Retainers + Mouthwash

There's a product that's called RetainerBrite that you can use to keep your retainers clean and odor free.. but the product is pretty costly. And I don't have it.. In the future I might go and buy to give it a try.. but as of right now, this is what I'm doing to keep my retainers clean. Aside from brushing the retainers when I brush my teeth, I have this little plastic jar that I bought at the baking section of Fred Meyer grocery store, and I just pour my mouthwash into it and mix it with cold water and place my retainers in it. Just to keep it odor-free and fresh-tasting when I put the retainers back into my mouth.

Mid-march update

The gap has closed!

The last time I went in for my adjustment, the gap was still a bit open. So I was still on part-time wearing the elastic band. I got a hunch that says the next time I go in, they might tell me I can stop wearing the elastic band for that area. But I've been on a new elastic band for the last two months though.

The assistant told me that they're going to do some adjustment on my upper central incisors. So they give me a new elastic, placed on my left-side upper and lower cuspids. The purpose is to straighten the two because right now it's still crooked. Because the placement of this new elastic is quite visible whenever I open my mouth, it has caught a lot of attention more than bright-colored chain that I previously used. Maybe because the color is white and the texture, people think I'm chewing on a gum and playing with it on my teeth/braces. It does make me feel more self-conscious to open my mouth widely either to laugh or smile or talk. And it is very tight, because it's folded twice (first tie to the upper cuspid, then stretch it to the lower cuspid, fold it under the hook of the lower cuspid then stretch it back to the upper cuspid and tie it there – so it's double fold or some kind). So anyway because of the tightness, when I yawn when I'm very tired or sleepy, it tends to snap apart so I have to replace it very often. I have to wear this rubber band full-time.

Front view

Also, the last time I went in there, they made an adjustment of my coil spring between my second molar and premolar (refer to this post). They want to create more space, because at the end of my orthodontic treatment, I will have to get an implant to fill that space. Oh no. I'm scared of the pain, and also it's quite expensive too – I'm very broke now! Anyway after that adjustment, my gum and teeth were more sensitive than ever. The throbbing pain from the coil spring, and the new elastic band.. Both are located around the same area, or the same side of my mouth, so it feels like the pain is tripling up. It was very sore and sensitive for the first 3 days, like usual.. only more pain this time.

The type of rubber band I have to wear

Anyway, I've returned to using an electric toothbrush now. I used to use electric toothbrush prior to wearing braces. But because the first few months of wearing braces, my teeth were all very sensitive.. I bid my electric toothbrush adieu. But now that I've grown used to the sensitivity or maybe my teeth and gum are already stronger and healthier, now I can go back using the electric toothbrush. And I can feel the improvement right away. My gum line always feels cleaner from food debris and plaque. Also the fun thing is choosing the head replacement. I've always used dual clean which is two heads - one is rotating and the other one moves sideways. But lately I've tried the Oral-B Pro White that features a special polishing cup for a naturally whiter smile. And just a few days ago I had to replace the head because it had worn out, right now I'm using Oral-B FlossAction head that has Micropulse bristles to penetrate deep between teeth to sweep away plaque. Next head toothbrush that I'm going to use in a few weeks is the ortho, it's a simpler head compared to the previous two that I tried on.

Also, I'm back using Crest 3D White, I tried Colgate Optic White, but for some reason I just feel Crest 3D White leaves me feeling cleaner than Colgate.

Products I use

I'm not sure about the other towns/states, but where I live, there's no specialty store that sells orthodontic items. I can find regular wax at some grocery stores, but never other things like toothbrushes. I find that perplexing. However, in this post I'll make the list of items that I use ever since I have my braces. I buy most of these online because I can't find them at the stores.

First, this is the floss that I'm using. You can find this at most grocery stores out there. It's very easy to use. It has a stiff end that makes it easier for you to control during flossing. I also love the soft spongy floss that's thick enough for wide gaps.

Next is silicone wax. The one that I use is called OrthoSil. Your teeth/braces needs to be dry and you also need to use dry fingers to apply this wax onto the affected area. It gets tricky sometimes, but I find them stay put better than regular wax. I always buy Orthosil from dentakit.com

Last but not least, this is the toothbrush that I use. Its brand is GUM. The V-cut bristles are soft and I love holding on the thick rubber grip while brushing my teeth. Most orthodontic toothbrushes out there that I find normally have really thin 'body' and without rubber grip or anything causing it a little uncomfortable to hold and have bigger chance of slipping off my palm - I had to take a good grip with any other toothbrushes. Again, I always buy the GUM orthodontic toothbrushes from their websites. I also have the travel size toothbrush with the same brand name.

Having said that, the first time I got my braces on.. my orthodontist gave me this set of orthodontic items that I would need and it included a Plak Smacker toothbrushes which I like to. But you can only buy Plak Smacker's products in large quantity (min 144 pieces), and I highly doubt I will ever use up all 144 by myself. I suppose I can always buy them, take what I need, and resell them on eBay or something.