Your orthodontic treatment is complete, and now your orthodontist gives you a set of your new removable retainers. This is just the last step to keep your teeth perfectly aligned. One question that many patients have on their mind is, “Can you eat with retainers on?” Retainers fit so snugly that you might think there shouldn’t be a problem eating with them. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Keep reading to find out why.
Is It Okay to Eat With Retainers?
You should always remove your removable retainers before eating anything. Think about what happens when you bite or chew food. Your teeth and jaws work together to break down food into small enough pieces to swallow. While doing so, there is a lot of biting pressure on your teeth.
Retainers are durable, but they’re not meant to withstand such strong forces. If you keep wearing a retainer while eating something, this biting pressure may crack or even break the material.
Another reason why dentists strongly suggest taking out your retainers before eating is to prevent the food bits from getting stuck between your retainer and teeth. This can add to plaque buildup on both your teeth and retainer surface, causing tooth staining and cavities.
Can You Drink Normally With Retainers?
Many patients understand why eating with retainers would be a problem. But drinking anything shouldn’t be an issue, right? Although there is no biting force while you’re drinking while wearing retainers, there are some other concerns to be mindful of.
You may already know that dark beverages like coffee and red wine stain your teeth. If you drink them while you still have retainers in your mouth, these beverages can stain the material, too. This is possible even if you drink through a straw.
A discolored retainer will look more noticeable when you speak or smile.
Another reason is that drinking hot beverages can warp your retainer. It may lose its snug fit.
So, in case of beverages, you can only drink plain water while having your retainers on, and remove them before drinking anything else.
Tips for Eating and Drinking When You Have Retainers
The ease of removable retainers is that you can easily take them out of your mouth anytime. Before eating or drinking anything (other than water), remove your retainers and keep them in your retainer case.
A better idea is to keep two retainer cases, one at home and one in your purse or travel bag. This way, you’ll always have a safe place to keep your retainer while you enjoy your meal.
When you’re done eating, brush your teeth if possible or rinse your mouth before putting your retainers on.
Also, make sure to follow your dentist’s instructions on cleaning your retainers every day.
Summing Up
Eating with your retainers on, even a little snack, is risky. Simply remove the appliance and keep it in its protective case. If you experience any problems with your retainers, contact us at Safari Family Dental and Orthodontics right away. Call our Meyerland office at (346) 266-0886 today.