Metal Mouth Message Board

Does anyone drink coffee with the Essix retainer? I will be having these on the uppers, and a fixed wire on the bottoms. Just wondering how prone they are to staining. Thanks!

I am in upper and lower essix retainers and I was told to take them out whenever eating or drinking anything(except water). As far as I know, they will stain so I wouldn't suggest leaving them in, especially while drinking coffee. I know my teeth are stained from drinking coffee and I now drink it with a straw(I know, silly looking! ).

If unsure, I would check with your ortho. They are quite expensive to replace if you do stain them and are bothered by that .

Thank you!

jenny101101 wrote:I am in upper and lower essix retainers and I was told to take them out whenever eating or drinking anything(except water). As far as I know, they will stain so I wouldn't suggest leaving them in, especially while drinking coffee. I know my teeth are stained from drinking coffee and I now drink it with a straw(I know, silly looking! ).

If unsure, I would check with your ortho. They are quite expensive to replace if you do stain them and are bothered by that .

My ortho told me to be sure and only drink water with my Essix retainers. Once I forgot and had coffee and quickly took them out, brushed them.
I'm going to wear them 24/7 with the exception of eating and maybe an hr at night while watching TV if I want to enjoy some red wine. I can tell that one space that was closed is now slightly open (ugh) - so I know the importance of wearing the retainers as much as possible.

After eating anything, I brush my teeth AND my retainers to keep them fresh.

Talking is getting easier too

How expensive are they by the way?? I know it will vary from place to place but a ball park figure?

Lola, my ortho charges $75 each for replacements (have two free replacements to use up first).

I'm more worried about my teeth sitting in a tray of "something" then of the tray staining. So I stick to only water when I have them on.
Luckily I only have to wear my Essix 24/7 for two weeks, nightly wear will be a lot easier to deal with.

Lela wrote:Lola, my ortho charges $75 each for replacements (have two free replacements to use up first).

Wow, $75 is not bad considering what my ortho charges. It'll cost me $250 per retainer to replace! Of course, any cost to replace sucks. I thought I'd cracked my lower one last week (felt a ridge along the back) but it was just build up from wearing them all night and once I brushed it, it was gone...phew!

Yikes $250 seems a little steep! Obviously there is a huge range of price for replacements.
I'm hoping they hold up well. My daughters are still in their first set after 18months so that is a good sign.