Retainers are an essential part of orthodontic treatment. They help to keep your teeth in their new, corrected positions after your braces are removed. If you don't wear your retainer as directed, your teeth can start to shift back to their original positions. This can cause pain, discomfort, and even damage to your teeth.
If you haven't worn your retainer in months and it hurts, don't panic. There are a few things you can do to help relieve the pain and get your teeth back on track.
To learn more about what to do if you haven't worn your retainer in months and it hurts, keep reading.
I Haven't Worn My Retainer in Months and It Hurts
If you're experiencing pain because you haven't worn your retainer, here are 8 important points to keep in mind:
- See your orthodontist.
- Retainer may need adjusting.
- Wear retainer as directed.
- Relieve pain with over-the-counter pain relievers.
- Use a cold compress.
- Avoid hard and chewy foods.
- Be patient.
- Regular retainer wear is essential.
By following these tips, you can help to relieve the pain and get your teeth back on track.
See Your Orthodontist
If you haven't worn your retainer in months and it hurts, the first thing you should do is see your orthodontist. They are the best person to assess the situation and recommend the best course of treatment.
- Retainer may need adjusting.
Over time, your teeth can shift slightly, which can cause your retainer to become uncomfortable or even painful. Your orthodontist can adjust the retainer so that it fits properly and doesn't cause any pain.
- Underlying problems.
In some cases, the pain may be caused by an underlying problem, such as gum disease or tooth decay. Your orthodontist can diagnose the problem and recommend the appropriate treatment.
- New retainer.
If your retainer is old or damaged, your orthodontist may recommend getting a new one. A new retainer will fit better and be more comfortable to wear.
- Treatment plan.
Your orthodontist will develop a treatment plan to help you get your teeth back on track. This may involve wearing your retainer more often, wearing a different type of retainer, or undergoing additional orthodontic treatment.
By following your orthodontist's instructions, you can help to relieve the pain and get your teeth back on track.
Retainer May Need Adjusting
If you haven't worn your retainer in months, it's likely that your teeth have shifted slightly. This can cause your retainer to fit improperly, which can lead to pain and discomfort.
Your orthodontist can adjust your retainer so that it fits properly and doesn't cause any pain. This is a relatively simple procedure that can be done in the orthodontist's office.
In some cases, your orthodontist may need to make a new retainer for you. This is usually necessary if your teeth have shifted significantly or if your old retainer is damaged.
Wearing a properly fitting retainer is essential for keeping your teeth in their new, corrected positions. If you experience any pain or discomfort while wearing your retainer, see your orthodontist right away. They can adjust the retainer or make a new one so that you can wear it comfortably.
By following your orthodontist's instructions and wearing your retainer as directed, you can help to keep your teeth healthy and beautiful for years to come.
Wear Retainer as Directed
Your orthodontist will give you specific instructions on how to wear your retainer. It's important to follow these instructions carefully in order to keep your teeth in their new, corrected positions and avoid pain.
- Wear your retainer as prescribed.
Your orthodontist will tell you how often and for how long you need to wear your retainer. It's important to follow these instructions carefully.
- Be consistent.
The key to successful retainer wear is consistency. Wear your retainer every day, as directed by your orthodontist.
- Only remove your retainer for eating and cleaning.
Your retainer should be worn at all other times, even when you're sleeping.
- Clean your retainer regularly.
Brush your retainer gently with a toothbrush and toothpaste every day. You can also soak your retainer in a denture cleaner once a week.
By following these tips, you can help to keep your teeth healthy and beautiful for years to come.
Relieve Pain with Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
If you're experiencing pain from wearing your retainer, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers to help relieve the discomfort.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Acetaminophen is a mild pain reliever that is safe for most people to take. It's available in tablet, capsule, and liquid form.
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can help to reduce pain and inflammation. It's available in tablet, capsule, and liquid form.
- Naproxen sodium (Aleve).
Naproxen sodium is another NSAID that can help to reduce pain and inflammation. It's available in tablet and capsule form.
- Benzocaine (Orajel).
Benzocaine is a topical anesthetic that can help to numb the pain in your mouth. It's available in gel, spray, and lozenge form.
It's important to follow the dosage instructions on the package carefully. Do not take more than the recommended dose. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before taking any over-the-counter pain relievers.
Use a Cold Compress
A cold compress can help to reduce pain and inflammation in your mouth. To make a cold compress, simply fill a bag with ice cubes or frozen peas and apply it to the outside of your cheek, over the area where you're experiencing pain. You can also use a cold compress to help relieve pain after adjusting your retainer.
Here are some tips for using a cold compress:
- Wrap the ice pack or frozen peas in a thin cloth or towel to protect your skin.
- Apply the cold compress to the affected area for 15-20 minutes at a time.
- Repeat every few hours as needed.
Cold compresses can be a helpful way to relieve pain and inflammation from wearing a retainer. If you're experiencing significant pain, see your orthodontist right away.
By following these tips, you can help to relieve the pain and discomfort of wearing a retainer. Remember to be patient and consistent with your retainer wear, and see your orthodontist regularly for checkups.
Avoid Hard and Chewy Foods
When you're wearing a retainer, it's important to avoid eating hard and chewy foods. These foods can put stress on your retainer and cause it to break or become damaged. They can also irritate your gums and cause pain.
- Hard foods.
Hard foods, such as nuts, seeds, and popcorn, can damage your retainer and your teeth.
- Chewy foods.
