Can You Vape With Retainers In?
What happens to your retainer when you vape and what orthodontists recommend.
Shop E-Liquids Browse Pod KitsQuick answer: It is not recommended. Vaping with a retainer in can stain and warp the plastic, accelerate bacterial build-up and expose the retainer material to chemicals it was not designed to withstand. The consistent advice from orthodontists is to remove your retainer before vaping and rinse your mouth before reinserting.
Retainers are made from materials: typically thermoplastic or acrylic: that are not designed to be exposed to the heat, chemicals and aerosol particles present in vape vapour. Using them while vaping can shorten their lifespan and create hygiene issues that affect your oral health.
How Vaping Affects Different Retainer Types
| Retainer type | Staining risk | Warping risk | Hygiene risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear plastic (Essix/vacuum-formed) | High: transparent plastic absorbs discolouration | Moderate: heat from vapour can soften plastic | High: vapour deposits on surface |
| Hawley (wire and acrylic) | Moderate: acrylic can yellow over time | Low: more robust construction | Moderate: more surface area to clean |
| Bonded/fixed retainer | Low: bonded to teeth, not removable | None: permanently fixed | Low: same as general oral hygiene |
What Specifically Causes the Damage?
Clear retainers face three main risks from vaping. Propylene glycol and flavouring compounds can be absorbed into the plastic surface over time, causing gradual yellowing. The warm vapour, particularly from higher-powered devices, can cause minor softening of the thermoplastic material if it contacts the retainer directly. And the general drying effect of vaping increases bacterial growth in the mouth, which affects anything sitting against your teeth and gums.
Risk of damage to a clear retainer from different habits
Longer bar = greater risk of staining, warping or shortening retainer lifespan.
The Right Routine
- Do not vape with your retainer in: remove it first every time
- Do not store your retainer in direct sunlight or near heat sources
- Do not rinse your retainer in hot water: it can cause warping
- Remove your retainer before vaping
- Store it in its case while you vape
- Rinse your mouth with water before reinserting the retainer
- Clean your retainer daily with a retainer cleaning tablet or mild soap: not toothpaste, which is abrasive
- Drink plenty of water to counteract the dry mouth effect of vaping, which helps keep the retainer environment cleaner
Your retainer is expensive to replace. A replacement clear retainer typically costs between £100 and £300 in the UK. The small inconvenience of removing it before vaping is far cheaper than replacing a yellowed or warped tray.