That's because your teeth have shifted out of position. 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. Aside from that, after years of not wearing your retainer, it probably isn't in the best shape.
Your teeth may begin to move with a retainer because the strength of the plastic doesn't hold your teeth in place. If you've ordered a retainer from another company before, make sure that they are quality by checking what type of material they are made from.
Normal Flexibility
Natural teeth are intended to have a little wiggle room. 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.
The wires can bend, changing the shape. This change can also place abnormal pressure on the teeth, resulting in pain. If you have an older retainer, the material may be breaking down, resulting in rough or sharp areas. These areas can contribute to sores within the mouth that can be irritating and hurt.
If you are looking to have your teeth moved into the correct position, you need aligners or braces. Retainers will not drastically change the position of your teeth.
How Long Does It Take to Shift? How much your teeth shift without a retainer will depend on a number of factors, including genetics and the type of orthodontic problem you had before treatment. Generally, a few days or even a week will not allow for severe teeth shifting.
A too-tight retainer can damage your teeth and the surrounding gums. The retainer also could become stuck, which would constitute a dental emergency for which you would need immediate care. A retainer that is too loose won't damage the teeth like forcing in a tight retainer can.
You'll need to wear your retainer for the rest of your life when you have your teeth straightening treatment ends. There are different phases to wearing your retainers.
To check if they work precisely, gently place the retainer in your mouth. It must slip into place without applying force, and once set in place, it must not move.
To determine whether your retainer still fits properly, carefully place it in your mouth and observe whether it slips into place. If your retainer is properly fitted, it will feel slightly snug at first and progressively relax up to alleviate any discomfort.
Changes to Bone Density
The mineral content of your bones can decrease during the aging process. As you lose bone, your teeth may not have the support they need to stay in place. The connections between your teeth and jawbone can weaken, allowing your teeth to move out of place.
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.
Periodontal disease and bone loss
The result is bone loss over teeth which means less support for your teeth. Teeth shifting (and mobility) is a common consequence and often causes gaps (spaces) to open up between your teeth.
So, Can Retainers Realign Teeth? In short, the answer is no. While braces are designed to place just enough pressure to guide your teeth into the desired positions, retainers are meant to simply hold your teeth in place.
No, you should not wear your retainer if it doesn't fit. Your retainer is custom-molded for the shape of your teeth. If you notice that your retainer isn't fitting as snugly as it should, stop wearing it and tell your dentist or orthodontist. If you got your retainer from a clear aligner company, contact them.
A fixed retainer comprises a tiny piece of wire custom-made to bond to the back of a person's teeth. It prevents your teeth from moving, and you can smile or speak without anyone noticing. Its longevity ranges from 5 to 10 years or even more. Fixed retainers can last for decades if you maintain them well.
Retainers keep your smile in place when active treatment is complete. Your orthodontist can give you a better idea of how long you may need to wear your retainer consistently for the best results. Generally, patients need to wear their retainers for life to ensure their smiles don't regress.
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.
Never soak your retainer in HOT/boiling water or run it through the dishwasher ; it can melt it and distort it. Never soak your retainer in mouthwash, rubbing alcohol, or bleach; the chemicals will distort it.
It's possible that your teeth have slightly shifted and wearing the retainer for a longer duration each day can prevent any further movement of your teeth. Try wearing your retainer full-time for a few days to encourage your teeth to move back into their correct positions.
In most cases, it's normal for a newly fitted retainer to feel tight and cause discomfort in the first few days. However, if discomfort continues after wearing the retainer for several days, you should reach out to your orthodontist for an adjustment.
Teeth only require a small amount of constant force to move. Under these light forces, the tooth will move at a healthy rate of less than 1mm per month.
Micro movements in teeth are often unnoticeable to the naked eye but lead to significant changes over time, especially if you undergo orthodontic treatment at a young age. And if you don't wear your retainer as prescribed, your teeth could start shifting within just a few weeks.
If you skip or lose your retainer for a week, it's possible to have some small amount of relapse. Like we said earlier, teeth can move back to their original positions without a retainer to provide guidance and pressure.