Essix retainers... Well any hints for retainer wear be good

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#1 Post by **sjsarre** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 8:49 am

I've just had my 13th adjustment and on the 11 October I will be having my uppers debonded and an Essix retainer fitted the next day.

Are there any hints you guys can give me to wearing retainers / cleaning retainers / whether I can do teeth whitening etc???

Thanks
S

#2 Post by **sjsarre** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 12:35 am

Great thanks so much for the advice... Not sure how long i'll need to wear it each day but i'm quite happy to wear it even if its 24hours a day!!

The whitening product sounds really good... Might start investigating products for mid / end November time after my top has been off for a month

#3 Post by **Betty Bat** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 1:57 pm

I got a pamphlet from my ortho when I got my retainer. Here's what it said:
- Do not clean your essix retainer with toothpaste. Use soap with your toothbrush
- place a dot of colored nail polish on the inside of your essix. This will help you see it.

When I asked about the soap, they said that I could use a gel toothpaste instead of soap. I used Dr. Bronner's liquid soap for a while - it can be used for brushing your teeth and for a mouthwash. But, I'll admit that I like the gel toothpaste better, just for the flavor.

I keep mine in the plastic case when I'm not wearing it, soaking in water with a little non-alcohol mouthwash. I use Crest Pro-Care right now, because that's what I had at home.

#4 Post by **sjsarre** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:06 am

Well its been a while since I posted.. I wore the retainer every day without fail for the first year. Now I wear it every 3 nights and had it cut down so it doesn't include all my back teeth!!

#5 Post by **Miss Smiley** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 1:51 am

My Essix are super thick and a pain (literally) to get in and out!!!! Luckily, my lowers are Essix at night only but my uppers are the real pain and are 24 hour wear besides the eating and brushing. Because the uppers are so much of a pain, I was told I could wear them while eating. I'm glad these are temporary.