Dental retainers are custom-made devices worn after orthodontic treatment to prevent teeth from shifting back to their original positions. These devices hold the teeth firmly in their newly aligned places, allowing the surrounding bone and tissue to stabilize. Many new wearers experience anxiety regarding how this device will affect social activities, particularly kissing. Kissing is fully possible with a retainer, though it may require a brief period of adjustment and awareness from the wearer.
The Mechanics of Kissing With Removable Retainers
The physical presence of a removable retainer introduces a minor change in the oral environment, but this rarely presents a physical barrier to kissing. Clear plastic retainers, often called Essix retainers, are designed to fit the dental arch with a smooth, snug surface that covers the teeth completely. Because they are thin and contoured, they do not significantly protrude or obstruct the tongue’s natural movement or the contact between lips. During light or gentle kissing, the partner is highly unlikely to feel the retainer, as the lips and tongue move over the smooth plastic or acrylic surface. Deeper or more passionate kissing, however, can bring the retainer into contact with the partner’s tongue or teeth. The material is generally smooth enough that it does not pose a risk of injury, though the unusual feel may be noticeable to the partner.
How Retainer Type Affects the Experience
The experience of kissing changes depending on the specific design of the retainer being worn.
Removable Retainers
Clear Essix retainers, which resemble invisible aligner trays, are typically the easiest to kiss with. They are made of a thin, clear thermoplastic material that hugs the teeth, providing a seamless surface that causes minimal friction. Traditional Hawley retainers feature a metal wire that runs across the front of the teeth and an acrylic base that sits against the roof of the mouth or under the tongue. While the wire is smooth, its presence is more prominent than a clear tray, and the acrylic palate can also feel bulkier, which a partner might detect, especially with active tongue movement.
Fixed Retainers
Fixed or bonded retainers offer the most seamless experience because they are permanently cemented to the back surface of the teeth. These consist of a thin wire attached horizontally, often to the lower front six teeth, and are entirely internal. Since they are positioned on the lingual side of the teeth and polished smooth with dental adhesive, they are completely unnoticeable to a kissing partner.
Maintaining Safety and Hygiene
While kissing with a retainer is generally safe, measures should be taken to protect the device and maintain oral health. For intense kissing scenarios, especially with removable Hawley or Essix retainers, the safest practice is to temporarily take the device out. This prevents the risk of accidental damage, such as bending a Hawley wire or cracking the thin plastic of a clear retainer, which could compromise its function. If a removable retainer is taken out, it must be stored safely in its case to prevent loss or damage. It is also important to clean the retainer thoroughly before reinserting it, especially if it has been exposed to the air or placed on a non-sterile surface. Retainers should be brushed daily to remove plaque and bacteria. Maintaining good retainer hygiene is crucial to prevent the transfer of bacteria and minimize the risk of developing bad breath or plaque accumulation.