It’s common for people to start orthodontic treatment and forget about the next step—wearing a retainer. Our team at Eastern Virginia Orthodontics wants to educate you about retainers and what happens if you stop wearing them.
Teeth Never Stop Moving
This fact might surprise you, but it’s part of the science of your body! Even if you aren’t undergoing orthodontic treatment, your teeth still move and shift a little over time—but with orthodontic treatment, it becomes more important to keep everything in their new positions.
Let’s say someone stops wearing their retainer. Here’s how extensively your teeth can move over time, also known as “orthodontic relapse.”
- The First Few Days: Small Shifts Begin: You may not notice immediate changes, but your teeth will start to settle into a more relaxed position without the constant reinforcement of your retainer.
- Weeks to Months: Noticeable Shifts: Skipping your retainer for a few weeks may result in slight crowding or spacing issues. Gaps that were closed during treatment can start to reopen.
- One Year or More: Relapse Becomes Severe: If a retainer is neglected for too long, teeth can move significantly, often requiring an entire second round of orthodontic intervention to correct. This can be a costly mistake.
Helping to Educate Your Child
Since retainers operate based on the compliance of the person prescribed to wear them, it’s no wonder our younger patients can struggle a little bit. For parents of kids who have undergone treatment at Eastern Virginia Orthodontics, these suggestions might help you implement better retainer use (you can also use these tips for yourself!):
- Explain Why Retainers Matter: Kids are more likely to follow through when they understand the importance of their retainer. Explain that without it, their teeth could shift back, undoing all the hard work of wearing braces. You might be able to find some Youtube videos to help.
- Make It Part of Their Routine: Help your child develop a habit by linking retainer wear to their existing oral routines. Have them put it in right after brushing their teeth in the morning and before bed to create a natural routine.
- Set Up Reminders: Forgetting is one of the biggest reasons kids don’t wear their retainer. Use phone alarms, sticky notes, or a reminder chart to help them remember.
- Choose a Fun Retainer Case: Letting kids pick out a colorful or personalized retainer case covered with fun stickers can make it more enjoyable. This also helps them keep track of it and avoid losing it.
- Be a Role Model: If you or another family member wears a retainer or night guard, show your child that it’s just part of good oral care.
What to Do If Your Retainer No Longer Fits
With all of that said, we know that mistakes can still happen. A good example is if a patient is dealing with serious mental or physical strain, they might begin to neglect to wear their retainer regularly as they recover. They might suddenly realize one day it doesn’t fit correctly.
Here is how to take action if this occurs:
- Don’t force it. Trying to squeeze your teeth back into an ill-fitting retainer can cause discomfort or other manners of damage.
- Schedule an appointment. Dr. Peluso or Dr. Savage can assess how much your teeth have moved and help determine if a new retainer is needed.
- Act quickly. Remember that the sooner you address the issue, the less likely you’ll need additional orthodontic correction. When things go wrong, it’s important to communicate openly with our practice.
Why Choose Us?
If you’ve decided it’s time for orthodontic treatment, the next step is probably finding your provider. Eastern Virginia Orthodontics is a special practice, for a number of reasons:
- Expertise Spanning Decades: Since 1961, Eastern Virginia Orthodontics has been a trusted orthodontic care provider. While technology has evolved, our commitment to patient-centered care remains unchanged! Dr. Anthony Peluso and Dr. Ross Savage continue this tradition, offering advanced treatments with a personal touch.
- Personalized Care from a Locally Owned Practice: Unlike corporate orthodontic chains, we are proud to be a locally owned small business with deep ties to the Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake communities. We believe in relationship-based care, where every patient feels like part of our orthodontic family.
- Modern Treatment in a Warm, Welcoming Environment: Gone are the days of awkward, outdated orthodontic techniques. Our team uses the latest technology to ensure that treatment is as comfortable as possible. Plus, our offices are designed to be warm and inviting—because your experience should be as pleasant as your results.
We’d love to see you or a family member soon for a free consultation at your convenience. New patients are always welcome!