Why Are My Teeth Sore After Wearing Retainers?

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Sore teeth

When you first start wearing retainers after bracing, your teeth can be a little sore or tender. This is common, particularly in the first days or weeks. Retainers play a vital role in maintaining your newly straightened teeth, but it’s essential to understand why your teeth might feel sore after wearing them.

We'll cover what causes teeth to ache after you get retainers, what you can do to relieve the pain, and when to worry. We'll also present ALIGNERCO, a company that makes comfortable, affordable, easy-to-remove clear retainers so that you can keep your gorgeous smile - without the pain.

Straighten your teeth with ALIGNERCO clear aligners! Take a FREE ASSESSMENT now!

What Are Retainers, and Why Are They Important?

teeth retainers
Teeth retainers placed on a black surface

Retainers are individually fitted mouthpieces to keep your teeth positioned after braces or clear aligners. Once your teeth are put in the new position, it takes time for them to adapt to the new shape of their alignment. 'The bone, gum, and ligaments around the teeth must settle down so that the teeth don't wander. Retainers provide the support necessary during this critical phase.

Without wearing retainers, your teeth can gradually shift back to their original misaligned positions, undoing the results of your orthodontic treatment. To help avoid this, orthodontists recommend that patients wear their retainers constantly, or during the first few months after treatment is over.

Why Do My Teeth Feel Sore After Wearing Retainers?

Experiencing sore teeth after wearing retainers is a common concern. There are several reasons why this discomfort occurs:

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.

How to Relieve Teeth Soreness After Wearing Retainers

dental pain
A woman with relieved pain in her teeth

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.

When Should You Be Concerned About Teeth Soreness?

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.

The Benefits of Clear Retainers from ALIGNERCO

retainers
A person holding clear retainers

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).

Conclusion

If you’re experiencing teeth soreness after wearing retainers, you’re not alone. It's common, which typically clears up after a couple of days. If you know the source of the pain and act to eliminate it, you can still wear your retainers without pain and maintain the benefits of your orthodontic treatment.

It could be your teeth getting used to the pressure, coming off of retainers, or a fit problem and your ability to withstand the pain will ensure your compliance with your retention schedule. For those looking for an affordable, comfortable solution, ALIGNERCO’s clear retainers are an excellent choice. They provide all the benefits of traditional braces, but none of the pain, to keep your smile straight and bright for years to come.

In case you need further information, call ALIGNERCO’s friendly customer support at +1 (877) 271-7417

FAQs

1. Why do my teeth feel sore after wearing retainers?

Teeth soreness after wearing retainers is common, especially in the initial days. Retainers put light pressure on your teeth to keep them in their new place, and this causes pain. This type of soreness usually passes quickly as your teeth get used to the pressure.

2. How long will it hurt when I get my retainers?

The soreness is, for the most part, for a couple of days to a week while your teeth get accustomed to the retainers. If the soreness persists beyond this or worsens, it's important to consult your orthodontist, as there may be an issue with the fit of the retainers.

3. If my teeth hurt, then I don't need to wear my retainers anymore.

Don't quit wearing your retainers because they hurt. Then you take them out and your teeth move, and it just hurts more when you put them back in. Instead, try wearing them consistently, as the soreness usually subsides with regular wear.

4. How to get my retainers when they don't fit and they hurt?

Your retainers should not be too tight in your mouth or even painful as well, but if they are they are not fitting right. Visit your orthodontist to have the fit checked. Or ALIGNERco's made-to-order clear retainers, which are tailored to fit snugly, and thus minimize the chance of ill-fitting retainers causing soreness.

5. How can I relieve soreness from wearing retainers?

If you have soreness, you can take non-prescription pain relievers, eat soft foods, massage your gums, and apply a cold compress. Wearing your retainers consistently will also help your teeth adjust more quickly, reducing soreness over time.

  • Sarah Williams

    Sarah Williams

    Content Contributor

    Sarah Williams es licenciada en Periodismo por la Universidad Northwestern. Su trabajo aparece a menudo en importantes publicaciones y desglosa descubrimientos científicos complejos y avances médicos en historias cautivadoras. Williams colabora habitualmente con alignerco.com y ha estado educando al público y a los profesionales dentales sobre el bienestar periodontal durante más... Read More

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    Dr. Anas Athar

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    El Dr. Anas Athar se ha ganado la reputación de ser un ortodoncista muy solicitado con casi dos décadas de experiencia en odontología. Es conocido por ser el único radiólogo y ortodoncista oral y maxilofacial con doble formación en todo Texas. Sus principales especialidades incluyen, entre otras, alineadores transparentes, ortodoncia... Read More

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