Can Essix retainers make you sick?

[FinallyBracesFree]

I just got my braces off about a month ago. My orthodontist was going to give me a Hawley retainer for the top (I have a bonded on the bottom) but I have severe anxiety and couldn’t handle it so I opted for the Essix instead. It didn’t take long, they made it in the office in about 20 minutes or so. I really love it but I have read a lot about people getting sick from these types of retainers and it’s really scaring me. I have been feeling nauseous lately (no other symptoms) but it comes and goes and some days I don’t have it at all. It seems to go away when I eat and then come back later. I’ve been wearing the retainer 24/7 so I doubt that’s the cause. It seems like I experience it more on days the retainer hasn’t been cleaned so I am now cleaning it daily. I know you’re technically not supposed to but I use a toothbrush and toothpaste cause RetainerBrite makes me really nervous and anxious. And this other orthodontist (when I got a second opinion) who is really really good said it’s okay to use a toothbrush/toothpaste as long as you use a soft-bristled brush. I know people say it can scratch it and leave it cloudy but I haven’t noticed anything. I also notice the nausea is a lot worse on days I haven’t had a lot of sleep. But I was nauseous today and had plenty of sleep. However, I didn’t clean the retainer yesterday at all so that was probably the cause. Do you think any of this has to do with the retainer? Am I getting sick from it or is it other factors? What’s the worst that can happen if it is affecting me? I just have to wear it 24/7 for probably about a year (it was 9 months for the Hawley but he said it would be longer for the Essix) and then I go to nightwear.

I assume an orthodontist who has went through years of schooling wouldn't give you something harmful to put in your mouth?

[djspeece]

Yes, I think that is a safe assumption, FBF. I take the advice of my ortho very seriously. You'll read and hear all sorts of opinions from people who have had experience with one patient: themselves. I think you understand that every case is different. You mention being anxious a lot, I wonder (as an RN) if you have sought any sort of psychological counseling and possible treatment for an anxiety disorder or relaxation techniques, perhaps meditation (not that you asked, so apologies if I have offended inadvertently). Nausea is one of those symptoms that are caused by so many things. Have you thought about it in terms of your anxiety levels?
Best of luck to you!

[JumpTheDitch]

Mine never made me sick, I think I just gave them a little brush with my toothbrush every night (I don't recall ever going to any great lengths cleaning either the Essixes or Hawleys I had, it's not like I dropped them in the toilet or left them out in the garden!) They were only in my mouth, I gave them a cursory scrub with my toothbrush after tooth-brushing, a quick rinse & they always seemed fine. I really wouldn't let it stress you, you'll only make yourself feel sick being anxious! Enjoy your tooth freedom & super-fast unfettered flossing!

I hope you won't be offended by my mentioning it, but I recently did a Mindful Meditation course that I found really helpful in retaining control of my thoughts when I got stressed. Its so easy to slip into a pattern of worry & wariness; I found it a great help to switch off the 'Doing' mode of the brain & focus instead on just 'Being'. My favourite comment was "You can't breathe for yesterday or tomorrow, you can only breathe for now." Google franticworld, there are some great free short meditations to try out, I highly recommend them (I do them frequently).

All the best

[bbsadmin]

People have been known to get sick from Invisalign and sometimes from clear retainers. See this blog post: http://www.dentakit.blogspot.com/2011/0 ... astic.html

[jtsang]

I just got my braces off about a month ago. My orthodontist was going to give me a Hawley retainer for the top (I have a bonded on the bottom) but I have severe anxiety and couldn’t handle it so I opted for the Essix instead. It didn’t take long, they made it in the office in about 20 minutes or so. I really love it but I have read a lot about people getting sick from these types of retainers and it’s really scaring me. I have been feeling nauseous lately (no other symptoms) but it comes and goes and some days I don’t have it at all. It seems to go away when I eat and then come back later. I’ve been wearing the retainer 24/7 so I doubt that’s the cause. It seems like I experience it more on days the retainer hasn’t been cleaned so I am now cleaning it daily. I know you’re technically not supposed to but I use a toothbrush and toothpaste cause RetainerBrite makes me really nervous and anxious. And this other orthodontist (when I got a second opinion) who is really really good said it’s okay to use a toothbrush/toothpaste as long as you use a soft-bristled brush. I know people say it can scratch it and leave it cloudy but I haven’t noticed anything. I also notice the nausea is a lot worse on days I haven’t had a lot of sleep. But I was nauseous today and had plenty of sleep. However, I didn’t clean the retainer yesterday at all so that was probably the cause. Do you think any of this has to do with the retainer? Am I getting sick from it or is it other factors? What’s the worst that can happen if it is affecting me? I just have to wear it 24/7 for probably about a year (it was 9 months for the Hawley but he said it would be longer for the Essix) and then I go to nightwear.

