How to Handle Broken Braces
Broken braces can be worrisome or intimidating depending on the extent of discomfort and pain they cause. Braces bother people to different degrees and they learn to deal with it to make their teeth better aligned and for the sake of improved dental health. When something breaks and is damaged in this intrusive oral gear, the patient has to figure out the source of the trouble and take appropriate action to make sure that the braces continue to be effective at what they are intended to achieve.
The critical first step is to call and schedule an appointment with your orthodontist. While this may take a couple of days, depending on the nature of the problem, this is a step that has to happen sooner rather than later. An orthodontist will be able to assess the exact extend of damage and take the right corrective action.
It is important to educate yourself about the likely sources of trouble when it comes to broken braces. This will help you know what has gone wrong and will help you report accurately to your dentist or orthodontist.
Most often, braces are damaged by the person eating hard or sticky food. Hard candy and caramel are classified as foods to be avoided for this very reason. Biting or chewing on something with a tough exterior and chewy texture can put a lot of stress on the braces. Parts can become loose or even break in the process.
The metal or ceramic pieces that are aligned and attached to each tooth are called brackets or braces. These are generally made of something called composite resin and this substance can come loose when the patient chews something very hard. If a bracket comes loose, you may first sense it when it runs against the inner cheek, gums or tongue. The friction will cause soreness and even pain. In this case, you can use the orthodontist special wax that is given to you at the early stages of your getting your braces. This wax is intended to provide a barrier between such loose pieces and the parts of the mouth. This wax can be helpful in being a stop-gap before the doctor can take a look and fix the actual piece.
The other piece of braces that can become loose is the band or metal ring that adheres mostly to the back of the teeth although it sometimes is seen in front also. This again is not something a patient can push back into place and you will need professional help in fitting it back. The best idea is to save the band when it comes loose and to take it to the doctor at the given time.
The wire holding the braces together can sometimes snap or it can break. Such a broken wire can poke any part of the interior of the mouth such as the tongue, gums or cheeks. You can use some cushioned surface to try and work the wire into place – this is to make sure that the wire does not poke your hand while you are trying to manipulate it. It is not a good idea to cut the wire because there is the risk of the wire being swallowed on inhaled accidentally and that can be very dangerous. So, the orthodontist wax may be the easiest again to stop the wire from causing any damage. By affixing the wax to the tip of the broken wire, you can prevent any damage prior to visiting the dental office.
Most parts of broken braces can be fixed. If you are able to describe the problem and visit the orthodontist promptly, you should be able to get the broken piece fixed and aligned during that visit. It is best to make allowance for the extra time needed to take care of this during that visit.