ADHD & Orthodontists
I don't even know if I'm asking in the right place but if anyone has any tips or tricks, this exhausted mum would greatly appreciate them.
My son has ADHD and is currently receiving orthodontic treatment through braces on his top teeth and a retainer on the bottom to hold the bottom teeth in the right place until they get the top teeth in the right position. The issue is my son hates his retainer. We are currently on our second retainer due to him "misplacing" them (verdict is still out on if he is losing them on purpose or not. Typical teenager.) He claims he just forgets to put it back in after he eats and I know it is in the house somewhere as he doesn't eat at school (that's another issue entirely) but we are at a loss as to where it could be. He complains about the retainer being uncomfortable and I try and sympathise with him because I remember what it was like when I had to wear my retainers when I had my braces removed, but he can't tell us why the retainer is uncomfortable. He says it's not rubbing anywhere or causing pain. Could this just be a sensory issue that we just have to keep battling with him? His response every time we ask him why he hasn't put his retainer back in when we have found it is always "you know me mum, I'm just forgetful." or yelling at us for reminding him to put it back in. I'm at a loss here and have no idea of anything else I can do that help. I keep asking his orthodontist how much longer he has to wear it for and the response is always, just a little bit longer.