How tight should my retainer be?

In most cases, it's normal for a new retainer to feel tight. If your retainer is tight but still fits over your teeth, you can continue to wear it. In fact, retainers are made to be snug to prevent your teeth from moving out of place. In most cases, a tight retainer won't damage your teeth or gums.

Are retainers supposed to be tight when you first get them?

A New Retainer May Hurt at First

When you first get your braces off and receive your retainer, you may notice your retainer feels very tight and snug. This may even cause pain or discomfort. This is normal and typically subsides within the first few days of wear as your teeth settle.

How loose should retainer be?

You will find that your retainers will feel loose after a few weeks. This is expected and desirable. We just don't want them so loose that they fall out of your mouth when talking. Do not flip your retainers up and down.

How do I know if my retainer fits?

To test if your retainer still fits, you can place it gently in your mouth and see if it slips into place. If your retainer fits correctly, it will feel somewhat snug and gradually loosen up to eliminate any discomfort. If it doesn't fit easily, make an appointment with your orthodontist to ask for help.

How is a plastic retainer supposed to fit?

The plastic should fit snugly over your whole row of teeth, and should not move. Make sure your retainer fits over all of your teeth, including in the back to hold it in place. If your retainer is falling out, or not staying in place, you may not have anchored it properly.

5 Things You Must Know About Retainers

Can tight retainer damage your teeth?

In most cases, a tight retainer won't damage your teeth or gums. You may experience some discomfort during your first few days of retainer treatment. However, your discomfort will likely go away after a few days. If things don't improve, or your pain worsens, you should talk to your orthodontist about your concerns.

Can a tight retainer make your teeth fall out?

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.

Are retainers supposed to touch the roof of your mouth?

Is your retainer supposed to touch the top of your mouth? At first, it might feel like there is a space between an upper retainer and the top of your mouth. As the retainer settles over a couple of days this inclination will disappear. Try not to flip the retainer with your tongue.

Why does my retainer feel tight every night?

If the night retainers feel too tight, there is a large amount of pressure from the teeth. Should you stop wearing the night retainer at this point, the teeth will start to move again. As a starting point, the night retainers are worn as long as it takes for the teeth to settle in their new position.

Where should my retainer sit?

The appliance should seat down fully around the teeth and the labial bow (modified with or without an acrylic facing) should fit snugly against the teeth without any obvious air gaps between the wire and the teeth or between the acrylic facing (if used) and teeth.

Do retainers get looser over time?

Retainers wear down overtime and grow wider. This is why they can feel loose eventually, even if you have been good about wearing it. The issue here is that you are no longer getting the benefit of wearing the retainer. A loose retainer will not keep your teeth in place.

Should I be able to move my retainer with my tongue?

DO NOT REMOVE/POP OUT YOUR RETAINERS WITH YOUR TONGUE! The wire will break, which will necessitate a new retainer. After approximately 6 months you will be able to wear your retainers at night only.

Can retainers stretch out?

Yes – over time, the plastic retainer will stretch out and loosen. This is one of the ways regular wear and tear will eventually damage the retainer and require replacement. The retainer should feel very snug around your teeth at first, but over time, they may start to feel slightly looser.

Should I wear retainer if it hurts?

Do retainers hurt? At first, it may feel a bit uncomfortable to wear a retainer because your mouth simply isn't used to it. After a few days, however, any pressure and discomfort should subside and you should forget that you're even wearing your retainer.

What do you do if your retainer is too tight?

If your retainers feel tight, but not painful, keep wearing them full time over the next few days until they start to feel okay. Hopefully, they will gently nudge your teeth back in line. If your retainers are painful, or you can't get them to fit over your teeth, don't force them.

Why can't I bite down with retainers?

MORE ABOUT CLEAR RETAINERS

Because the clear retainers cover your teeth, when you bite down on something you will be biting the clear material of your retainer. This biting may cause damage to the retainer over time.

Will my teeth shift without retainer for 2 weeks?

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.

Are metal or clear retainers better?

A metal retainer is just as effective as a clear retainer is. They are durable and can last for decades. However, one of the challenges patients have with them is that they can be uncomfortable and make it very difficult to speak.

How long does it take for a lisp to go away with a retainer?

You should be able to talk with relative ease within one month to two months of getting your retainer. Your tongue will eventually adapt to the retainer. If you practice a lot, using all types of words, you will eventually be able to speak normally.

Is it normal for teeth to wiggle slightly?

Do teeth wiggle a little naturally? Well, yes, all teeth are a little bit wiggly because of periodontal ligament fibers. These are wrapped around your tooth root. However, any loosening beyond 1 millimetre is a sign of concern.

How do you know if your retainer is too small?

They'll have you try it on in the office to be sure if it fits. If you wear the retainer irregularly, or the retainer gets damaged or misshapen, it won't fit snugly anymore: either it will feel loose, or so tight that you have to wedge it into your mouth.

Why do my teeth feel weird after wearing retainer?

When you wear a retainer for any reason, certain teeth may feel pressure and might even feel sore for the first few days. If you experience this, don't worry — it's completely normal. Retainers can help many mouth problems besides shifting teeth.

Are bottom retainers supposed to be loose?

No: They should fit snug. See your orthodontists soon. Loose retainer: Yes, with good regular wear, it is common for a retainer to become “slightly loose.” this is one of the reasons regular visits to your orthodontist, over many years, even infrequently, can be very advantageous. Your retainer may be adjusted.

Can a dentist remove a permanent retainer?

Having Your Permanent Retainer Removed

Because permanent retainers are cemented into place, they should only be removed by a dental professional. Attempting to remove a permanent retainer yourself could lead to serious injury and damage to your teeth.