Why Are My Teeth Sore After Wearing Retainers?

Teeth Adjusting to New Pressure

Retainers simply put a mild pressure against your teeth to hold them there. If you've recently transitioned from orthodontic treatment to retainers, your teeth are still in the process of stabilizing in their new position. This force can be uncomfortable, particularly when you first receive your retainers. It’s similar to the feeling you had when you first started wearing braces or clear aligners.

Solution: Such discomfort is typically transient and should pass within a day or two. If it hurts longer than a week, you'd better go to the ortho.

Wearing Retainers After a Long Break

When you forget to wear your retainers for a while and then you go back to it, your teeth hurt. It's because your teeth have moved slightly, and the retainers are pulling them back up.

Solution: You know, if you get your retainers back in and they hurt, then wear them more often so that your teeth get used to it and so that they don't move around as much. In cases of significant discomfort, consult your orthodontist for advice.

Retainer Fit Issues

In some cases, tooth pain associated with retainer wear is due to a bad fit of the retainer. It might press down on your teeth unevenly if the retainer doesn't fit well, and you'll be in pain.

Solution: If you ever feel like your retainers don't fit, you need to return to your orthodontist and get them checked or adjusted. ALIGNERCO also offers clear, custom-fitted retainers that fit your teeth with less discomfort and minimize the likelihood of poorly fitting pain.

Teeth Movement After Treatment

Even after the orthodontist touches your teeth, they aren't permanently secured. The bone around your teeth is alive and remodeling and some movement is normal. Retainers maintain this by holding their teeth in their desired place, but this movement will make them feel a little funny.

Solution: Wearing your retainers as prescribed by your orthodontist will help prevent significant movement. ALIGNERCO's clear retainers fit comfortably and effectively to help keep your teeth straight.

Gum and Soft Tissue Sensitivity

You also feel pain sometimes, not necessarily coming from the teeth but from the gums or other soft tissues in your mouth. The edges of retainers also have a way of rubbing your gums or cheeks just a bit.

Solution: Orthodontic wax can coat the edges of your retainer if your gums or soft tissues are tender. Do not rinse your retainers, or you'll get infected or at least make the situation worse. ALIGNERCO retainers are as smooth as they are comfortable and contribute to the minimal incidence of soft tissue trauma.

Take Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

If your teeth are particularly sensitive, it's useful to take an over-the-counter painkiller such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Always follow the dosage instructions provided.

Stick to a Soft Diet

For the first few days on retainers, crunchy or chewy food will hurt teeth more. 'Soft foods, soups, shakes, mashed potatoes, yogurt until the pain subsides,' according to it.

Massage Your Gums

Gently massaging your gums can increase blood circulation and reduce discomfort. You can put clean fingers down, just sort of tap it lightly on the spot if you have to, right over the sore spot.

Cold Compress

Ice on the cheeks will help the swelling and freeze the area so the pain won't be as bad. Put an ice pack in a towel and hold it for 10-15 minutes at a time.

Consistency is Key

It's important to wear your retainers as your orthodontist instructs you. If you’re inconsistent, the soreness may last longer or become more frequent. The more you wear your retainers, the faster your teeth get set in, and the less pain you feel.

ALIGNERCO provides the best retainers, clear, invisible, and comfortable so you can maintain your retention without unnecessary discomfort and therefore, you can keep your retention in check without having to remind yourself constantly.

Prolonged Soreness

It's probably something on your retainers if it hurts for more than a week or if it gets worse with time. In such cases, visit your orthodontist for an evaluation.

Severe Pain

If the discomfort turns into severe pain that makes it difficult to eat, speak, or wear your retainers, this is not typical. Severe pain might be a sign of something, such as a retainer that does not fit quite right, teeth moving too quickly, or some kind of dental problem.

Visible Changes in Teeth Alignment

Your teeth have moved or your bite has changed but you have been wearing your retainers every day, one of the other indicators that your retainers are not doing their job properly. It's important to consult your orthodontist to prevent further issues.

Irritated or Swollen Gums

While mild gum sensitivity is common, persistent gum irritation or swelling may signal that your retainers are not fitting properly or are causing an allergic reaction. This should be checked by a professional.

Comfortable Fit

ALIGNERCO retainers are also custom-fitted to your teeth and thus don't have the potential to cause the discomfort of a poorly fitting retainer. Rounded edges so that they don't rub your gums or your cheeks, and they are soft enough to wear daily.

Clear and Invisible

One of the major benefits of ALIGNERCO retainers is that they are made from clear material, making them nearly invisible when worn. That way you can still smile and not feel embarrassed about wearing retainers.

Affordable and Convenient

Unlike traditional retainers requiring multiple orthodontist visits, ALIGNERCO retainers are provided via an at-home service. They even make those custom retainers that you can mail out to your home, and it's so much quicker and cheaper.

Easy to Remove

ALIGNERCO retainers are removable, so you can clean them easily and keep your mouth healthy. It's nice being able to take your retainers out when you want to (like when you want to eat or brush your teeth because they take away some of the pain too).