Broke Your Braces? Here’s How to Handle the Situation

Traditional braces are made of durable materials. They are designed to stay functional through all the rigors of normal activities. However, they are not invincible. Due to an accident or injury, they can become damaged. What should you do if you end up breaking your braces? Do not panic. This blog post provides practical tips to help you handle the situation and get your treatment back on track ASAP.

Assess the Situation and Call Your Dentist

When you notice that something is wrong with your braces, you should first strive to evaluate the problem. Did one of your brackets come loose? Do you have a protruding wire? Do you have a band or spacer that has become loose? Once you know what the problem is, call your dentist or orthodontist and let them know about the situation. They can provide guidance over the phone and book an emergency appointment for you.

Minimize Discomfort and Damage

If one of your brackets fell off, do not try to glue it back onto your tooth. You might end up causing further damage! Place the bracket in a small container and bring it with you to your orthodontic appointment. If the bracket is still attached to your arch wire, you can use a bit of orthodontic wax to hold it on your tooth.

If you have a protruding wire, try to push it against your tooth with a pencil eraser or cotton swab. If it refuses to stay in place, put some orthodontic wax on it so it will cause less irritation.

If you have a loose space or band, do not try to fix the problem yourself. Instead, just be extra gentle when you are eating and wait on your dentist or orthodontist to address the situation.

If your broken braces are causing irritation or you have a sore in your mouth, rinse regularly with warm salt water. You can also take over-the-counter pain medications if necessary.

Prevent Future Incidents

Mishaps can occur with braces, but you can minimize the risk that you will face future problems by taking some precautions:

• Do not eat any foods that are not considered safe for braces. For example, you should avoid hard, crunchy, and chewy items.
• Wear a mouthguard when you play sports. Some mouthguards are designed specifically for use with braces.
• Keep up with oral hygiene. This can prevent plaque and bacteria from accumulating on and around your braces.

Broken braces are a bummer! Use the above tips to get the situation under control.

Meet the Practice

Dr. Danette McNew of McNew Dental is an experienced dentist who has completed orthodontic training through the International Association of Orthodontics. She is proud to provide traditional braces, Invisalign clear aligners, and a range of other services. If you have questions about braces or are thinking about straightening your teeth, contact our Rockwall practice at 972-666-5439.