If your dental braces wire broke, it is unpleasant, but not a cause for serious concern, because it can be fixed. However, it is still better to try dealing with the problem as soon as possible. Broken wires can cause cuts and discomfort in the mouth and impede the braces treatment process. In this article we will talk about what to do about a broken braces wire.
Why Can a Braces Wire Break?
The most common reasons for broken or bent wires include:
- Hard, crunchy, or sticky foods are not recommended for eating while wearing braces. Try to opt for foods that do not require biting down or chewing hard to avoid breaking your brace wires.
- Physical damage or impact to the face (for example, when playing sports). We recommend wearing a mouthguard, especially when playing contact sports. Also, make sure that your mouthguard is right for your teeth and fits properly, giving the necessary protection.
- Using a toothpick for cleaning your teeth can easily bend or break the wires of your braces. Use a floss or a waterpik instead or sign up for a professional cleaning if you can not reach all the spots in your mouth by yourself. Remember, that thorough oral hygiene is essential for effective treatment and the overall health of your teeth. Also, food particles and plaque collected between the teeth can impede their movement into a correct position.
The Most Common Types of Damages in Braces
Most commonly, patients with braces can have these types of issues:
- Broken arch wire, whose sharp edges can cut cheeks, gums, and lips
- Wire protruding from the last bracket and is also damaging the surrounding tissue in the mouth
- A bracket got loose (separated from the tooth), but it is still on the wire
- A wire got bent
What to Do About a Broken Braces Wire
Regardless of the nature of the damage and why it has occurred, the first step is to make an appointment with a dentist with same-day appointments to have the issue fixed by a professional. However, there are some steps you can take while you wait to be admitted to the dental office.
You Have a Broken or Protruding Braces Wire
Protect your mouth if you have a broken or protruding braces wire. The first step is to move a broken wire into a more comfortable position to minimize the friction and damage it can cause. You can use sterilized tweezers for this purpose. Sterilized nail clippers can help with trimming a sharp wire. Be very careful not to swallow the little piece of the wire that is being trimmed. You can assist yourself with a clean tissue. Also, apply dental wax to cover the sharp edges of the fire.
The next step is to make sure that no infection occurs in the damaged mouth. Rinse your mouth with salt water to kill the bacteria. You can also use special dental solutions for healing sores in the mouth. Avoid spicy foods that can further irritate the sores. Also, switch to a soft toothbrush until your mouth is healed.
A Braces Bracket Came Off
Bracket is the part of braces that is attached to each tooth. Special dental adhesive is used for keeping it in place. However, it can sometimes come off the tooth, while still being attached to the wire. It can move and rotate on the wire, causing irritation inside the mouth. You can try using sterilized tweezers to rote it and move it back into a correct position. You can also cover it with dental wax if it continues to rub.
Your Braces Wire Got Bent
The good thing is that a bent wire is likely not going to damage your mouth, but if left unfixed, it will seriously compromise the treatment and make it much less effective. The best thing to do if a wire got bent or loose is to visit your dentist as soon as possible.
Remember that no matter what the issue is, damaged braces do not effectively apply the necessary pressure on your teeth to pull them into a correct and desired position. That is why you should never postpone a visit to your orthodontist, even if you managed to temporarily fix the problem yourself.
Make an Appointment Today
At Innovative Smiles LB we have dental specialists with the same-day appointments, who can help you fix your broken braces. Also, do not hesitate to call our office if you are just considering getting braces and need a consultation. We are looking forward to welcoming you to our office.
