You know that moment when something goes wrong, and you’re just like—whoops! This can (and often, does) happen when you have braces. But at Thacker Orthodontics, we’ve got your back, and we’re going to tell you what to do when braces break.
Parts Aplenty
We’ll start by going over the various parts of braces, simply because there’s more to them than you might realize. These various parts can incur different types and levels of damage:
- Brackets and Wires: These can be considered the main ingredients in the recipe of braces. Brackets are the little square bits affixed to your teeth, and wires run through the brackets to connect them. We adjust these wires to strategically tighten them, thus shifting your teeth.
- Other Components: Braces can also include extra components like rubber bands, which can narrow focused tooth movement to an area of concern. Other orthodontic appliances can be used in addition to braces to address issues with the bite or jaw.
Damage Gets Done
There are more hazards than you may think when it comes to your braces. Orthodontic appliances like braces are designed to be durable and functional, but they can still be quite vulnerable to damage in certain circumstances. Here are some common scenarios we see:
- Poor Choices in Food: Your diet can impact the state of your braces. For example, hard, sticky, and crunchy foods are often responsible for damage to wires and brackets. That’s part of why we stress being mindful about what you eat with your braces on.
- Grinding or Clenching Teeth: This condition is called bruxism, and is usually involuntary. It usually happens during sleep, and can place excess pressure on braces and lead to damage.
- Falls and Trauma: Incidents involving trauma to the mouth can result in significant damage to your braces and/or teeth.
- DIY Repairs: It can be tempting to look at existing damage and think you can handle it. We’d like to ask you not to do this! Attempts to repair without professional oversight can make damage go from bad to worse.
- Not Reporting Minor Issues: One of the worst things you can do is notice some slight damage—a loose bracket, a wire that feels a little off—and not tell us about it. Again, we want to nip these issues in the bud before they develop into something more serious.
- Sports Injuries: For teenagers in particular, significant damage to braces often happens in sporting accidents. Failing to wear an orthodontic mouthguard during contact sports like football, hockey, or basketball can result in potentially serious injuries.
Steps to Take When Your Braces Break
Depending on the extent of the damage, these situations can be a bit shocking or painful. Dr. Jim and Dr. MaryEvan want to start by advising you to stay as calm as you can, so that you can assess damage accurately.
If you are in a serious accident where teeth have been knocked loose or there is bleeding that won’t stop, please visit your nearest emergency department. For mild to moderate damage, consider the following steps:
- Take a Closer Look: Find a way to examine the damage that has occurred, using a mirror or a camera. You can get a better idea of what’s been affected.
- Dial Our Number: If it’s not a medical emergency, call our Thacker Orthodontics right away. Let us know the details of the situation so that we can determine next steps. We might opt to schedule an emergency appointment in the case of severe damage.
- Follow Temporary Measures: In many cases, we will provide you with instructions to hold you over until you see us. We might advise you to use orthodontic wax to secure a loose bracket or dull the end of a sharp wire.
- Keep Broken Pieces: If a bracket or other component has fully come off, store it in a clean container or bag so that we can reattach it during your appointment if possible.
- Seek Pain Relief: If you’re experiencing pain or soreness, consider rinsing your mouth with warm salt water or taking a dose of over-the-counter pain reliever as directed by our team.
- Avoid Further Damage: Do your best to stay away from problematic foods or activities that could cause additional damage. For example, if a student has a football game scheduled with pending damage to their braces, they might need to sit it out.
Finding Your Fix
Rest assured that our team at Thacker Orthodontics is prepared for just about anything! Having braces is a long-term commitment, which makes damage more likely to occur at some point. So try not to panic, be sure to communicate with us promptly, and follow our instructions should anything happen. Come see us soon in Cincinnati or Hillsboro!