Quick answer: An orthodontic toothbrush is a small, soft brush made for the awkward spots on braces and removable appliances. For fixed braces, NHS patient guidance says to pair your toothbrush with an interdental or single-tufted brush. For retainers and aligners, use a soft brush with lukewarm water and mild soap, not toothpaste or hot water.
Blakmint's liquid cleaner is persulfate free and was tested under ASTM E2315: a 99.99% bacterial reduction at a 20-minute soak, for the sample tested. It is recommended by orthodontists we work with.
So, what is an orthodontic toothbrush, exactly?
Short version: it's a toothbrush that went to finishing school. [Polite applause.] Search for one and you'll find the phrase covering everything from a brush with a V-shaped notch to a tiny interdental brush that looks like a pipe cleaner's cousin. I own at least four of them, and I could not tell you which one I bought on purpose.
The honest answer is that "orthodontic toothbrush" means two different jobs, and mixing them up is how people end up with the wrong brush and a mild sense of betrayal. Job one is cleaning teeth with fixed braces on them. Job two is cleaning the removable bits, like retainers and aligners, once they're out of your mouth. Different jobs, different tools.
Job one: teeth with fixed braces
If you have brackets and wires glued to your teeth, this one is about your teeth, not your retainer. A North Cumbria NHS patient leaflet on keeping teeth clean with braces says to brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and after meals, using an electric or manual brush. It also says you need an interdental brush or a single-tufted brush to clean around the brackets and behind the wires, because their small heads reach places a regular toothbrush cannot.
That is a job for your orthodontist's team to show you in person, and I am a person with a keyboard and a retainer brush, so I'll leave the technique to them. If your orthodontist has given you a specific brush, use that one. It outranks me, the internet, and your cousin who "had braces once."
Job two: the retainer, aligner or guard in your hand
This is where Blakmint lives, and where a normal toothbrush starts to struggle. A retainer is a small object covered in grooves, edges and little curves, and a full-size toothbrush head sort of waves at them from a distance. I once tried to clean a retainer with my everyday toothbrush and ended up mostly cleaning my sink.
The Blakmint Retainer Brush is £6 and built for exactly this. Its listing describes dual angled bristles, slim bristles that reach contours and crevices, a non-slip grip, and a protective eco-friendly tube so it travels without getting lost in the bottom of a bag. It's listed as suitable for retainers, clear aligners, Invisalign trays, clip in veneers, night guards, sports mouthguards and snore guards.
The listing says the brush is designed to reach grooves, edges and hard-to-clean areas that standard toothbrushes can miss. I'd love to say I ran a lab trial on that. I did not. I ran a very unscientific trial on my own retainer, and the sink stayed cleaner.
The simple rules, whichever brush you pick
- Soft bristles, lukewarm water. Dandy's removable retainer patient guide says water should be no hotter than 45°C, because high heat will warp thermoplastic material.
- Skip the toothpaste on clear plastic. The same guide says not to use toothpaste or other abrasive cleaners, and WebMD warns that regular toothpaste may rub off the surface of a retainer. Mild soap is the usual swap.
- Use a brush that only does appliance duty. Some sources suggest keeping a separate brush for the retainer. Yes, it's a tiny wardrobe of brushes. Welcome to the club.
- Brush first, then soak. Brushing lifts the surface debris. A soak reaches what's left.
Your orthodontist's instructions for your specific appliance come first if they differ from any of this.
Where the soak comes in
A brush handles what it can touch. After that, a soak does the rest of the job in the nooks you can't see, which is also why I stopped pretending my eyesight is up to checking a retainer for bacteria. Blakmint's liquid cleaner is mixed at a 10% dilution (10ml cleaner to 90ml lukewarm water) for a soak of 5 to 20 minutes, with one occasional overnight soak at most. A 250ml bottle is £14 and lasts up to 5 months reused across 6-day batches.
Which brush for which job
| What you're cleaning | What to use |
|---|---|
| Teeth with fixed braces | Toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste plus an interdental or single-tufted brush, as your orthodontist shows you |
| Clear retainer or aligner | Soft brush, lukewarm water, mild soap, then a soak |
| Wire retainer, night guard, mouthguard | Soft brush and lukewarm water, then a soak in a cleaner made for the job |
Frequently asked
-
What is an orthodontic toothbrush?
It's a name for brushes made for braces and orthodontic appliances. For fixed braces that usually means a regular toothbrush plus an interdental or single-tufted brush. For removable appliances it means a small soft brush. -
Can I use a normal toothbrush on my retainer?
You can use a soft one with lukewarm water and mild soap, but a full-size head can struggle with small grooves and edges. A smaller brush made for appliances is easier to control. -
Should I use toothpaste on my retainer?
Not on clear plastic. Dandy's patient guide advises against toothpaste and other abrasive cleaners, and WebMD warns it may rub off the surface. -
How much is the Blakmint Retainer Brush?
£6. It comes in a protective eco-friendly tube. -
Is the Retainer Brush a replacement for the brush my orthodontist gave me?
No. If your orthodontist has given you a specific brush or routine for fixed braces, follow that.
Brush first, then soak. The Blakmint Liquid Retainer & Denture Cleaner is £14 for up to 5 months of use, persulfate free and ultrasonic-safe, and the Retainer Brush is £6.
Related reading: How to Clean Retainers (Wire and Clear, Properly) and Vivera Retainer Care: How to Clean and Look After Yours.
Sources: North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS, keeping teeth clean with braces; Dandy, removable retainer patient guide; WebMD, how to clean your retainer.