Is it OK to use a plastic retainer on my teeth if it is turning black?!
Question:
Is it OK to use a plastic retainer on my teeth if it is turning black?
Got my braces off in 1998 and have had a molded plastic retainer since then (9 years) that I wear every night. I guess the first few years I didn't clean it thoroughly enough, and in spots, the plastic is turning black. I have scrubbed it with toothpaste, soaked it in denture cleaner, and even took an engraving tool to it and tried to scrape the black off of it, but to no avail.
The retainer was $400 back in 1998 and I'm sure it would be more now. Is it OK to keep wearing it? What is the black stuff? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
Answers:
I dont think it will hurt your to wear it as long as it is clean. Since its several years old it may be wearing thin and you may need a new one soon anyway. I would call around and get a price for one. That $400 may have been part of the price of your braces. It's so crazy b/c it costs about $2 to make that plastic retainer! Probably not even that much. I used to make them and its just a small piece of plastic melted over a mold of your teeth. It takes about 5 minutes.... but I guess they know we have to have them so they can charge it.
good luck