There are many reasons why wires, bands, spacers, and brackets get damaged.
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.
Use orthodontic wax to protect your cheeks and gums. They are safe to consume, non-toxic if accidentally swallowed, and easily found in any supermarket or drugstore.
Wobbly Bands
Bands are metal rings and circles cemented to the back of your teeth. Do not chew the band if it becomes loose; keep the band if it becomes loose. Bring it along to your next dental appointment.
- Don’t use super glue or any other adhesives.
It is tempting to fix broken braces yourself with superglue or any adhesive, but these are not intended to be used in your mouth and can cause serious health problems if swallowed.
- Prevent infection by rinsing your mouth with salt water.
Warm salt water rinses help relieve irritation, pain, swelling, and healing sores and cuts caused by broken brackets or wires.
It is easy to make a saltwater rinse. Add 1/2 teaspoon of regular salt to 1 cup of warm water. You can use this mixture as a mouthwash. To prevent infections, rinse the mouth several times daily.
- Book an appointment with your dentist.
Broken braces, floating brackets, or loose wire can cause your teeth to return to their original position faster than you might think. If there isn’t any discomfort or the problem is not interfering with treatment, your dentist may decide to wait until your next appointment to fix your braces.
Your orthodontist will inspect your braces and repair or replace any broken wires. If you do experience discomfort, you should call the office right away. They will inform you if you have to make an appointment sooner.
 How to Take Care of Your BracesÂ
Learning how to care for your braces can help prevent them from breaking. The best thing to do is choose the right toothbrush. When choosing a toothbrush, soft bristles are best.
Avoid toothbrushes with hard bristles, as these can cause bleeding gums and bracket breakage. You must also remember to avoid certain foods when you have braces: avoid foods that are sticky, crunchy, chewy, and hard.
  Key Takeaway
Sometimes, braces just break, especially if you don’t care for them. When they do, assess the damage and book an appointment at a Durango dentistry clinic as soon as possible. Avoid using superglue and other adhesives, and prevent infection by rinsing your mouth with saltwater.
One of the easiest ways to prevent braces from breaking and hurting you is to avoid foods that can damage your braces and avoid using toothbrushes with stiff bristles. Always follow your orthodontist’s advice to avoid getting your orthodontic treatment interrupted.
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