Metal Mouth Message Board

Hey guys!!!

Well it has been about 2 wks. since I was debanded and have been wearing my retainers as directed by my ortho.

I have hated them since day one and hate them even more today!! I have to go to the ortho this afternoon due to a new problem! Since the retainer (Essix) covers my teeth and down to the gum line, it is rubbing my gums raw. They are so sore and tender. It hurts to brush and chew. I am hoping he can trim away some of the retainer to make it more comfortable. OR maybe he will switch me to Hawley..........???

What is nice right now is nobody notices the retainer - - so I LOVE that part of it! My teeth are still feeling fragile and tender to chew.........
I have made progress though - - - I'll let ya know how I make out later.

oooo that sounds painful Lyn! I'm sure that your ortho will be able to trim the trays so that they don't irritate your gums so much.
Other than that, how is life now you're "naked"

Well, it was an IN and OUT appointment. I was squeezed in (because of them being closed for the holiday).

I took out my bottom tray and he trimmed it (if you want to say that). He told me to keep them in!! duh - - like I AM!!!
[ I guess what he means is, even though my gums are hurting, I have to continue to wear the retainer - - which I am]

Anyway, he said as your teeth settle in, your gums needs to find their place and get situated, with the braces off. So, my gums are sore and tender from that. I don't think the trimming did much good, but, we'll see if they toughen off over the next couple of weeks. On the up note, he did say to call him on Monday, if I am still feeling uncomfortable (so that is positive!)

I was more concerned that with the gums being swollen, that they could become infected from the trapped saliva and stuff - - but he said that shouldn't happen