Metal Mouth Message Board

hi! so i got debraced a few days ago and am now in retainers 24/7. sometimes i think the braces may have been better since i didn't have to remove them every time i ate. quick question - i'm a student with class all day and so i try to eat when i can. however, with the retainer how does this work? it's probably rude to pop it out in the middle of class and eat and then i'd have to put it back in pretty promptly. anyone have a similar issue/solution? also is brushing the retainers morning and night with toothpaste good to keep it clean?

Why would it be rude to remove your retainer to eat? You gotta do what you gotta do.

There is a section in the following link towards the bottom of the page about cleaning retainers:

http://www.archwired.com/6-_come_off.htm

Im not braced for another 2 weeks but I have been in a removable expander for the last 4 months that is similar to the older type of retainer (metal wire across the front teeth).
I try to very discretely pop out my expander behind a napkin and wrap it up quickly or put it in its case under the table when I eat out somewhere. I keep a flosser handy so I can get the stuff from between my teeth (also discretely behind a napkin or in the men's room) before I put it back in until I can brush.
As for cleaning, I brush it with the toothpaste that has mouthwash in it every time I brush my teeth and in the morning I soak it in Efferdent (while I eat breakfast) to keep it clean. It still looks new after 4 months.