Braces are a wonderful thing but, as many of us are aware, life happens, which means that accidents happen. When such an event occurs,
It’s good to know what to do to preserve your oral health as best as you can until you can see your orthodontist.
What do I do if a
bracket comes off?
Traditional metal braces are composed of brackets, arch wires, and sometimes tiny elastic bands. The brackets are the distinctive little squares that are fastened to your teeth with glue. Multiple factors can cause the glue to wear off or weaken, like getting hit in the face during a sports game, eating foods that are too crunchy, or, perhaps, there just wasn’t enough glue applied the first time around.
If your bracket comes off, take it out of your mouth immediately so you don’t accidentally swallow it. Keep it in a safe place. Try not to move your mouth a lot. Visit your orthodontist when you can so they can reattach your bracket.
What do I do if a wire breaks?
Broken wires can cause a lot more irritation and can slice up your gums and cheeks. If it’s available, wrap orthodontic wax around your wire; this will keep it from scratching you. In more dire situations, you may need to cut the wire to prevent bleeding. Use a small clean set of nail clippers to do so.
Then, get in touch with your orthodontist.
What do I do if my mouth is sore?
Having a sore mouth is a common symptom of receiving both traditional and alternative braces. The pressure that’s exerted on your teeth, which encourages bone movement, will leave your mouth feeling stiff and sore. You’ll most likely experience this when you first receive your braces and each time you come in to have them adjusted.
Your dentist will typically prescribe Tylenol or Advil to help you manage the pain. Consuming soft foods like ice cream, yogurt, and soup will help too. Cut your meals into small pieces that don’t require much chewing.
If the pain remains after multiple days, give us a call!.
Need to contact
your orthodontist?
