Do your teeth ever hurt???

gidget1978

Cathlete
And Im not talking about sensitive teeth, Im talking about teeth that feel like they are shifting?
I had braces growing up as a kid and had to recently get a new retainer b/c my teeth had moved. The dentist told me that your teeth do shift so people who have had braces will always need to wear a retainer...unlike when I had my braces removed they told me I only had to wear it for a couple of yrs. So now I will wear a retainer to bed a couple of x's a week but maybe I should start doing it every night. Its just a pain b/c I remember after I have gotten in to bed and then I have to get up again! LOL
But I am at work now and my teeth are hurting!x( If I were home I think I would put my retainer in...no doubt thats what is happening, my teeth are moving. Thank goodness its just a small movement and nothing thats gonna make my teeth go haywire today! LOL

Lori:)
 
My dentist told me your teeth shift when you have a space. So when I have an extraction, she makes me get the implants ASAP and then get the crown on as soon after that as possible, or else the teeth will begin to shift. My understanding is that while all teeth can shift a bit, they are far more likely to do so when you have an empty space in your mouth. But maybe you're referring to a different kind of shifting?
 
Lorie it sounds to me like the retainer is causing some of your pain. I distinctly remember having braces and it was that small movement of either an adjustment to the braces or wearing the retainer after a time of leaving it out that caused that second day pain.

When you move your teeth a little - by putting in the retainer and sleeping with it it's holding your teeth in one position. When you remove the retainer your teeth will naturally wiggle around a little bit - there's just that little bit of play in the bones.

After a while it should subside but I would expect next day discomfort if you're only going to wear the retainer a couple of nights a week.
 
What you're experiencing is normal. Your teeth ARE shifting a little (even though it probably feels like a LOT) and after probably a week or so, you shouldn't have the pain.
 
I had some aching teeth. Turns out I was clenching and "flexing" the tooth. I try to be more conscious of not doing that while waiting in line, traffic, etc. Made a huge difference for me. I quit chewing on those baby carrots and hard almonds too, at least on the side that was bothering me.

I too wear a retainer 1 night a week and have since 1976. Still wearing the same retainer made in 1977. Wow, 30 years, where has the time gone?

Jeanette
 
I didn't get braces until I was an adult and I wear a retainer almost every night. After all, unlike when your a kid and your parents fork over the money, I had to pay for the experience and I don't want them going back to what they once were! Maybe you should keep your retainer at your bedside so it won't be so much of an inconvience should you forget to put it in at night. I do notice that when I put it in my mouth it's tight and my teeth hurt for a while. You're probably experiencing some shifting, which is normal, but if it continues you may want to mention it to your dentist at your next check up.
 

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