If your child has recently started wearing braces, you’re probably thrilled that they’ve begun their journey towards a straighter and healthier smile! However, if they’re complaining about their teeth feeling loose, you’ll probably want to assure them that their teeth aren’t going to fall out! Here’s why braces can sometimes cause teeth to feel loose as they work to straighten them and why you can rest assured those pearly whites aren’t going anywhere.
How Braces Work
Simply put, braces are an orthodontic appliance used to straighten teeth in both children and adults alike. They include metal brackets that are cemented to the front of teeth and wire that runs through those brackets, which creates tension and puts pressure on the teeth. This pressure gradually moves teeth from their original misaligned position into a corrected position.
Braces aren’t just used for aesthetic reasons—realigning teeth into a healthy position yields many positive oral health benefits including a proper bite, improved speech and an easier time cleaning your teeth. They also reduce the risk for TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders.
Why Braces Make Teeth Feel Loose
Your child’s teeth feel loose with braces because technically, they are loose! But loose teeth with braces aren’t the same as loose baby teeth, and they aren’t preparing to fall out. Teeth with braces remain securely attached to the periodontal ligament that’s connected to the jaw. The loose feeling results from the stretching and compressing of this ligament as it’s creating wider space for the teeth.
Over months of putting pressure on teeth, bone is constantly broken down and rebuilt to accommodate the movement until correct alignment is achieved. Fortunately, the teeth are still securely in place—meaning that once your child has finished their braces treatment, the feeling of looseness should disappear.
In short, braces must make your teeth at least a little loose in order to do their job, but this loose feeling isn’t typically anything to worry about and simply indicates the process is working.
About the Practice
Here at Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we’re thrilled to bring an exceptional level of care to families in the Nashua, NH area. Our practice is led by the awesome team of Dr. Mina Kalali and Dr. Sam Alkhoury. If you have any questions about the article or need to schedule a visit for you or a loved one, feel free to contact our practice online or over the phone for assistance: (603) 880-5002.