What Is A Loose Bracket On Braces?
Brace brackets are small metal or ceramic attachments that secure the archwire to each tooth. As your treatment progresses, the wire and brackets apply pressure to align the teeth. However, if you’re not careful, these brackets can become loose or detach from the teeth.
Broken Bracket Vs. Loose Bracket
While a loose bracket comes off the surface of the tooth, the part itself is still intact. They’re also referred to as floating brackets because they can slide along the archwire after detaching from the tooth. A broken bracket happens when the orthodontic attachment cracks and comes off the archwire.
What Causes A Loose Bracket?
There are many reasons why a bracket may become loose, including:
- Hard or crunchy foods
- Sticky or chewy foods
- Trauma to the mouth from an accident
- A blow to the mouth during high-impact sports
- Normal wear and tear
What Are The Symptoms Of A Loose Bracket?
If you’re unsure if your bracket is loose, some signs that you may have broken braces include:
- The bracket is detached from your tooth
- The bracket moves along the archwire on its own
- You have irritation to the cheeks, gums, or lips
- Your braces suddenly feel different or “off”
