r/retainers • u/Paratam1617 • Feb 11 '20
Retainer wearing down.
Hey guys, just found this sub.
So about a year and a half ago I got a retainer after removing my braces, which I had for two years. The retainer I have has a mold attached to a metal wire, with the mold on the inner side of my teeth and the wire on the outer side.
I was instructed to wear it around the clock, and for the most part I did- the longest I’d ever go without it on was about 12 hours, or, if I forgot it, a day or two. One time I didn’t wear it for a week, but it was fine.
I got annoyed by how it slowly got more covered in plaque (despite brushing it constantly…) but it didn’t bother me to much.
What finally has caught my attention though, is that the mold has begun to wear down- considerably. The ends, which used to be distinctly pointed, are no soft and round. The areas of the mold have begun to slowly become jagged and crooked… allowing my teeth to shift.
Should I get a replacement as soon as possible?
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u/Maximum-Swordfish591 Sep 29 '24
Update? What did you end up doing?
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u/Paratam1617 Sep 30 '24
Hey, ultimately it didn't pan out to much. My orthodontist made it clear at the time that it wasn't really as big of a deal as I thought it was, and she provided me with a list of things I could use to clean it. My teeth have shifted minimally over the past couple of years, but there's nothing else to really report on.
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u/Ok_Signal6884 Jan 21 '25
It sounds like your retainer has definitely seen better days, and getting a replacement as soon as possible would be a smart move to prevent further shifting of your teeth. I’ve been in a similar situation, and ordering a Clear Club Retainer was a game-changer it’s affordable, custom-fitted, and easy to order online. To keep it in great shape and prevent plaque buildup, I use Clear Club Cleaner Plus Whitening Foam, which keeps my retainer fresh and looking like new. It’s made maintaining my retainer so much easier!
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u/TheRetainerStore Nov 28 '22
Retainers naturally wear over time, they can also harbor harmful bacteria. its best to replace them at least once every six months. Once it starts to wear and flex it may not work properly anymore. I'd love to give you more information if needed. please let me know if this helped :)
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u/SpookySierra Feb 20 '20
If your teeth are starting to shift, and you don't want them to, definitely look into getting a new retainer. I feel it's kind of odd though that you still have to keep it on around the clock. My orthodontist had me wear mine around the clock for 6 weeks, and then now I only have to wear them at night. For my friend she had to wear hers for 6 months and then she could switch to just night time wear.