Braces are a big deal. They signify a commitment to a perfect smile. Some may wear braces for six months, others for three years but the end result is almost always the same. A perfect smile that you can be proud of. After braces, your dentist will give you a retainer to wear. This retainer is crucial to keeping your teeth in place. If not worn or lost, your teeth can begin to shift back to their natural position. How fast do teeth shift after braces? It depends on a few factors, but let’s look into why and how teeth shift after braces.
Having a straight smile without any orthodontic work done is a rarity and it’s based on genetics and luck. Some are born with a near-perfect smile while others need to have orthodontic work done to create that smile. Once that work is done, there’s another step that comes in keeping that smile perfect and that’s wearing a retainer. A retainer is a device that will fit snuggly over your teeth at night. The more you wear it the better, and it’s recommended that you wear a retainer every night. The routine of wearing one tricks your teeth into thinking the position in which they are in is “home”.
How fast do teeth shift after braces? Fast. If you lose your retainer or just stop wearing it, your teeth can begin to shift back to their natural position in as little as two weeks. It could be just one tooth shifting that creates a gap, or it could be a few teeth that cause numerous issues. Teeth have the ability to shift back to their natural position using their elastic memory. This elastic memory means they will always be trying to shift back to their natural spot in your mouth no matter how much time has passed after braces. It could be three weeks since you’ve had braces, three years, or three decades. Your teeth will want to shift back after braces.
The best way to prevent teeth shifting is to wear a retainer every night. You’ll want to replace this retainer once every year or so because retainers can become worn. When they become loose, they lose their effectiveness to prevent teeth from shifting. Retainers can also become a breeding ground for bacteria if not kept clean. If you notice yellow or white spots on your retainer, it’s time to replace it.
SportingSmiles offers replacement retainers for half the cost of the dentist. The premium retainers are the number one defense against teeth shifting and with a retainer, you’ll never have to worry about how fast do teeth shift after braces because they won’t! When you order with SportingSmiles you’ll receive a patented impression kit where you’ll take impressions, send them back to the SportingSmiles lab, and then our team will craft your retainers. There’s no need for insurance, no signup cost, or subscription service.
How fast do teeth shift after braces? They can shift in as little as two weeks. How fast do teeth shift after braces with a retainer? They don’t! Get a retainer, and keep a backup on hand so you can keep your perfect smile without worrying about your teeth shifting.
