Wearing traditional braces is a time-honored way to straighten your teeth and improve your bite. But in order for your treatment to work properly, your wires and brackets should be in good working order. If you notice a bracket has come loose or fallen off your tooth, here’s what you should do, and why when it comes to repairing your braces time is of the essence!
I Broke a Bracket. Now What?
If you’ve ever had a bracket pop off mid-meal, you know the feeling of panic that can sometimes happen. But don’t despair. While it’s certainly not encouraged, broken brackets come with the territory wearing braces, especially as you get used to eating with them.
If you do notice a bracket has come loose, the first step should always be to contact your orthodontist. While in most cases you can wait a day or so to be seen, it is important to have it reattached as soon as possible so that your treatment stays on track.
Next, be sure to keep your teeth and braces clean, but be gentle when brushing around the loose wire and bracket area. Furthermore, be very careful with what you eat, as anything too chewy or crunchy could move the wires or loosen more brackets.
Do not ever attempt to glue your bracket back on. If it is causing any pain or irritation, you can apply a small amount of dental wax to any sharp edges or between the tooth and bracket, but do not pull the bracket too far to get behind it.
How to Avoid Broken Brackets
There are many ways that brackets can become detached, including injuries from sports and foods that are too crunchy or chewy. If you are an athlete, speak to your orthodontist about having a sports mouthguard made so you can protect your teeth and your braces safe during activities. Be sure to only eat foods on the approved list provided by your orthodontist. Foods to avoid include:
- Hard or crunchy foods like pretzels, crackers, chips, and crusty breads
- Chewy foods like caramels, gummies, taffy, and gum
- Crunchy raw fruits and vegetables
Furthermore, if you get food stuck in your braces, be very careful with how you attempt to remove it. Only use a soft-bristled toothbrush, dental floss, or a small braces brush. Never poke at your brackets with a toothpick. If you haven’t already, it may also be a great idea to invest in a water irrigator / water flosser. These devices use pressure to shoot a stream of water at your teeth to loosen plaque and debris. Though it’s not as effective as using regular dental floss to clean between your teeth, water can help with this step, as well as wash away matter that is stuck to your wires and brackets.
Remember, while a broken bracket is nothing to panic about, it is still important to have it reattached as soon as possible, so contact your orthodontist as soon as possible if this occurs.
About Dr. Palmer
Dr. Nicholas Palmer is proud to help you and your family improve their smiles with the help of braces! He is the proud recipient of the Dr. John H. Dempsey Orthodontics Scholarship and the Southern Association of Orthodontics Research Grant. In 2024, he earned full certification by the American Board of Orthodontics, a distinction held by a minority of doctors in his field. Dr. Palmer is an active member of the American Dental Association, Pennsylvania Dental Association, the American Academy of Orthodontists, and the West Virginia Dental and Orthodontic Alumni Associations.
To schedule an emergency appointment for braces repair, please give Palmer Orthodontics a call at 724-942-5130 in McMurray, or 412-833-6188 in Bethel Park, or visit our website today.