Hi Beth. Yep, that’s the style of retainer I have. I’ll look into Efferdent. I need something, cuz that thing creeps me out!

It looks like you have outside access (the roof). I’m assuming the composters you looked for were all meant to be outdoors, correct? I believe my only indoor solution will be vermicomposting. And I’m just not sure I can go there!

Hi Meghan and Clif. I have a feeling that the bridge that Clif wears is different from the retainer that Meghan and I wear. Clif, your bridge is like false teeth, right? I’m assuming it fits between your actual teeth?

The retainer that Meghan and I wear (I’m also assuming) completely covers our teeth while we sleep. So I think it’s harder to clean than a bridge. You can’t just brush it out and expect to get out all the crud with a toothbrush. And the fact that it completely covers the teeth means that we want it to be well disinfected before putting it in our mouths so we don’t cause decay and gum problems.

I’m probably really grossing people out here. Anyway, since I only wear my retainers at night, I put them in Efferdent in the morning and let them soak all day.

As for the composter, click on the “gardening and composting” link on the right sidebar and you’ll see an article all about my compost tumbler and comparing it with others.

Beth and Clif–

Okay, give me the lowdown on cleaning mouthpeices! Mine is rank, and brushing doesn’t seem to help. I have to wear a plastic-y flexi retainer at night because of grinding/clenching.

Beth, when I heard about the Efferdent, I thought I’d try that. Do you just soak it while you’re not wearing it?

But Clif, when I read your comment, it made me wonder. If I add soaking it in tap water to the morning brushing, will that really get rid of the ickiness? Cuz I don’t even want to put that disgusting thing in my mouth anymore.

PS, Beth – I’m the urban composting questioning friend Michelle refers to. Is it not vermicomposting? That’s all I can find. Thanks Michelle!!

Beth,

In the interview, you mentioned something about using an ‘urban composter.’ Would you mind giving me more information about this product? I have a friend who lives in an apartment and I think she would like to compost. Any tips and/or suggestions about this urban composter would be much appreciated!!

:0)
M

Beth, I listened to the long version of the interview and wanted to comment on the Efferdent you mentioned. Forget it! I was told by my dentist to use the stuff over a decade ago and rejected the idea as just another thing to buy that could be avoided. I have a 2-tooth bridge, some variation of which I’ve worn since I was a teenager and I simply brush it and leave it in tap water overnight. No evidence of any deterioration or discoloration of the two false teeth it holds. So, this old-timer says – you can safely avoid thousands of Efferdent applications over the years, not to mention the packaging you mentioned.

I’ve noticed that don’t-fix-it-buy-a-new-one lately. When’s the last time you saw a TV commercial for a repair shop that wasn’t local? Sears (who had one of the more visible “fix it” campaigns with the Maytag Repair Man) recently ran one where the woman’s washer stopped working, and she called and had a new one delivered the next day. Don’t even bother taking a look at it, folks.