You’re going along about your business, enjoying lunch with friends when you suddenly find yourself dealing with broken braces. This can often cause many patients to panic; however, although it might seem unnerving, there are ways to address the issue immediately to avoid further damage to your smile. Keep reading to find out what you can do at home (or at school) to minimize the issue while waiting to see your orthodontist for additional help.
What Can Cause Your Braces to Break?
Traditional metal braces are known to be sturdy and reliable; however, they’re not completely indestructible. This means that certain things can happen that may result in damage to your metal brackets and wires.
For example, if you eat anything that is extremely hard, crunchy, chewy, or sticky, there is a chance your braces could suffer detachment or breakage. Whether it is pulling your brackets off of your teeth or breaking a wire that begins to poke and rub against your soft oral tissues, it’s important that you seek professional help as soon as you can.
What Can You Do at Home to Fix the Problem?
While waiting to see your orthodontist, there are a few things you can do at home to minimize symptoms and keep your smile safe from any further damage. These include:
- Using orthodontic wax to cover any poking or protruding wires or brackets that may irritate your gums, lips, cheeks, or tongue.
- Rinsing with warm salt water to reduce the chances of infection and swelling.
- Bringing broken/damaged appliances to your appointment so that your orthodontist can examine them.
- Avoiding trying to fix your braces at home by yourself.
- Inserting your most recent clear aligners (if you’re wearing Invisalign or another similar clear aligner system).
What Can Your Dentist Do to Fix the Issue?
Once you arrive at your orthodontist’s office, they will need to evaluate the situation to determine how best to address the problem. If it is something that can be fixed easily, such as a detached bracket, it can be rebounded quickly.
If a wire is loose or protruding, a new wire may be put into place to replace it. If more significant injuries occur, resulting in damage to your teeth and gums, a more extensive treatment plan may be required to try and save the tooth or teeth, allow for appropriate soft tissue healing, and attempt to replace or repair any broken brackets or wires.
Don’t let broken braces cause you to panic. Remember that there are things you can do at home to keep your smile in check while waiting to see your orthodontist for more adequate and effective care.About the Author
Dr. Tamara Jones is a trusted orthodontist in Richardson. Attending Baylor College of Dentistry – Texas A&M Health Science Center, she earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery. She then went on to pursue orthodontics as her specialty at The University of Texas at Houston, earning her master’s degree and certificate in orthodontics. Helping patients of all ages achieve healthier, straighter smiles, she and her team at Richardson Orthodontics are devoted to providing effective tips should an orthodontic emergency occur. Contact us via the website or call (972) 238-7101 to schedule a free consultation and learn what you need to do to take better care of your braces.