My orthodontist advised I could start taking my retainer out for 3 hours per day. I usually break it up like this:
- Breakfast: 15 minutes
- Morning snack: 10 minutes
- Lunch: 30 minutes
- Afternoon snack: 10 minutes
- Supper: 30 minutes
I also pop the retainer in and out quite a bit when I have to make an important call at work. I find my speech isn't very clear in pronouncing certain words if I have it in. I get a lot of "Excuse mes?"
Anyhow...the point of the blog post! I've found that when I remove the retainer and try to put it back in, it really hurts. Esepcially if I have it out for over 2 hours straight (I've done this once or twice when going to trivia). By the end of the 2 hour mark I can feel where the teeth have moved and putting the retainer back in actually becomes a challenge. I can get it back on but the teeth fight back with a lot of pressure. They don't like it!
I had an appointment with my dentist a week and a half ago and he did 12 x-rays of my teeth. My teeth are healthy but as suspected, the roots to my front upper teeth are extremely short. My dentist advised the orthodontist will probably look at bonding my two front teeth together for added support and the permanent retainer will hopefully hold the upper teeth in place better. I asked if I would still wear the retainer along with the permanent fixed wire and the answer I got was yes. Hopefully it won't affect my speech too badly. After all the wires and orthodontic appliances I have been through during this journey, I can't see a little wire causing too much trouble. At least I hope not.
The problem I'm having right now is horrible headaches. The pain begins in the upper jaw, radiates around my eyes and to the top of my head. I wake up in the morning with a headache and by the time I come home from work I feel like I could cry. It's really taking a lot out of me. I go see my oral surgeon at the end of the month for a check up and I see my orthodontist next week as well. I'm hoping they can give me some advice on what to do or that the fixed retainer will help with the teeth movement. I almost feel like I wish I had my braces back in. At least then the teeth didn't move. I like the freedom of no braces or retainer but the teeth movement and pain make it feel like it's not worthwhile removing. If I could eat with my retainer in I would!
Does anyone else wearing a retainer have trouble with headaches? I have been doing self Reiki treatments and meditation which helps a bit but doesn't take the pain away completely. I'm hoping this is a temporary thing!
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