My Dog Ate My Retainer
You can keep your retainer for years without having to buy a new one if you take proper care of it. Nonetheless, incidents can occur from time to time that will leave you without a retainer! Dogs don’t just eat homework; they seem to enjoy gnawing on your retainers as well. They can’t seem to stay away from your (apparently tasty) retainers, no matter how many dog toys they have! So, why do dogs gnaw on your retainers?
Why do your retainers get eaten by dogs?
Your dog is probably drawn to your retainer because of the odor. The smell of saliva is unappealing to us, but it is enticing to a dog with a highly sensitive nose! Furthermore, the plastic material used to make your retainers may have a texture similar to that of dog toys. Try telling a dog that this chewy object isn’t meant to be chewed on; they won’t understand!
If your dog gets his paws on your retainer, it will most likely be completely destroyed in seconds. When your retainers aren’t in your mouth, it’s critical to keep them safe; retainer cases come in handy for this. The cases will ensure that they are not sat on, thrown away, or otherwise harmed. Those dog noses, on the other hand, can still smell the retainer from inside its case. Keep retainers in a case when not in use and store them in a drawer or high on a counter when not in use.
If your dog eats your retainer, what should you do?
It’s critical to notify our office right away if your dog eats your retainer. If you don’t wear your retainer for even a short period of time, your teeth may begin to move out of alignment. When you’ve invested time and money to straighten your teeth, the last thing you want is for them to shift again. If a patient’s teeth move as a result of not wearing their retainers, they may need to have their teeth retreated and a new retainer made. The best way to avoid extra costs and stress is to have a backup!
Extra retainers as backup
If you live with a retainer-eating dog, it’s a good idea to keep back-up retainers on hand. Unless your orthodontist has said otherwise, you don’t want any time without your retainer because you don’t want your teeth to move back to their previous positions. You can relax until your new retainers are made if you have a spare retainer. Dr. Cox recommends that patients have a backup retainer, so they don’t have to worry about time without a retainer. A back-up retainer gives you the assurance you need, whether it’s chewed by a dog, thrown in the trash, or flushed down the toilet (it happens).
