Whether it was an accident while playing sports or an errant bite of food, something is definitely wrong with your braces, and you need to know what to do next. Thankfully, there is no reason to panic, as there is plenty you can do at home on your own. Plus, your orthodontist will be more than happy to help and see you as soon as possible. Here’s your step-by-step guide for dealing with damaged braces.
Take a Closer Look
Which part of your braces has been affected—the wire, bracket, or elastics?
If you’ve just lost an elastic (or three), this shouldn’t be a big cause for concern. Your archwire will still likely stay in place, so you can schedule to see your orthodontist at your earliest convenience (as within the next week).
Is a bracket missing? Try to find it! Your orthodontist may be able to place it back onto your tooth after cleaning it. This is a little more urgent than a dislodged elastic, but you can still wait to see your orthodontist a little bit so it doesn’t completely throw off your schedule.
When the wire has broken and become bent, this is when you should stop whatever you’re doing and contact your orthodontist right away. The situation isn’t life-threatening, but the wire is largely responsible for placing the pressure on your teeth that causes them to shift. If it’s out of position, then your treatment isn’t really working, and delaying seeing your orthodontist can throw off your timeline.
Wax is Your Friend
Everyone with braces should always have plenty of wax at the ready, whether they are at home or out and about. In the case of an accident, it’s common for a wire to end up poking into the lips or cheeks, or some other rough surface may be created due to the appliance being “remodeled.”
A good stopgap is to cover the area with wax and smooth it over until you can see your orthodontist. This will keep you comfortable in the meantime!
What to Say
Of course, you should call your orthodontist if you even suspect that something might be wrong with your braces—better to be safe than sorry! Over the phone, they’ll ask you what happened and have you describe what part of the appliance has been affected. This will help them determine if you need to come in right away or could wait until it’s more convenient. They can also offer first-aid tips to deal with any pain or soreness. If you experienced cracked or broken teeth stemming from your accident, they might direct you toward your general dentist first, as these issues need to be addressed first.
Regardless, you’ll end the call with an exact plan of what to do next so, if anything, you have peace of mind.
About the Author
Dr. Ben Youel is an orthodontist in Grayslake who completed his dental education and specialty training at the University of Illinois Chicago, where he was also selected to join Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the dental honor society that only accepts the top 10% of students in each class. He knows that life just happens sometimes, so if you or your child ever find yourselves dealing with an orthodontic emergency, our practice has a 24/7 helpline (847-268-8655) just in case! Otherwise, you can schedule a (non-emergency) appointment by clicking here.
