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Do I need to wear my retainer or what?
So recently today I recieved my retainer. Right now its hurting so badddd. He said to wear it 24/7 and that got me annoyed like why not wear it during the night? -.- But anyways, I'm 13 and I don't want to wear this thing forever. People at school always have to say something about it and it bothers me. The fact that I have to take it out during lunch every single day. I'm concern on what other kids are going to say about it so please help? ._. I HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS TOMORROW IN SCHOOL.
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Maybe give some free advice about: Mental health?
No you don't have to wear your retainer. If you don't want straight teeth and want your jaws to not be aligned then don't wear it. However, my advice doesn't stop here, because it is improper for me to suggest you don't wear it, when medical professionals suggest otherwise.
The reason you've been given a retainer is to line your jaw up. I wore one for a year and they made me look hideous-and really enhanced my chin.
I know its tricky and stuff especially at your age when you feel the most self conscious about yourself, but you have to realize you've been given this retainer to wear all the time for a reason.
Pretty soon, other kids wont notice you have it in anyway-it'll just become part of your mouth in a way. I mean they are designed to be as discrete as possible. I know-it feels like a big boulder in your mouth or something but its less obvious than you think.
If its too tight then get back to your orthodontist and ask them to slacken it slightly and take regular paracetemol.
Also, make sure you keep asking your orthodontist to give you a big explanation every time you see them as to how your treatment is progressing. That way they'll be more swift with dealing with you and so the retainer will be out quicker.
If you decide you don't want to wear it, tell your orthodontist about the decision and get them to explain why you have to wear it (have they not done this?) If you don't tell them they'll only give you a lot of grief at your next appointment.
I think its just down to self confidence. Get used to being comfortable with who you are (even with the retainer in your mouth). Love yourself and you'll learn to care less what your peers think.
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How can people have always said something to say about your retainer when you just received it today?
You must be talking about other incidents where kids made comments and you found you couldnt handle it. Good comments or bad comments, just the fact outgrowuthat someone is looking at you and watching you remove them at lunch may be enough to upset you. I was shy in school and at your age had not learned how to over come it. I didn't like people staring at me, when people laughed, I always thought the negative thing, that they were thinking I looked silly or strange or said something silly or strange. The problem unless bullying is going on, is more likely to be within yourself. Your parents paid good money for you to have your teeth worked on, and their money goes to waste and wearing it part time is not going to have the effect it is supposed to. Theres a reason why you are supposed to wear it 24/7, because without the constant guidance for your teeth to move a certain way, they will not move or may take 3 or 4 times as long to move. You need to learn how to toughen up and not take things so personally. It is possible. Don't consider sneaking them off once you leave for school and put them back on when you get home. The parents might not know but whats worse is you don't learn how to overcome this ANd, if you are supposed to wear it two years, how would you like to end up having to wear it 6 more years just because you didn't follow wearing instructions. The orthodontist will know when he sees you at your next appointment that something is wrong if the teeth are not where they are supposed to be by now.
So, theres no instant way to learn to get over being so self conscious and shy. I can help with the shyness later if you're interested, just write my asking for the steps how.
But for at school, here's what you do. Instead of waiting for someone to notice and point it out or tease you, be proactive, beat them to it. Take a deep breath, calm down and start with friends, and say: "Look at this, (open your mouth) I just got this retainer and have to wear it 24/7. I hate it. Doesn't it look awful? And it hurts so frickin much too." If you start out, it gives them a chance to respond naturally. Some may sympathize and tell you that they soon are going to have to wear one or have a sibling who wears one. YOu might even ask for opinions of the people you usually sit with for lunch and ask, would it bother you to see me remove it at the lunch table or do you think I should visit the restroom quick before lunch to do so? When you have said something first, asked for help or opinions, you have tricked your mind into seeing this as asking for help so that anything somebody says is not going to have a big negative impact because you now are inviting feedback.
For kids you don't know who might say something, respond good naturedly and they likely will never say anything again . LIke if they say, hey look at her, haha she has a mouthful. You turn to them and give a fake chuckle, saying " hahaha Yes I do. Just be thankful you don't have to wear one cus it hurts like hell." Once they see that any comments are not going to bother you, there is no reason to continue to make comments.
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