GERD & Heartburn Support Group

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is defined as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. This is commonly due to transient or permanent changes in the barrier between the esophagus and the stomach. If you are afflicted with GERD or heartburn, join the group and find support.

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Retainers and Reflux

deleted_user
deleted_user
I just got my braces taken off a few weeks ago. I have now started to wear retainers. After wearing them for a while i get reflux. If i continue to keep the retainers in my reflux gets worse and worse. I can't eat with retainers. When i get reflux, that's the first thing i do, take the retainers out and eat something. I can't be doing this as i'm suppost to be wearing the retainers as much as possible day and night for the first two weeks but i keep getting problems. Another one is dry mouth, thirst and dry lips. Now my lips have started to crack and bleed and they are painful when stretched or if salt gets on them. I get this even though i can drink water with retainers and i do that.

I usually only get reflux now if i don't eat straight away when hungry or when i get an illness and cold.
gramybear
gramybear
I got braces late in life on my bottom teeth. My dentist said to make sure to wear the retainer at least at night time, which I do. If we don't, our teeth will go back exactly as if we never had braces. He said dentists make most of their money from people who don't wear their retainers and their teeth go back. Just wanted to let you know that. Maybe talk to both your doctor and your dentist and let them know what you are going through. like I said, I only wear mine at night. And it's all been fine.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yes and know that and that's what worries me. I am doing the right thing but am suffering. Oh well, after one more week I'll only have to wear them at night. So hopefully my symptoms won't be as bad then.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have noticed that I am sensitive to dental work. Like when I got my braces on, I was in the worst pain and nothing would help it and I kept getting gingivitis. Even though I was doing everything I was told to do correctly I got troubles and my braces broke a few times, even though I had only eaten the softest foods. My teeth weren't the best for a while, even though I kept away from soft drinks, only stuck to water..
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have to wear a mouthguard at night to protect my teeth from grinding and I too get reflux while sleeping. You sometimes have to do what you need to do. I think the reflux is more about the foods you eat as it's coming from the stomach area not your mouth. I wouldn't understand how wearing something could cause that. Perhaps your anxiety is causing you to worry more about it and thus causes reaction in your body. I think you need to wear it to protect your teeth in the long run. If you chose to get braces then you need to follow through with their recommendations as you don't want your teeth to be crooked down the road. That did happen to my boyfriend. Best to you and ask your dentist if you still are concerned.
deleted_user
deleted_user
And if you need to eat more, watch the foods you are eating and remove your retainer and promptly put it back in. Digestive enzymes and a good probiotic help reflux symptoms.
deleted_user
deleted_user
After a while everything settled down.

My orthodontist said my teeth didn't move in the slightest.

I only have to wear the retainers at night now and no longer have significant problems.
gramybear
gramybear
I too wear a retainer but I am at the point now that I only have to wear it at night. The problem with not wearing them is that your teeth will go right back to the way they were. Dentists have told me that they make more money off of the people that don't wear their retainers because they have to start all over again. You can buy these black stands at Wal Mart that go under your bed on each side where your head goes. It raises the bed about 6 inches and helps a great deal with the reflux from coming back up at night. Also, don't eat laying down and don't eat 3 hours before going to bed. That includes fluids too. Hard to do but it can be done. Good luck hon.
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