What should you do when dealing with broken braces?

Braces are used by orthodontists all throughout the world, and if you’re one of the 200,000 in the UK receiving Orthodontic treatment on an annual basis, then you know the plethora of benefits these dental devices bring in correcting crooked or misaligned teeth for a straighter smile. However, like anything else in life, there is always something that can go wrong. Some of the most common problems that patients experience with braces are loose brackets and broken wires. This article will explain what causes broken braces and why they happen so often, including some tips on dealing with broken braces.

How do braces break?

First of all, metal wires and brackets are both strong, yet relatively thin and fragile in order to be adjustable. In addition, the adhesive glue used to attach the brackets to your teeth needs to be weak enough to be safely removed after the treatment is completed. This makes it possible for them to become damaged or broken which can happen for a number of reasons.

One is by being accidentally hit while playing sports or suffering from a mouth injury. The wire can also snap due to pressure put on the braces from biting down too hard when chewing or eating. Another way is through being adjusted too tightly – if the wire is too tense, it will break.

Risks of broken braces

 When the metal wires or brackets that help straighten teeth break, it can cause a fair bit of pain and discomfort. In some cases, the wire may even snag on the gums or cheek, leading to mouth sores, cuts and the possible risk of infection.

What should you do if your braces have suddenly broken?

 Step 1: Book an appointment

Your braces need to be repaired immediately if they are seriously broken or causing oral pain, including swelling and bleeding. If you are unable to get an immediate appointment with your normal dentist, you may need to call your nearest emergency orthodontist. Search online for, as an example, an emergency orthodontist in London and they will aim to make an appointment as soon as possible and/or provide guidance.

You may need to take action in the interim to deal with your broken braces to avoid the wire or moving bracket causing damage to your mouth in which case, take the following steps:

Step 2: Assess the damage

If the bracket appears to be floating on the wire, this can cause it to slide into a position where it starts rubbing on the gum. Therefore, place a piece of the orthodontic wax over the bracket to relieve any discomfort. If you don’t have any wax, a piece of sugar-free gum should do the trick.

Any loose pieces you find should be brought to your appointment to make it easier for your orthodontist to re-secure them in place.

Step 3: Check the wire

If any wires are protruding out, use a pair of sterilised nail clippers or small pliers to clip them off before they can cause any further injury to your mouth, teeth and gums but only as a last resort.

If you’re not comfortable cutting wires, then you can always bend and push it back in gently with a cotton swab, before using orthodontic wax or sugar-free gum again to cover the pointed end.

Step 4: Eating right

If you’re waiting for your next appointment, one of the important things you need to consider when dealing with broken braces is important to eat soft foods like soup and yoghurt, alongside drinking plenty of fluids after broken braces because you won’t be able to fully close your mouth or chew anything for a while.

Step 5: Don’t panic

Try to relax and give yourself some time to heal. Broken braces can be a pain, but they will eventually be fixed and you will be able to smile with confidence again.

We hope this article has been useful and you now have a better idea of what you can do if your braces have broken.  If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact your orthodontist for more information and help.

Thank you for reading!