Niche question, has anyone experienced excessive driving mouth after getting a permanent retainer? My orthodontist is very hesitant to remove mine because he’s convinced it’s not the permanent retainer as he’s never heard of it cause dry mouth.
He wanted professional guidance on this and I have asked rheum about it and awaiting a response.
I do take hydroxychloroquine BUT i was experiencing dry mouth before I was started on it AND the excessive dry mouth only started when I got the permanent retainer.
Have any of you heard of lupus, or any autoimmune disease, that perhaps does not like things such as permanent retainers and dries out the mouth?
Please any experience or knowledge you have will be helpful!
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Sandy1212
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Hi Sandy1212I don't have a retainer but I have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine with a full face mask. This blows air into my nose and mouth overnight and as a result my mouth is bone dry by morning.
I have Sjogren's so my mouth is dry anyway. If your retainer is keeping your mouth partially open it is possible this is promoting dryness, especially if you have sicca symptoms as well.
If this is the case maybe the retainer can be adjusted? Or you could try using a dry mouth gel inside the device itself. I believe some people, who are mouth breathers, use a small piece of surgical tape on their lips to keep their mouths closed overnight and encourage breathing through the nose. (I've never tried this!)
Incidentally my sister, who has lupus, wears a retainer and does not seem to have an excessively dry mouth.
Hi Sandy1212, I have MCTD with sjogrens and therefore have a dry mouth. But also wear a splint due to grinding my teeth. I have had to use a gel at night or my mouth is like the Sahara desert and it will awake me in the night. I use biotene gel and get it on prescription. I've been seen at the dental hospital who confirmed severe dry mouth. But the mouth gel really works well for me. Hope you find a solution. x
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