Braces are quite durable. After all, they are designed to remain on your teeth for months at a time. However, they are not invincible. A fall during sports or a bite of the wrong type of food could lead to a broken bracket or wire. How can you deal with broken braces? This blog post discusses some practical steps you can take to minimize the damage and get your treatment back on track as soon as possible.
Call Your Dentist or Orthodontist
The practice that is providing your orthodontics in East Hartford wants your treatment to be as comfortable and stress-free as possible. It is wise to call them as soon as you notice that something is amiss with your braces. Describe the problem in as much detail as possible, and they will provide you with personalized guidance on your next steps. Depending on how severe the issue is, they might decide to schedule you for an emergency appointment within a day or two. When you are able to see them, they will inspect your braces and perform any necessary repairs.
Care for Your Mouth
Do not attempt to perform DIY braces repair. Without professional training, it is probable that you would worsen the damage. You might even end up harming your teeth or other tissues in your mouth. Instead, you should do what you can to make yourself as comfortable as possible until you are able to receive professional care. Here are some steps that might prove helpful:
- Carefully bend any protruding wires so they are flat against your teeth. A cotton swab or pencil eraser can help you accomplish this.
- Use orthodontic wax to place a barrier between your oral tissues and any portion of your braces that is bothering you. Just roll the wax into a little ball, then press it gently against the offending part of your braces.
- Swish some warm saltwater around your mouth. This can fight bacterial buildup and soothe any sores that you might have developed as a result of your broken braces.
- Eat soft foods, such as yogurt, soft bread, and eggs. Eating harder foods might worsen the damage to your braces.
- Take painkilling medication if necessary. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen may take the edge off of your discomfort.
- Do not neglect your oral hygiene routine, but be extra gentle when you are brushing and flossing so you do not further damage your braces.
Avoid Future Damage
Broken braces are no fun to deal with. Your orthodontist or dentist might give you some pointers on how to avoid damage to your orthodontic appliances in the future. For example, they might advise you to invest in a custom mouthguard or provide tips on how to eat safely. Hopefully, the remainder of your treatment period will pass without any more unfortunate incidents!
Meet the Practice
Comprehensive Dental Associates of Central Connecticut is proud to be able to provide traditional braces and other orthodontic treatments. If you have questions about how to deal with broken braces or anything else related to your oral health, our team would be pleased to assist you. Contact us at 860-367-8326.