Chewy foods, such as gum, taffy, and caramels, can stick to your retainer and pull it out of place.
- Sticky foods.
Sticky foods, such as candy and dried fruits, can also stick to your retainer and cause problems.
- Foods that require a lot of biting or chewing.
These foods, such as steak, corn on the cob, and apples, can put stress on your retainer and cause it to break.
It's best to avoid these foods while you're wearing your retainer. If you do eat something hard or chewy, be sure to brush and floss your teeth afterwards to remove any food particles that may have gotten stuck in your retainer.
Be Patient
It's important to be patient when you're wearing a retainer. It may take some time for your teeth to adjust to their new positions. During this time, you may experience some pain or discomfort. This is normal and should go away within a few weeks.
If you're experiencing significant pain, see your orthodontist right away. However, if the pain is mild to moderate, there are a few things you can do to help relieve it:
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
- Use a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain.
- Avoid hard and chewy foods.
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water several times a day.
With a little patience, the pain from wearing your retainer will eventually go away. In the meantime, be sure to follow your orthodontist's instructions and wear your retainer as directed.
Remember, wearing a retainer is an important part of orthodontic treatment. It helps to keep your teeth in their new, corrected positions and prevents them from shifting back to their original positions. By being patient and following your orthodontist's instructions, you can help to ensure a successful orthodontic outcome.
Regular Retainer Wear is Essential
The most important thing you can do to keep your teeth in their new, corrected positions is to wear your retainer as directed by your orthodontist. This means wearing your retainer every day, even when you're sleeping.
- Keeps teeth in place.
Your retainer helps to keep your teeth in their new positions and prevents them from shifting back to their original positions.
- Prevents relapse.
If you don't wear your retainer as directed, your teeth may start to shift back to their original positions. This is called relapse. Relapse can ruin the results of your orthodontic treatment.
- Maintains a healthy smile.
Wearing your retainer helps to maintain a healthy smile by keeping your teeth straight and aligned.
- Prevents pain and discomfort.
If your teeth shift back to their original positions, you may experience pain and discomfort. Wearing your retainer as directed can help to prevent this.
By wearing your retainer as directed, you can help to ensure a successful orthodontic outcome and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile for years to come.
FAQ
If you have questions about wearing your retainer for months, here are some frequently asked questions and answers:
Question 1: How long do I need to wear my retainer for?
Answer 1: You will need to wear your retainer for as long as you want to keep your teeth in their new positions. This could be for months, years, or even a lifetime. Your orthodontist will give you specific instructions on how long you need to wear your retainer.
Question 2: What happens if I don't wear my retainer for a month?
Answer 2: If you don't wear your retainer for a month, your teeth may start to shift back to their original positions. This can cause pain, discomfort, and relapse. Relapse is when your teeth move back to their original positions after orthodontic treatment.
Question 3: Can I take my retainer out to eat or drink?
Answer 3: Yes, you can take your retainer out to eat or drink. However, you should put your retainer back in as soon as you are finished eating or drinking.
Question 4: How do I clean my retainer?
Answer 4: You should clean your retainer every day. You can clean your retainer by brushing it with a toothbrush and toothpaste. You can also soak your retainer in a denture cleaner once a week.
Question 5: What should I do if my retainer breaks?
Answer 5: If your retainer breaks, you should see your orthodontist right away. Your orthodontist will be able to fix or replace your retainer.
Question 6: What are some tips for wearing my retainer?
Answer 6: Here are some tips for wearing your retainer:
- Wear your retainer every day, as directed by your orthodontist.
- Take your retainer out to eat and drink, but put it back in as soon as you are finished.
- Clean your retainer every day.
- See your orthodontist regularly for checkups.
By following these tips, you can help to keep your teeth in their new, corrected positions and prevent relapse.
For more information on retainer wear, talk to your orthodontist.
Tips
Here are a few tips for wearing your retainer for months:
Tip 1: Wear your retainer as directed by your orthodontist.
This means wearing your retainer every day, even when you're sleeping. The only time you should take your retainer out is to eat or drink.
Tip 2: Keep your retainer clean.
You should clean your retainer every day by brushing it with a toothbrush and toothpaste. You can also soak your retainer in a denture cleaner once a week.
Tip 3: Avoid hard and chewy foods.
Hard and chewy foods can damage your retainer and your teeth. Avoid eating foods such as nuts, seeds, popcorn, gum, and taffy.
Tip 4: See your orthodontist regularly.
You should see your orthodontist regularly for checkups. Your orthodontist will be able to check the fit of your retainer and make sure that your teeth are staying in their new positions.
By following these tips, you can help to keep your teeth in their new, corrected positions and prevent relapse.
With a little care and attention, you can keep your smile healthy and beautiful for years to come.
Conclusion
Wearing a retainer for months is an important part of orthodontic treatment. It helps to keep your teeth in their new, corrected positions and prevents them from shifting back to their original positions.
If you don't wear your retainer as directed, your teeth may start to shift back, which can cause pain, discomfort, and relapse. Relapse is when your teeth move back to their original positions after orthodontic treatment.
To avoid relapse, it's important to wear your retainer every day, as directed by your orthodontist. You should also keep your retainer clean and avoid hard and chewy foods. See your orthodontist regularly for checkups so that they can monitor the fit of your retainer and make sure that your teeth are staying in their new positions.
With a little care and attention, you can keep your smile healthy and beautiful for years to come.