“My teeth feel loose with braces.”

Whether you’re a braces wearer of the past or present, you’ve likely thought those words—if not uttered them out loud. However far-fetched it seems, loose or moving teeth are absolutely normal for those in braces, and often the entire point of having them in the first place.

Braces are applied to keep shifting teeth in place, straighten out a crooked smile, or correct bite issues.

So what do you do when your teeth feel loose from braces? Don’t fear—the process is working.

Your orthodontist targets specific teeth to apply force via the brackets and arch wires. This process essentially loosens your periodontal ligament so your chompers can be adjusted to their proper location. Once the tooth or teeth begin(s) to reposition in your jawbone, it’s typical to feel that floating sensation.

Thankfully the feeling goes away after your braces are removed. The jawbone adjusts to the new position of your teeth and then reabsorbs and solidifies it in place, thus relieving the loose-tooth sensation.

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