Is my retainer making my teeth worse?

Unlike braces, retainers cannot be adjusted. By the time a patient who has had their braces removed notices a shift in the position of their teeth it is usually too late. At that point, wearing the retainer may, in fact, prove uncomfortable at best. In the worst cases, it will cause damage to the patient’s teeth.

What if my retainer doesn’t fit all the way?

Regardless of what the cause is, if your retainer isn’t fitting, you should schedule an appointment with an orthodontist immediately. The longer you wait, the more likely the effects of your braces or aligners will be reversed. However, if they’ve shifted too much, you may need to be refitted with braces.

Do retainers weaken teeth?

Wearing a retainer that doesn’t fit correctly is not only annoying and unhelpful, but it can also potentially damage the teeth and nearby tissues because it is placing too much pressure on them.

Can I force my old retainers to fit?

Never try to force your old retainer in your mouth. This can not only damage your retainer, but damage your smile too. If you have to exert any force to fit your retainer, see your orthodontist first and do not put it in your mouth.

How quickly will teeth move without retainer?

During this time, a week without your retainer may cause some minor shifting. Your retainer may feel a bit tighter on your teeth when you place it back in again. Throughout the rest of your retention phase, it’s still possible for your teeth to shift a bit if you go without wearing your retainer for a week.

Can you force your retainer to fit again?

Your teeth may have already started to shift back towards their original positions, and if you try to force your retainer in, you could hurt yourself. Your retainer should fit easily, so if you have to force it back on your teeth, it likely isn’t a good fit anymore.

Can retainers cause mouth sores?

Retainers can aggravate the delicate lining of your mouth, leading to canker sores. You can ask your orthodontist for a prescription for corticosteroid ointment or get something over the counter to reduce pain and inflammation, as well as heal the canker sore.

What happens if you don’t wear your retainer after braces?

If you don’t wear your retainer as prescribed by your orthodontist, especially in the first few months after your braces come off, you may find your teeth have started to drift a bit. So when you go to put your retainer in, it won’t fit the way it should because your teeth aren’t in the same position anymore.

How long do orthodontic retainers need to be worn?

Orthodontic retainers often need to be worn for years and in some cases for a lifetime. Upper and lower front teeth are most prone to relapse, but are also easy to hold in position with a fixed wire bonded to the tongue side of the teeth. Regular flossing between these teeth and under the wire is necessary for the health of the gums.

Why do I need a retainer replacement?

Over time, retainers will wear down and become wide and unfitting. When this happens, your retainer will no longer keep your teeth in place. It’s important to get a replacement before that happens because at that point your teeth will begin slowly shifting back to their original position again. What does your smile mean to you? Probably a lot.

Can I still wear my braces after 2 years of braces?

After two years the answer is NO! Check with your dentist to make sure they fit and that the teeth have not moved to the point of the retainer being a binder instead. If they can still fit its a possibility that you could still wear them. However you need to check with your orthodontist.