What happens if you don't wear your retainer?

What happens if you don't wear your retainer?

Cleveland Clinic says teeth can move back toward their old positions without a retainer, which can stop the upper and lower teeth lining up when the mouth is closed. The American Association of Orthodontists says teeth continue to move throughout life, even after treatment, and that without retainers they can drift back toward their original positions, though minor changes are considered normal and retainers help prevent significant reversion. How quickly this happens varies, and the sources do not give a time.

Why do teeth move back?

The AAO says teeth move through bone remodelling, a lifelong process, and that braces use the same process, so once treatment ends teeth naturally attempt to return to their original positions. Retainers hold them in their corrected positions. It warns that skipping them even for a few days could allow teeth to shift significantly, and that many people may need to wear retainers for life. Our guides on wearing retainers forever explain the schedule.

Why does my retainer feel tight?

Cleveland Clinic says if the retainer feels too tight or no longer fits, your teeth have probably shifted, and you cannot adjust the current retainer yourself: your dental provider needs to adjust it or make a new one. Do not wait long, because the longer you wait the more your teeth can shift and the harder it is to get a good fit. Do not force it on, which could damage the retainer or your teeth and is general advice.

Why does my retainer feel loose?

Cleveland Clinic's page does not address a loose fit or looseness on one side and says to contact your provider for guidance. A retainer can loosen if it is damaged or warped, or if teeth have moved in a way that leaves gaps; the sources do not say. Heat can warp a removable retainer, according to Healthline's retainer cleaning page, which we cite in our retainer guides. Have your orthodontist check the fit.

Will wearing it again fix the shift?

Cleveland Clinic says forgetting to wear it for a short time, or not wearing it for a long time, can cause discomfort when you resume, and that wearing it again may gently nudge small, short-term shifts back into place, but this usually does not work for larger changes. The AAO says minor shifts may be handled by adjusting the retainer, while more serious cases may need a short round of braces or aligners.

What if you have lost or broken your retainer?

Cleveland Clinic says to call your provider if you lose or break your retainer, because a broken one can irritate your gums or lips. Your provider can adjust the existing retainer or make a new one. Our replacement retainer cost guide explains what to ask.

How should you wear a retainer?

Cleveland Clinic says to wear it full-time for at least four to six months and then at night long-term. The AAO says wear typically begins right after treatment ends and tapers to night-time as your orthodontist directs, and a simple routine is to brush and floss before bed and then put the retainer in. Fixed retainers stay bonded in place, so there is no nightly removal.

Can you stop teeth moving without a retainer?

The sources we read describe no other reliable way to hold teeth in place. The AAO says retainers hold teeth in their corrected positions, and that minor shifts may be handled by adjusting the retainer while more serious cases may need a short round of braces or aligners. If you have already stopped wearing yours, book a check before the shift becomes larger; ask your orthodontist whether a fixed retainer would suit you.

Questions to ask your orthodontist

Take these to your next visit.

• How many hours a day should I wear my retainer now?
• What should I do if it feels tight?
• Can you check whether my teeth have shifted?
• Do I need a new retainer or an adjustment?
• Would a fixed retainer suit me?

Frequently asked questions