Posted on March 15, 2024
Braces are an effective way to treat orthodontic problems. However, issues can arise during your braces treatment. One of the most common problems is having a bracket come loose or break. If this happens, there are a few things you need to do. Keep reading to learn more.
First, let’s look at some common reasons why brackets break. One of the main causes of brackets breaking is if the patient is eating foods that they shouldn’t. These include hard foods such as nuts, popcorn, gum, bagels, pita chips, and potato chips. Patients should also avoid chewing on ice.
A bracket can also break or come loose if the patient bites down hard on the lower braces. A mouth injury could also break a bracket, as well as bad habits such as fingernail biting or chewing on hard things. Regardless of the cause, let’s look at a few things you should do if one of your brackets comes off.
The first thing you should do is schedule an orthodontic appointment ASAP. Your orthodontist needs to know if a bracket has come loose or broken. They will need to see you in order to repair the damage and get your braces treatment back on track.
To protect the soft tissue of the inside of your mouth, you’ll need to cover the broken piece with a lot of wax. The wax will keep the metal from puncturing your mouth. If your mouth is punctured by the broken bracket or wire, infection could result.
If the wire looks to also be broken, you might want to attempt to fix this by bending it back into place. This can help to protect your mouth from injuries. You might want to try a cotton swab or even a pencil eraser to guide the wire where it belongs.
Periodically rinse your mouth with warm salt water. This will help to prevent infection from developing in your mouth. If the break causes small ulcers, these can be uncomfortable, but rinsing will help.
According to Humana, adults typically wear braces for three or four years, and children usually wear them for two years. If you currently have braces, be sure to follow the above steps if a bracket is broken or comes loose. If you have any other questions about braces treatment, don’t hesitate to contact Chelian Orthodontics today.
29 Riverside Street,Nashua, NH 03062603-882-6100
142 Brimbal Avenue, Ste 3,Beverly, MA 01915978-774-8266
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