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Question... just got back from the

Hi there UhOh. I am sorry you are dealing with dental issues.

So, here is my question for you...what is your dentist doing about the gingivitis???

Here are some facts on gingivitis...

Treatment of gingivitis depends on the severity of the condition. It is important to see your dentist so they can recommend the appropriate treatment at the early stages of gingivitis which may be as follows:

Gingivitis treatment is a good oral hygeine routine and regular visits to the dentist to remove any build up of plaque.

Antibiotics may be needed.

Periodontitis treatment may involve scaling and root planing to remove the build up tartar.

A local anaesthetic may be needed.

In severe cases surgery may be necessary.

That is why I ask what the dentist is doing. It isn't just going to "go away." And, I am no dentist, but I would think that taking the retainer out may be in your best interest right now, considering the gingivitis.

You may think of finding a new dentist.

WIshing you all the best.

Tammy

well he told me to floss in there, but i'm telling you, there is NO possible way to get floss behind this damn retainer yourself. its just impossible. I've had it for 7 years, if anyone would know, i should. I dont know he told me to use floss, and to use the pro health mouth wash. He said its just starting, just in those teeth infront of the retainer... simple solution.. take the thing out?!

Yea, that seems a bit odd. I would think he would just take it out, especially if you are wanting it out that bad.

I guess all you can do is the rinsing and stuff that he suggests, unless like I said, you get a 2nd opinion.

I hope you find relief soon!

Dear xUhOhX,

You're forgetting one thing-- that retainer is there for a reason. Sure, it can be removed, but do you really want to sabotage all those years of active orthodontic treatment? Maybe you do, but don't rush to throw the baby out with the bath water before careful consideration. Removing the retainer will almost certainly allow the teeth to drift back to their original positions.

In fact, your predicament is not uncommon-- it's faced by anyone who has splinted teeth or fixed bridgework. Granted, it's not possible to floss in the conventional way when the teeth are connected, but that doesn't mean that there aren't alternate techniques that would serve well to control bacterial plaque. All it takes is the will. Of course, your dentist could be of more help here as well.

The typical fixed lingual retainer is a thin wire, and in fact doesn't present as much of an impediment to oral hygiene as you suggest. Purchase one of the new generation electric toothbrushes, such as the Sonicare, the Oral B, the Braun, or something of that type with a built-in quadrant timer, and USE IT. You also may not be able to floss the entire length of the teeth, but use dental floss down to the wire while you're flossing your other un-splinted teeth. Clean the areas under the retainer wire with a Perio Aid, a Stim-U-Dent, or other dental hygiene implement with which you think you can get comfortable.

And get your dentist into the act as well. It does little good for him to diagnose gum disease if he's not going to give you the tools to help manage it. Have him or his hygienist provide you with a customized regimen of plaque control-- it's unfair of him to let you blunder around trying to make one up yourself, when it's really a responsibility he shares with you.

Hope this helps...