Metal Mouth Message Board

I DO,
I'm supposed to where it for a year, 24/7! It's so hard to eat with it because stuff keeps getting stuck in it, and I feel so weird with it...

eat with it? what kind do you have?

aquablade, I feel your pain.

I think my retainer is giving me psychological trauma.

Do you find yourself eating less?

Do you find yourself cleaning it more than possibly necessary?

Do you find yourself searching the net for other likeminded retainer haters?

Do you find yourself bringing it up in every conversation?

Do you find yourself taking it out and smelling it?

Subconciously?

These are all signs of Retainer Angst Disorder (R.A.D.)

I actually don't mind having retainers....i paid so much to get my teeth this way so why not wear retainers to maintain the look???Always look at the postivies rather than the negatives...it makes life a whole lot easier

I actually find comfort wearing my retainer. The first day I hated it, but now I feel naked without it! It's an Essix and I was told to take it out when I eat. It could break otherwise.

you mite wanna make sure and wear them though i understand how anyoing thy are i had one when i was like 14 and i had to get braces agian at 17 cause i didnt wear mine properly beleive me wear it now and once the year is over itll all be worth it and ull soon forget how bad they were

They can't be worse than braces....

At least you've got that to be happy about!

I'd rather have braces than retainers. Braces never made me lisp and there's no chance of losing them.

smilez_of_metal...what kind of retainer do you have?

fixed top and bottom

fixed top and bottom

Is the fixed retainer on the top just a wire behind your teeth? There isn't anything in front of your teeth permanently is there?

yeah a fixed retainer is just a wire...and you cant see it unless i open my mouth really wide...or until i start laughing!

I have a fixed retainer top and bottom but also clear retainers top and bottom to wear for 12 hours a day (when I get home from work). I must say they feel very bulky...almost making me want to gag. I can't close my mouth...when I try to bite my back teeth on the left touch first and its a really weird sensation. Does it get better?

^^I have the same exact thing. No problems for me. I just find the aweful breath in the morning sometimes makes me gag. As soon as I take the retainer out...it's mouth wash in!!!!