I assume an orthodontist who has went through years of schooling wouldn't give you something harmful to put in your mouth?

my first thought after reading your post? could you be pregnant? sounds like how I was when I first found out I was expecting...

[klobird]

I have had the same thing!! I have been so nauseous that I have gotten 2 different types of anti-nausea meds since I got my braces off, but I never even considered that it could be my Essix. I clean it obsessively, so it's clean.....hmmmm...interesting!

[Funtobeme]

Yeah..your preg or you are worrying so much about it you can actually make yourself nauseous. The brain is a powerful projector to the body. Think it hurts? It hurts. Think the retainer is making you feel like puking? You will puke.
Nice plug from the admin to their sponsors site. May be making you sick because it's not clean buy this stuff to clean it hummmm...I would like more info and statistics before I get myself worked up by it. Just my honest opinion.

[FinallyBracesFree]

Thanks everyone!!

Turns out it was caused by not cleaning it well enough. Before I was just using Retainer Brite (which made me so nervous) every 2-3 days. No wonder I felt sick, it was filthy

Now I clean it with toothbrush/toothpaste (I know you're not supposed to but I've had no problems at all. Yes, it's cloudy immediately after brushing but it goes away) and I haven't felt nauseous since.

One thing I learned...clean your retainer daily!

[TMJJill]

My dentist told me to use my toothbrush and toothpaste to clean the retainers. He isn't concerned about that causing damage. He does recommend 'natural' toothpaste (Vita-Myr) though which is not very abrasive. I've also been using the retainer bright daily. I usually soak the retainers (I have 3 of them since I switch out the upper one for a custom Essix night splint) each morning while I'm showering and going through my morning routine.

I will say that since I got my retainers a couple weeks ago, the backs of my teeth never seem to feel clean--no matter how much brushing I do.

Glad you are feeling better.

[bbsadmin]

There is no reason not to use Retainer Brite every day. Retainer Brite kills the bacteria that make your retainer smell....and that can make you sick. There is no need to brush your retainer with a toothbrush if you use Retainer Brite (or DentaSoak or SonicBrite) every day.

[FinallyBracesFree]

So no more nausea (btw I'm not pregnant to the people who asked) but I'm having another problem now. I don't know if this could be related to the retainer or not.

Starting last night, I've been having shortness of breath. It feels like it's coming from deep in my chest. No chest pain or anything though. It comes and goes. Like when I force myself to cough, it feels deep in my chest. This just happened yesterday and I have been wearing this retainer for about a month so I assume it's not the cause? I was feeling it earlier and then I took it out to clean it and almost immediately after I took it out, it subsided (I guess that could have been power of mind though). But I just wanted to ask cause it really scared me. It's not anxiety, I've never experienced this before and it doesn't feel like it's from anxiety at all. Maybe it needs a good cleaning with the Retainer Brite (some bacteria could be build up)? I'm using toothpaste/toothbrush but I don't know if the toothpaste is actually killing all the bacteria. Or I could be coming down with something maybe? A lot of people at school are sick and coughing.

I'm probably overreacting but I just want to bring it up. The Hawley isn't an option for me with my bad anxiety. I put that in my mouth and there was just no way (they cut it down as low as they could). Plus the Essix is more esthetically pleasing considering I'm a junior in college and I've already had to wear metal across my teeth for 2 years.

What do you guys think?

[plugnickel69]

I use the very soft throwaway type brush from my ortho's office, cool water, and a drop of clear anti-bacterial soap on my essix-type retainer. It has not scratched and never smells. I brush my teeth after eating and clean or rinse the retainer at least twice a day.

I can't imagine not cleaning a retainer on an ongoing daily basis nor could I imagine not brushing my teeth, appliances or not, at least twice daily. I never flossed when I was younger except the night before I went to the dentist (floss would break until they invented Glide; my contacts too tight) and also never had the advantage of fluoride until I was well into adulthood. (I have pretty much always been on well water.) But I learned the importance of good oral hygiene.

It's not surprising that a dirty retainer could make you sick. Seems like a wonderful medium to grow bacteria.

[bbsadmin]

I think that if you're having shortness of breath you should see your medical doctor. This could be related to something else, not your retainer. You should have a doctor examine you and perhaps get a chest x-ray. Shortness of breath can also be a sign of heart problems, or it could be asthma.

[klobird]

Ok so my nausea was caused by a change in meds.... I do soak my retainer in new cleaner every time I take the Essix out of my mouth. Occasionally, I think my mind is just telling me that the Essix is making me gaggy....

Another learning experience.....