Toggle navigation
Eleven Atlantic Avenue 2nd FloorMarblehead, MA 01945-3230(781) 631-2207
  • blog
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

 

Request an Appointment

  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Patient Education

Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer

  • Blog Home
  • Dental+Procedures
  • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer

Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer

By Marblehead Smile Design & Family Dental
April 13, 2016
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: celebrity smiles   braces   orthodontics  
EdenSherandtheLostRetainer

Fans of the primetime TV show The Middle were delighted to see that high school senior Sue, played by Eden Sher, finally got her braces off at the start of Season 6. But since this popular sitcom wouldn’t be complete without some slapstick comedy, this happy event is not without its trials and tribulations: The episode ends with Sue’s whole family diving into a dumpster in search of the teen’s lost retainer. Sue finds it in the garbage and immediately pops it in her mouth. But wait — it doesn’t fit, it’s not even hers!

If you think this scenario is far-fetched, guess again. OK, maybe the part about Sue not washing the retainer upon reclaiming it was just a gag (literally and figuratively), but lost retainers are all too common. Unfortunately, they’re also expensive to replace — so they need to be handled with care. What’s the best way to do that? Retainers should be brushed daily with a soft toothbrush and liquid soap (dish soap works well), and then placed immediately back in your mouth or into the case that came with the retainer. When you are eating a meal at a restaurant, do not wrap your retainer in a napkin and leave it on the table — this is a great way to lose it! Instead, take the case with you, and keep the retainer in it while you’re eating. When you get home, brush your teeth and then put the retainer back in your mouth.

If you do lose your retainer though, let us know right away. Retention is the last step of your orthodontic treatment, and it’s extremely important. You’ve worked hard to get a beautiful smile, and no one wants to see that effort wasted. Yet if you neglect to wear your retainer as instructed, your teeth are likely to shift out of position. Why does this happen?

As you’ve seen firsthand, teeth aren’t rigidly fixed in the jaw — they can be moved in response to light and continuous force. That’s what orthodontic appliances do: apply the right amount of force in a carefully controlled manner. But there are other forces at work on your teeth that can move them in less predictable ways. For example, normal biting and chewing can, over time, cause your teeth to shift position. To get teeth to stay where they’ve been moved orthodontically, new bone needs to form around them and anchor them where they are. That will happen over time, but only if they are held in place with a retainer. That’s why it is so important to wear yours as directed — and notify us immediately if it gets lost.

And if ever you do have to dig your retainer out of a dumpster… be sure to wash it before putting in in your mouth!

If you would like more information on retainers, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “The Importance of Orthodontic Retainers” and “Why Orthodontic Retainers?”

0 Comment(s) Permalink

Comments:






Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2018
      • June (1)
        • 3 Reasons for Blood Pressure Checks During Dental Visits
      • May (3)
        • Julianne Hough Shares a Video - and a Song - After Wisdom Teeth Come Out
        • Recreational Marijuana Could Increase Your Risk of Gum Disease
        • See How Well You're Removing Daily Plaque with a Plaque Disclosing Agent
      • April (2)
        • Don't Let Sports or Energy Drinks Rob you of Your Teeth's Enamel
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
      • March (2)
        • Baseball, Tobacco and Oral Cancer
        • Get Ahead of Bite Problems with Interceptive Orthodontics
      • February (2)
        • 'Simple' Tooth Extractions are a Common Dental Procedure
        • Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection
      • January (3)
        • The Health of Your Mouth Could Affect the Rest of Your Body
        • Why You Should Still Floss with an Implant-Supported Bridge
        • Gum Disease can Prevent Your Gums from Protecting Your Teeth
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
        • Boost Your Overall Health by Reducing Gum Inflammation
      • November (2)
        • Why Dental Visits are a Smart Idea - Even on a Limited Budget
        • Weather the 'Storm' of Teething with These Comfort Tips
      • October (3)
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
        • Loose Permanent Teeth is a Problem - take Action Now
        • Oral Health Concerns for Preteens
      • September (2)
        • A Teen with a Missing Tooth May Need to Wait on a Dental Implant
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
      • August (2)
        • Dental Care is Difficult but not Impossible for a Special Needs Child
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
      • July (3)
        • Here are the Facts on the Impact of Metal Allergies on Dental Work
        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
        • Tooth Troubles for NBA Star Isaiah Thomas
      • June (2)
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
        • A Bonded Retainer Could be a Preferred Choice over a Removable One
      • May (2)
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
        • Prevent White Spots on Teeth While Wearing Braces with Diligent Oral Hygiene
      • April (2)
        • Actress Emma Stone Reveals How Thumb Sucking Affected Her Teeth
        • Look at Your Options for Saving a Tooth First Before Replacing it
      • March (2)
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
        • Antibiotics Before Implant Surgery Could Lower Infection Risk in Some People
      • February (2)
        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
        • A Root Canal Can Stop Tooth Decay and Save Your Tooth
      • January (3)
        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
        • Simplify Your Toothpaste Purchase by Looking for These Ingredients
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
  • 2016
      • December (1)
        • 3 Surprising Foods That Could Help You Fight Tooth Decay
      • November (2)
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
        • Ensure the Best Outcome with the Right Care for a Teen's Missing Tooth
      • October (2)
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
        • Where - and How - Does it Hurt? Getting to the Source of Tooth Pain
      • September (3)
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
        • RPDs Offer Another Tooth Replacement Option for those on a Tight Budget
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
      • August (2)
        • If You're Considering Braces, Here's How They Work
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
      • July (2)
        • 4 Dental Care Areas to Keep in Mind for the Senior Adult in Your Life
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
      • June (2)
        • There's a Good Reason for Adults to Consider Orthodontics - Better Oral Health
        • Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
      • May (2)
        • Oral Irrigation can be an Effective Alternative to Traditional Flossing
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
      • April (2)
        • New Antiviral Drugs can Help you Break the Cold Sore Outbreak Cycle
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
      • March (3)
        • Regular Screenings Could Help With Early Oral Cancer Detection
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
        • The Type of Mouthrinse you use Could be Doing More Than Freshen Breath
      • February (2)
        • A Toothless Tiger?
        • Persistent Jaw Pain After an Injury Needs Immediate Attention
      • January (2)
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
        • Anchorage Devices Provide More Accuracy, Less Treatment Time for Braces
  • 2015
      • December (3)
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
        • Orthodontic Headgear: What It Is and Why It May be Needed
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
      • November (2)
        • Sleep Apnea and Behavioral Problems in Children: How Your Dentist Can Help
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
      • October (3)
        • Dental Care of Prime Importance for Children with Special Health Needs
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
        • Welcome to Our Blog

Tags

  • celebrity smiles (32)
  • chipped teeth (1)
  • pediatric dentistry (3)
  • wisdom teeth (2)
  • snoring (1)
  • sleep apnea (1)
  • braces (6)
  • orthodontics (4)
  • headgear (1)
  • gum disease (3)
  • oral hygiene (13)
  • orthodontic treatment (5)
  • anchorage devices (1)
  • abscessed tooth (1)
  • jaw pain (1)
  • dental implants (7)
  • crowns (2)
  • mouthrinse (1)
  • tooth grinding (1)
  • oral cancer (3)
  • cold sore (1)
  • flossing (1)
  • mouthguards (2)
  • oral health (7)
  • seniors (1)
  • cosmetic dentistry (2)
  • partial dentures (1)
  • mouthguard (1)
  • tooth pain (1)
  • porcelain veneers (1)
  • missing tooth (1)
  • pediatric care (1)
  • tooth decay (1)
  • nutrition (2)
  • toothpaste (1)
  • dental emergency (1)
  • dental injury (2)
  • root canal treatment (2)
  • teeth whitening (1)
  • periodontal (gum) disease (1)
  • thumb sucking (1)
  • bad breath (1)
  • bonded retainer (1)
  • teeth wear (1)
  • metal allergies (1)
  • chipped tooth (1)
  • loose teeth (1)
  • veneers (1)
  • teething (1)
  • dental visits (1)
  • gum recession (1)
  • extractions (1)

Categories:

  • None (1)
  • Dental Procedures (34)
  • Oral Health (38)

Our Location

Eleven Atlantic Avenue
2nd Floor
Marblehead, MA 01945-3230
(781) 631-2207

Map & directions

Office Hours
Monday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday:8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Saturday:Closed
Sunday:Closed
  • Home
  • Staff
  • Offices
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Education
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Dentist Website Design Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map