What Happens After You Stop Wearing Your Retainers?

After orthodontic treatment, many patients are advised to wear a retainer for several months after receiving their results. Using a retainer after orthodontics and Invisalign® treatment is critical for realigning a patient’s smile and bite. While it is fair for people to forget to wear their retainers, especially after years of wearing braces or Invisalign aligners, these dental appliances should be worn precisely as prescribed to avoid orthodontic relapse and extend the life of your new smile. If you stop wearing your retainers, you should consult a dentist from cosmetic dentistry.

Stopped wearing your braces? What’s next

For those who have not undergone orthodontic treatment, you may not fully understand what a retainer means or how the appliance works. A retainer is manufactured specifically for each patient to put on after braces or Invisalign to help maintain the jaw alignment acquired after treatment. This keeps your smile from automatically returning to its previous posture. Most people are instructed to keep their retainers for a minimum of four to six months, but some may be mandated to put them on nightly for the remainder of their life. 

Mistakes to Avoid If You Quit Wearing Your Retainer

There are numerous reasons why patients quit wearing their retainers. Others simply forget to put it in after eating or brushing their teeth. Sometimes, they forget why they are supposed to wear it, or they feel it is not worth the trouble, and they stop wearing it purposely. Retainers can also break, deform, or get misplaced over time, and many patients do not want to go through the procedure of replacing them.

If you have not put on your retainer in a long time, avoid trying to start again. Your teeth have likely begun to shift back to their usual locations, and attempting to reinstall your retainer may cause damage to your teeth or gums. Your retainer should fit comfortably and smoothly, so if you have to force it back in, wearing it will probably cause more harm than good.

Steps to do if you stop wearing your retainer

If your retainer no longer fits, is distorted, or broken, or you cannot find it, schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. If you have damaged or misplaced your retainer, you need to get a replacement soon. Even if you have not worn your retainer in some time and your teeth have begun to shift, you might be ready to get by with a new one.

However, if your teeth have begun to shift significantly, you might need more orthodontic treatment. Fortunately, various accelerated treatment options exist, such as Invisalign Lite or Invisalign Express, which are ideal for patients whose teeth have regressed. 

Frequently asked questions

Can You skip a night without wearing my retainer?

It is likely that your teeth will move significantly if you miss one night of wearing your retainer. But if you avoid using it regularly, call your dentist to ensure your teeth remain intact and you do not need further care.

Can you skip your retainer for three days?

Since retainers are meant to hold your teeth in place, it could be challenging to go for an extended amount of time without wearing them. A day or two of missing it is acceptable, but if you miss too long, your teeth will begin to move.

Can You put your retainer on again after months or years of not using it?

If you have not worn your retainer in months or even years, do not even try to put it on! Refitting it into your mouth could do more harm than good. It is likely that your old retainer to become lodged, harm, or even damage your gums and teeth. Instead, bring your old retainer to your visit with an orthodontist.