Braces are made to be durable. The brackets and wires must stand up to everything you eat, drink, or do for an average of 12-24 months. Chances are, your braces treatment will go smoothly. But what happens if there is a braces emergency?
Poking wires, loose brackets, missing elastics — these things can happen. You can fix some emergencies at home, while others may require visiting your orthodontist. Smith & Davis Orthodontics is here for you no matter what the braces emergency. We have a few tips to help you if something goes awry.
How to Stop Braces Wire From Poking Cheek
One of the most common braces emergencies we hear about is a braces wire poking the cheek. This could be caused by a broken braces wire or because your teeth have moved and your braces wire came out of the back bracket.
The easiest way to deal with a poking wire is to cover it in dental wax. Take a pea-size piece of braces wax, roll it between your thumb and finger, and press it around the wire. Ensure you take the wax out whenever you get ready to eat, then replace it after eating and brushing your teeth.
How do you stop a wire from poking without wax? You probably don’t have a braces wire cutter, but we can tell you how to cut the wire on braces safely if it’s poking out the back. Use a set of clean nail clippers to clip off the end of the wire. If necessary, cover the new end with braces wax.
You may be able to move the poking wire so it’s no longer poking your cheek. Use a pencil eraser to bend the braces wire out of the way. Be careful as you push so you don’t apply too much pressure to the bracket and loosen it.
Call us and let us know if you have a wire that’s poking you. We will take care of it at your next visit. If these methods help, we shouldn’t need to bring you in for an emergency appointment. Let us know if the wire is still causing problems, and we will take care of it.
Braces Wire Bent
What do you do if you notice your braces wire is bent? Sometimes, it may be that way on purpose, such as pulling a tooth down that erupted too high or too low in your gums. In those cases, the wire is fine and should be left alone.
If you notice the wire is bent and shouldn’t be, use orthodontic wax to cover it if it pokes you. Otherwise, as long as you don’t have broken brackets along with the bent wire, it should be fine until your next visit with us. Let us know about the bent wire, and we’ll fix it!
Broken Braces Wire
What happens if you break a braces wire? A broken braces wire may not necessarily poke you, but it could slow down your treatment. How can you break a braces wire? Usually, it happens by eating something you shouldn’t, such as something crunchy or hard. It could also happen as a result of an injury.
Once again, use dental wax to cover the end of the wire so it doesn’t poke you. If the broken wire also includes a loose bracket, we may need to bring you in to fix your braces. Give us a call and let us know about the damage.
Broken or Loose Bracket
Eating the wrong foods can also loosen or break off a braces bracket. The bonding agent for our braces brackets is very strong, but it is possible that it doesn’t set right, which can also cause the bracket to pop off. An injury to your mouth, such as getting hit in the face by a ball during sports, can also damage your braces brackets.
Usually, the bracket will stay attached to the archwire. If that’s the case, cover it with dental wax and call us so we can bring you in for a repair. If the bracket comes off completely, bring it in if you can.
If you happen to swallow the bracket, don’t panic! Our braces brackets are non-toxic and shouldn’t cause a problem if swallowed. The bracket should pass through your system within 24 hours.
On very rare occasions, a patient inhales the bracket instead of swallowing it. If you think that has happened, go to the emergency room. They will track down the bracket and give you options for removing it. Again, this is a very rare occurrence. Most of the time, the bracket stays in place, or the patient can remove it from their mouth.
Molar Band Digging Into Gums
We use bands on the back molars to hold the archwire in place. These bands should rest above your gum line. If the bands are digging into your gums, it could be that your gums are swollen. This could be from lack of proper brushing and flossing, injury, or damage from eating or drinking something too hot. Your gums also may well the first few days of your braces as your teeth begin to move.
Try treating your gums to see if any swelling goes down. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water and brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Call us if your gums do not appear to be swollen or if the band is still digging into them several days later. We may need to adjust the band to move it away from your gums.
Caring for Your Braces
The best way to avoid braces emergencies is to care for your braces properly. Here are some tips to ensure your braces stay intact throughout orthodontic treatment.
- Avoid the “no-no” foods. Don’t eat hard, crunchy, or chewy foods because they can loosen or break off brackets or wires. We have a list of foods you can eat and what you shouldn’t.
- Wear a mouthguard during sports. Braces can get damaged from sports injuries, so we recommend you wear a mouthguard with any sport involving swinging or flying objects, from baseball and soccer to tennis or lacrosse.
- Brush and floss daily. Make sure you keep up good oral hygiene to keep your gums from swelling. You may also be able to spot any problems with your braces after a good cleaning. Brush at least twice a day for at least two minutes, and remember to floss daily!
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Hard bristles can damage your braces. We recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush. We also recommend you use gentle pressure to brush your teeth.
- Keep your regular appointments. When you visit Smith & Davis Orthodontics, part of what we do is to check your braces and fix any problems or potential problems, such as broken or bent wires, loose or broken brackets, or parts that may be rubbing your cheeks, teeth, or gums. Make sure you keep your scheduled appointments!
Braces Emergencies in Rogers, AR
We can take care of of any braces emergencies in Rogers, AR, that you might have. Schedule an appointment with Smith & Davis Orthodontics, and let us take care of your braces emergencies!
