Every person wants to have an excellent dental structure. While some people are born with a perfect dental structure, others have to struggle with it. And the reasons are varied. For instance, some people lose out on an excellent dental structure, because of poor dental hygiene. Others have a problem with genetics and develop tooth…
There are many reasons why wires, bands, spacers, and brackets get damaged. – Broken Braces Damaged braces can cause pain, cuts, and abrasions in the mouth. This simple inconvenience can cause severe discomfort. If left untreated, it can make your treatment less efficient. If your braces break, you might need to do minor repairs, followed by a visit to your orthodontist. Don’t be worried. Here are different ways to protect your mouth from injuries when your braces break. How Braces Get Damaged Some reasons wires and brackets may break include: Consuming hard, crunchy or sticky foods Sustaining an injury to the mouth Using dental floss and toothpicks harshly Chewing objects or biting your nails Brushing your teeth aggressively Although it is vital to consult an orthodontist immediately if you suspect a problem, your braces may break while on vacation or during off-hours of the day. In these cases, you can take interim steps to minimize damage and avoid complications. Things You Can Do to Manage the Damage Assess the damage. First, assess the area around the broken appliance. It’s tempting to touch and move the device once you have identified the root problem. However, it is best to consult your orthodontist for further advice. Check for the following: Protruding or Loose Wires Broken or protruding metal can cause irritation or injury to other parts of your mouth. You can push the wire from the affected areas with a cotton bud or an eraser tip of a pencil. If you cannot move the wire safely, wrap it in orthodontic wax. Schedule an appointment with your orthodontist as soon as possible. Loose Separators or Spacers Separators are rubber rings that you can see between your teeth. They create a space between your teeth so the bands can slide on easily. They are typically only required for a few days. You should see your orthodontist immediately if the spacers become very loose or fall out. This may indicate you can move on to the next stage of your treatment. Loose Brackets Brackets are ceramic or metal pieces attached to each tooth with a composite resin. However, this resin can weaken or break if you eat hard or sticky food, resulting in a loose bracket that pokes into your cheeks, gums, tongue, or lips. …
