After a week + with the retainers, I find the CLEANING the biggest chore in wearing these. Frankly, they get pretty gross, and you really see how quickly plaque can build up and become calculus or tartar.
Essix (clear) retainer
- Requires more care in cleaning because of the nooks and crannies, and also the material which is more fragile
- Q-tip: this seems to be the best for cleaning in the nooks and crannies. Not using a toothbrush, except in the back molars, because it can scratch the plastic. Apparently you can’t really see it once the retainer is on, but I’d rather minimize the wear. Also, the cotton swab gets in better.
- Liquid soap and diluted mouth wash: Use these in addition to water and fingers and Q-tip to clean.
Hawley retainer
- Use brush and toothpaste to clean. Even though I’ve only had for a few days, I notice that I should have cleaned better. It will build up.
The ortho office gave me some tablets to use every 3 weeks or so to soak the retainers. I suppose they break down the plaque/tartar.
Some options I’ve read about include:
- RetainerFresh (tablets)
- Retainer Brite (tablets; I think these are the ones I got from the ortho office)
- Sonic Brite (batter-powered machine)
- half a cup of vinegar and half a cup of water overnight
- swish mouth with a mouthwash of 1/2 hydrogen peroxide & half water
I’ll research and share results/experiences. I’m particularly interested in the sonic machines, even though I don’t want more gadgets. But as I’ve written before, I love my Sonicare toothbrush, so more open to gadgets than I’ve been in the past.
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April 29, 2008 at 7:39 am
Sasha
I’m about to get my braces off in a few weeks.
I went to my orthodontist yesterday.
They had to fix a gap that was caused by something from the last visit.
I’m really excited. Although i am kinda of sad because i want to be symmetric. i want my top and bottom teeth to line up in the front center.
But then again i really want to get my braces off. I wonder if i am being to picky but hey i payed for them and they got all their money. i should have what i want. i believe. Ive been asking a lot of questions while i have been there.
It was kind of bad though.
My orthodontist took a quick look at my teeth and said in 6 weeks they will be ready to come off. But i had to point out the gap. It made me unnerved because i thought he would do a better look through. i guess. Then the assistant didn’t seem as friendly when i was there. i get the same one. it kind of made me a little sad b/c shes the one that is about to reveal the smile you have been waiting on. maybe i am thinking a bit too much into this. i dont know.
One time she forgot that she didn’t close my bottom set of braces up. that would have been uncomfortable. this was when i first had my braces and was kinda of mad at them.
i had to wait 3 months on top of 3 months before my second treatment. because no one toldme that i was suppose to get my teeth pulled. It made me mad because i thought i was going to be held back three months from removal date. but it didn’t really hurt that.
but i was a little concerned when she wasn’t paying much attention to me then. idk. but over time we were talking okay and i was feeling comforatble.
except for the time i went in and wanting one of my teeth that was slanted to stand up right. that was painful.
now that i get my braces off in roughly 7 weeks i cant wait. i dont know what to expect. they really havn’t informed me. i wish i knew.
well ill stop telling you my whole brace story.
i did enjoy reading on some of your experieces though.
June 1, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Amy
Actually, RetainerFresh is not a tablet. I got the 1 week free sample they offer and it is more like a powder and dissolves faster than RetainerBrite which is what I got from my dentist.
Also, I read somewhere about not letting Hawley retainers soak more than 10minutes because of soddering becoming weak. Not sure about all that. Just read about it.
July 10, 2009 at 1:05 pm
elizabeth nana
the first time i had my braces ,jeess,it was a hell for the past 5 days ,oh my God i felt like removing the braces that day i also felt like crashing them on the floor, i cant explain the pain though but i think its worth it.at the end you would be glad you went through the pain and trust me you would have a beautiful smile and feel comfortable when talking and you would later feel the boldness when talking to peers and other personalities.for now i would like to share with you how to have a sharming smile in braces always feel as if braces is part of you and you were born with it .one might say is that all?yes it is but try it and you would see thanx for reading my boring news .see yaaaaa
July 10, 2009 at 1:07 pm
elizabeth nana
i would also like tyo add up to it that its easy just be bold …bye and ypu would make it