#plastic retainers

It's been so long since I've been on this blog and it's been absolutely mental with me prepping to move to Aussieland (this coming Wednesday and I'm nowhere near finished packing AHHH). But I've really missed this blog and I've missed the bracketeers! (Can I actually admit to saying that I miss my braces? Sometimes wearing retainers can be so high maintenance!) 

I wanted to make a proper post with pictures but I kept putting things off. Until I received a question today, I realised that I'm going to do a quick bullet points of tips before I forget them (sans pictures) and drop a quick hi because I miss you guys so much! 

Things they don't tell you about clear retainers:

Less than a month in and I can still feel my teeth move if I don't wear them for a half a day (hey! Not that I'm being lazy! I just have long eating events!) Keep em on and keep em snug. I feel naked and worry when I don't have them on. 

Good gOD they are fragile. I think I may have chipped it whilst gnashing my teeth in my sleep.

And guess what, you will leave your case behind at home one day so you will face the age ol' question: do I put my retainers in a tissue and risk binning them or do I starve myself to death?

I've starved myself a few times and really it's not a good option

So much drool in the first 3 days to the point it's embarrassing. But don't worry! That seriously goes away after a week. But it's still gross when you take off your retainers after a night of sleep. 

Lisp. I still have it because I take off my retainers quite a bit. But people notice it less but I can still feel it. I think it definitely is more obvious with the clear ones. 

They get cloudy. Sad face. So they may reflect or give this weird glossy look in pictures. 

So what are the tips to counter this:

Yes try to wear them as often as you can. I think I've decided that even though my orthodontist said to only wear them for a month daily, I'm going to keep it up for 3 months daily. I've known of people whom have kept it on for up to 2-years and I understand why because the longer you keep 'em off, the more likely you'll end up wearing braces again.

Get yourself another retainer case if you can. If you can't (I'm one of those whom couldn't find one), by a tiny tupperware that can fit it in for you to leave in the bag you use daily and one to leave by your sink.

I bought a small lock 'n lock for about £2 and it's great to just leave in the bag. Trust me. Not worth putting it in a tissue in the fear that you may crush it or accidentally bin it. I have nightmares about it. 

Talk a lot. Practice talking and your lisp will go away. 

And actually, you can get rid of the cloudiness by cleaning them with cotton buds. I try to do it daily (but I know I get lazy sometimes) and just using water and rubbing away the clouded marks gently. Works like a charm. And it's good to do to avoid the cloudy build-up.

And that's it so far! I'm getting used to life with retainers and it's not that annoying. I still haven't had the guts to try chewing gum (I've read that your teeth moves when you chew gum) but I've munched through so much gummies you have no idea.

Best of luck to my bracketeers and those whom have journeyed on to retainer-dom. I'm still about, taking questions, and will be bringing quick tips on both braces and retainers on this blog!