While the retainer shouldn't rip your teeth out of your gums, it could cause them to become loose. That's due to the pressure they put on the teeth.
Teeth Can Move Once Braces Are Off
Since your teeth no longer have the pressure once treatment is complete, there is a normal settling process that occurs. In some cases, these tiny shifts can actually improve the bite even more. Additionally, your body undergoes constant change.
Teeth are secured not directly into the bone, but with a tough but flexible ligament. This ligament allows the tooth to wiggle just a little bit. About a hundredth of an inch is normal, just enough that you might feel it move under significant pressure, but you shouldn't actually be able to see the movement.
Baby and permanent teeth are both slightly pliable because of your periodontal ligaments, the small muscle fibers that hold the roots of your teeth in place. Although some movement is normal, if a tooth can move more than 1 mm, it has greater mobility than it should.
Ultimately, your retainers are made to keep your teeth in place, not to move them, but they may be able to slightly shift your teeth back in the right circumstances. If it has been too long and your old retainer no longer fits snugly, you should contact your dentist in order to come up with a solution.
If you lose your retainer or just stop wearing it, your teeth can begin to shift back to their natural position in as little as two weeks. It could be just one tooth shifting that creates a gap, or it could be a few teeth that cause numerous issues.
Rule of thumb is: you have to wear your retainers for as long as you want them to be straight. Your teeth begin to shift if you don't wear retainers at night every day. If you go a week without wearing retainers, you may notice a small amount of relapse, small spaces, or rotations.
As you get older, your jaw muscles, ligaments, tissues, and fibers surrounding your teeth can weaken. As a result, your teeth can loosen and shift. In some cases, changes to your facial features caused by age can place pressure on your teeth, pushing them inward.
Why Do My Teeth Feel Loose? If your teeth feel loose, it is likely due to one of three main causes: gum disease, trauma or bruxism. Of these, gum disease is the most common cause. Gum disease occurs when pockets of bacteria are created between the tooth and the gums, causing them to recede and make the tooth loose.
One of the best treatments to stabilize a loose tooth is tooth splinting. In this process, the tooth will be bonded to the teeth around it in order for it to be stable. Whether the tooth is loose due to gum disease or any other reason, tooth splinting will help in stabilizing it.
Mix a tablespoon of salt in 6 ounces of warm water and swish vigorously around in your mouth. Continue this at least for a minute before you rinse, spit and repeat. This will draw out all that hidden bacteria effectively. Gradually, your gums will begin to strengthen and so will the loose tooth.
If not repaired or replaced quickly the teeth will shift and move. Fixed retainers are made out of various metal alloys. Like all metal that are subject to stress they can stretch over time. If the retainer stretches some spaces and small movement can occur.
It's natural for teeth to want to move back to where they were. Even if you wore braces for three years, your teeth have a long memory. Teeth movement can happen soon after braces, or take many years to occur. Teeth shift as part of the aging process.
Any cause of a loose adult tooth is a potential cause for concern, but the main cause (gum disease) is almost entirely avoidable through simple hygiene. So, to prevent a loose adult tooth, brush twice daily, floss and try antibacterial rinses to stop gum disease from forming.
A tooth which is only slightly loose may well tighten back up itself, though it's best to consult your dentist in case anyway. You may notice some light bleeding at the tooth, and will need to avoid biting/chewing with it- rather stick to soft foods as outlined above.
The most often cause of sudden tooth sensitivity is the thinner enamel they have on their teeth. Enamel is the protective outer layer and coating of a tooth that protects it. If it's worn down enough, your teeth get more sensitive and are also prone to other issues.
Teeth Shifting Without Retainers
The longer you go without wearing retainers, the more your teeth can shift. Not wearing your retainer for a night or two is not likely to cause an issue, but if you continue to not wear it, the shift can become greater and greater.
In general, it can take years for teeth to shift significantly, though teeth can start moving slowly back into their old positions after only a few weeks or months.
If your teeth are more tender or more sensitive than usual, this could indicate shifting teeth. An uncomfortable or ill-fitting retainer. Your orthodontist will custom-make your retainer to fit your well-aligned teeth perfectly. So if your retainer no longer fits, this is a sure sign your teeth have shifted.
Is it OK if I don't wear my retainer for a week or two? Throughout your retention phase, it's possible for your teeth to shift a bit if you go without wearing your retainer for a week or two. Your retainer may feel tight on your teeth when you put it back in.
It is critical to wear your retainer according to your orthodontist's instructions. If you do not wear your retainer as instructed by your orthodontist, your teeth may revert to their previous position, negating the gains gained throughout your orthodontic treatment.
The First 2 Years: After your initial time of full-time wear, you will be able to start wearing your retainers during sleep only. From the Third Year to the Rest of Your Life: Now, you can wear your retainers a little bit less. Skipping an occasional night or two is no big deal.
If you are no longer wearing your retainer but are experiencing grinding or clenching at night, your dentist may need to create a mouthguard for you to wear during sleep. The mouthguard will be made of a thin, plastic material similar to your retainer.
The third and final phase of orthodontic treatment is the retention phase. This phase occurs once the teeth have moved into the desired position and the use of the dental appliance ceases.