Having working orthodontic equipment is essential to successful treatment, but sometimes accidents happen, and your braces may become damaged. If you have a loose or missing bracket, here’s what you should do next, and why timely repairs are so important to your treatment!
Broken Brackets
Braces brackets are cemented to your teeth when you first get them and are meant to stay in the same position for the duration of your treatment. They are designed to hold the wires that pull your teeth into alignment in place and thus do not need to move. Unfortunately, however, sometimes they can come off, especially if you’re eating something too crunchy or hard.
Should one of your brackets come loose or fall off, your first step should be to call your orthodontist. In most cases you should be able to wait a day or two to be seen, however getting your bracket reattached is very important, as your teeth cannot move properly without it.
In the meantime, make sure you keep your mouth and braces clean, and be gentle around the loose bracket when you brush and floss. Furthermore, be careful with what you eat, as your braces are more vulnerable to damage if they are not completely attached.
Finally, it is important to never attempt to glue your bracket back on by yourself. If it is causing any discomfort, you can hold it in place with a small piece of dental wax around the edges, but do not pull on it to get underneath.
Avoiding Broken Brackets
There are many reasons why your bracket may come off, such as an injury to the mouth or something you ate. If you play sports, speak to your orthodontist about ways to protect your smile while you wear braces. Furthermore, be sure to avoid foods such as:
- Anything hard or crunchy foods such as pretzels, crackers, chips, and crusty breads
- Chewy foods like caramels, gummies, taffy, and chewing gum
- Crunchy raw fruits and veggies
If you get food caught in your braces, be extremely careful trying to remove it. Be sure to only use a soft-bristled toothbrush, dental floss, or a small braces brush. Never use toothpicks or any other sharp implement to dislodge food or debris from your mouth.
You can also try a water flosser or mouthwash to help loosen it.
Remember, accidentally breaking a braces bracket is bound to happen, but when it does, you need to act swiftly to have it repaired if you want your new smile to stay on schedule, so contact your orthodontist as soon as possible.
About Our Practice
At Wigal Orthodontics, we’re proud to have two skilled and caring orthodontists here to make you smile! Dr. Wigal and Dr. Kluemper understand that wearing braces can pose its own unique set of challenges, including navigating what and how to eat with wires and brackets.
If you have accidentally damaged your braces, don’t be embarrassed, or wait to come in. Give us a call today at 614-324-4435 and we’ll get your bracket reattached, so your treatment won’t miss a beat!