How to Address a Broken Bracket

The brackets and wires that make traditional braces are durable but can become damaged if you aren’t careful. If this situation happens to you, you should take all the necessary steps to have the issue addressed as seen as possible. You don’t want to backtrack your orthodontic treatment. Continue reading to learn about the steps you should take to if you find yourself in this situation.

Be Careful While Eating

You should avoid eating foods that are particularly hard or sticky until you can get your bracket fixed. These items could worsen the damage to orthodontic appliances, pulling them off the teeth and resulting in additional irritation. Until you can have the issue addressed, stick to soft foods that are easy to chew.

Use Orthodontic Wax

Orthodontic wax can be purchased at pretty much any drugstore or supermarket in the dental hygiene section. Orthodontic wax can be placed on the parts of your braces that are poking uncomfortably against your skin, gums, and lips. It is perfectly safe to use and completely harmless if it is accidentally swallowed. This way, you can avoid sores, infections, and lacerations.

Use a Saltwater Rinse

Warm saltwater rinses are great for patients who have been experiencing pain, inflammation, or irritation of the mouth. They can help to reduce swelling and heal cuts and sores inside the mouth. Add half a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water and mix them together. Swish it around your mouth for about a minute.

Gather Broken Materials

If parts of your braces have broken off, bring them with you to your appointment. Sometimes, these materials can be cleaned and reused. This can help to save you both time and money.

Don’t Attempt to Fix Your Braces

It might be tempting to try to save a visit to the dental office by fixing your braces at home, but this isn’t a good idea. Household adhesive and superglue aren’t meant to be used in the mouth, so you could end up damaging your braces and teeth even more. Instead, schedule an emergency appointment with your orthodontist. This way, they can plan to see you as soon as possible to address the issue.

Broken braces are a huge frustration, but by following the steps listed above, your orthodontic treatment will be back on track in just a matter of time!

About the Practice

At Arlington Heights Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry, we have a team of skilled orthodontists serving patients in the Arlington Heights community. If you have concerns regarding your braces, we would be happy to take a look. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (847) 255-3020.