Can I use a nail file on my retainer?

If the edges of the retainer feels rough/sharp you can file it with a nail file to smooth it down or use household scissors.
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Can you nail file retainer?

or rough spot on the retainer you can file it with a nail file to smooth it down. people and can result in breakage! Finally, your retainer is fragile and should never be abused – any breakage may result in additional expense and EXTEND YOUR WEARING TIME!!!!
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What should you not do with a retainer?

You should always be sure that your retainers are seated completely. Do not allow them to “flop” around. Don't leave your retainers in a hot car or put in hot water (such as a boiling them or putting them into the dishwasher.) They are heat sensitive so they will warp or melt.
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Can I trim my own retainer?

You can trim the edges of the plastic with a nail file or sharp scissor if necessary. Do not trim the retainers so the tooth portion of the retainer is affected. Remember to bring your retainers with you for all your retainer check visits. Usually, Dr.
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Why do my gums turn white when I put my retainer in?

As you wear your retainer, it accumulates bacteria, plaque, and tartar. We brush and floss to prevent this buildup on our teeth and gums, and we have to clean our retainers for the same reason. Without sufficient cleaning, a retainer can become smelly, foul-tasting, filmy, cloudy, and covered in small white spots.
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Why This 19-Year-Old TikToker Used a Nail File on Her Teeth



Why do my retainers feel tight every night?

If your retainer feels tight every night to the point of discomfort, talk to your orthodontist. In most cases, this happens when you move to a nightly schedule too quickly. When you see your orthodontist, they'll likely recommend that you return to wearing your retainer for part of the day until your teeth adjust.
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How do you file a plastic retainer?

Plastic removable retainers may irritate your cheeks, gums and tongue at first, and one or two of the edges may feel sharp for the first few days. This is a fairly simple problem to deal with however. Remove your retainers and use an emery board or nail file to smoothen the areas that are causing you irritation.
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Can I file down my aligners?

Use the emery board, if needed.

You can use it to lightly file down any sharp or rough edges on your aligners. If there's any excess material on your aligners, just use small scissors to trim, and then use an emery board to file the new edge.
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Can I file down my Invisalign?

This solution is best done under the guidance of your dentist or orthodontist, but it is possible to smooth down problem areas on your aligners. After consulting with your orthodontist, they may recommend that you smooth the edges of your aligners with an emery board (also known as a nail file).
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Can I decorate my retainer?

Make your retainer case unique by styling it with a monogram, stickers, sharpies, etc. Braces colors, Monogram stickers, Monogram.
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Do I have to brush my teeth every time I eat with retainers?

It is only necessary to remove your retainers while brushing your teeth. When you brush your teeth after every meal, brush your retainers with your toothbrush and toothpaste. DO NOT use extremely hot water when cleaning. You may soak them in retainer or denture cleaning tablets if desired.
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Do you have to wear a retainer forever?

Your retainers will help prevent this from happening as you age. To maintain a straight smile for a lifetime, you're going to need to wear your retainers nightly for the rest of your life. The good news is, after some time it won't be necessary to wear them as often.
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How do I smooth out my aligners?

Buff the Sharp Edges

If you feel an aligner is biting your gum, remove it immediately and try to locate the irritating edge, then smooth it out with a fine sandpaper. If you are unable to do so, visit your dentist immediately.
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What do I do if my retainer is sharp?

If you feel any sharp, rough or sore spots this can be a large indicator that somewhere on the retainer is irritating the teeth or gums. If this is the case, you will need to contact the orthodontist so that he or she can properly fix the issue.
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What is a Hawley retainer?

A Hawley retainer is one form of orthodontic retainer, which uses a combination of a hard plastic or acrylic plate connected by a thin metal wire. The retainer is molded to your mouth to fit comfortably on the roof of your mouth, with the wire settled against the front of your top teeth.
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How can I make my retainer more comfortable?

How to make retainers more comfortable
  1. Wear them as prescribed. The most common cause of retainer pain? ...
  2. Over-the-counter pain medication. Well-fitting retainers generally do not cause a great deal of discomfort. ...
  3. Dental wax or Bonjela gel. ...
  4. Eat soft, cold foods. ...
  5. Saltwater gargle. ...
  6. Cold pack.
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What can I use instead of chewies?

Are there alternatives to Invisalign chewies?
  • Movemints. Movemints are edible mints that you can chew on to seat your aligner. They're specially shaped to fit comfortably between your teeth when you have your aligner in. ...
  • Munchies. Munchies come in several different hardness options (from gentle to firm).
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How do I make clear aligners more comfortable?

How Do I Make Invisalign® More Comfortable?
  1. Take Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers. Are you getting a new set of clear aligners soon? ...
  2. Switch to New Aligners Before Sleeping. ...
  3. Use Cold Compresses. ...
  4. Eat Soft Foods. ...
  5. Don't Remove Your Aligners. ...
  6. Remember Why You Chose Invisalign.
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Why is my retainer rough?

Look for Build-Up. If you feel rough patches on your retainer, this could be tartar build-up, which often has a cloudy appearance. You can soak your retainer in plain white vinegar, which dissolves minerals, and then gently brush away the residue.
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Why is my retainer so sharp?

A new fixed retainer will sometimes feel rough. It will take a few days to get use to this as the tongue becomes accustomed to the retainer. The retainer should not be sharp. If it is excessively sharp, it is possible that the fixed retainer has come loose so you should contact the practice for a prompt appointment.
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Why are my retainers cutting my tongue?

Sometimes after you receive a new set of aligners, the sides of your tongue can become irritated when they rub against the trays while you speak. The culprit of this Invisalign tongue irritation is the sharp tray edges. Most of the time, the cuts and abrasions disappear within a couple of weeks.
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Can I go 3 days without my retainer?

The teeth can often shift back into place when they are only slightly shifted. Once your teeth have settled into place more permanently, you may find that you can go a few days without wearing your retainers and they will still fit.
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Will my teeth shift without retainer for 2 weeks?

During this time, a week without your retainer may cause some minor shifting. Your retainer may feel a bit tighter on your teeth when you place it back in again. Throughout the rest of your retention phase, it's still possible for your teeth to shift a bit if you go without wearing your retainer for a week.
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Can I go two weeks without my retainer?

Rule of thumb is: you have to wear your retainers for as long as you want them to be straight. Your teeth begin to shift if you don't wear retainers at night every day. If you go a week without wearing retainers, you may notice a small amount of relapse, small spaces, or rotations.
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