Patients or parents often come to the doctor and ask questions such as: “Doctor, will my teeth loosen after orthodontic treatment? Will orthodontic teeth fall out more easily as we get older? Will I be unable to chew and eat hard things after orthodontic treatment?” etc. These questions and confusion is normal, because all friends love beauty both hope to have a pair of neat and beautiful teeth, but also worried that orthodontics will bring some adverse consequences. So, can orthodontics really loosen teeth and make them fall out prematurely? To answer this question, it is necessary to first understand some knowledge of tooth structure. The human tooth is divided into two major parts: the exposed in the mouth is called the crown (i.e., the tooth that can be seen in the mouth), and the long in the tooth bed is called the root. The roots of a normal tooth are completely buried in the alveolar bone and are therefore very strong. But the tooth is not like a nail on a board that cannot be moved at all. In fact, the tooth is “suspended” in the alveolar bone, and this suspension system is the periodontium. The flexibility and toughness of the periodontium allows the teeth to function with a certain degree of movement to avoid injury. This phenomenon is called the physiological mobility of the tooth. When the alveolar bone around the roots of the teeth gradually resorbs for some reason (e.g., long-term periodontal disease), the teeth begin to loosen. This loosening is pathological. The more the alveolar bone is absorbed, the more the teeth loosen; when the alveolar bone is completely absorbed, the teeth will fall out. Therefore, the main reason for the gradual loosening and loss of teeth in old age is caused by periodontal disease. In other words, there is no relationship between loose teeth and orthodontics when people grow old. In fact, orthodontic treatment not only gives you a mouthful of neat and beautiful teeth, but also makes your periodontal tissues healthier, which can prevent your teeth from loosening when you grow old. During the orthodontic process, the periodontium, alveolar bone and other structures will also undergo corresponding alterations. Some patients may experience mild loosening of teeth, soreness and discomfort, and weakness in chewing, which are all normal reactions to the treatment process and are not a cause for concern. After the orthodontic treatment is completed, these phenomena will disappear and the teeth will return to their normal state. Therefore, please put your worries aside and feel free to seek treatment, we will be eager to serve you.