results!