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Accidents do, in fact, happen—and sometimes, they happen to braces. But having a plan in advance can make them a lot less worrisome! Smiles from the Hart is here to give you the rundown on what to do if your braces break.
False Truths
There are so many ways that your braces can sustain damage—and a lot of times, patients start treatment with some warped beliefs about this topic. We want to begin by laying down some facts about how braces break and how you should respond:
- Myth 1: Braces Are Hard to Break
- Truth: Yes, traditional braces are built to be sturdy and withstand a lot of contact— but they can absolutely be damaged by improper care or unexpected trauma. Even something as simple as biting into a hard candy can lead to broken brackets or bent wires.
- Myth 2: Only Sports Can Cause Severe Damage
- Truth: This misconception is based on a fact: Sports are a common culprit behind damaged braces. But perfectly mundane everyday activities like biting nails or chewing on pens can also lead to ugly issues. It’s important to be mindful of any habits that put pressure on your braces.
- Myth 3: It’s Okay to Fix Braces at Home
- Truth: Dr. Hart does not recommend anyone do this—ever. Attempting to fix braces on your own often makes things worse. It’s always best to contact Dr. Hart for guidance rather than risking additional damage or injury.
- Myth 4: If It Doesn’t Hurt, It’s Not Serious
- Truth: Sometimes, the damage is completely painless. A loose bracket, for example, won’t necessarily hurt. But that doesn’t mean it’s not serious. A loose bracket or wire can lead to shifting teeth and longer treatment times if we don’t handle it right away.
- Myth 5: Braces Damage Always Requires an Immediate Visit
- Truth: While some types of damage require urgent care (more on that later), many minor issues can be managed at home temporarily until your next scheduled appointment at Smiles from the Hart. It is always a good idea to check with us first over the phone!
What Just Happened?
If your braces break, the first and most important step is to take a closer look. This can be done with a friend or relative’s help, your phone’s camera, or a mirror. When you call us, we’ll want to know the level of damage you’re experiencing. Here are a few common examples of descriptions and responses:
- Loose Bracket: “One of the brackets on my left front tooth seems to be completely broken off! It’s sliding around on the wire a bit.”
- Temporary Solution: We’ll probably advise you to use orthodontic wax in this situation to keep the bracket in place until you can see Dr. Hart to get it reattached.
- Broken or Protruding Wire: “There’s a section of wire on the lower right towards the back that’s really sharp against my cheek.”
- Temporary Solution: Again, you should apply orthodontic wax as a buffer over the sharp edge to prevent further irritation or injury. Never try to clip or cut the wire!
- Loose Band: “Something came loose in the very back of my mouth, on my bottom left molar. I’m not sure what it is, but I have it in my hand.”
- Temporary Solution: We will advise you to keep this loose band safe and bring it to the office for repair.
Experiencing an Emergency
Not all examples of damaged braces can be described as emergencies that need to be addressed at that very moment. Usually, we can provide you with a short-term solution until you see us—but this isn’t true of certain serious scenarios. All three of these examples require prompt attention:
- Inhaled or Swallowed Braces Component: If you or your child are pretty sure or certain a braces component has been inhaled or swallowed, remain calm and contact us at once. Follow any guidance provided by Dr. Hart and our team, as this situation requires prompt treatment to ensure a safe outcome.
- Continuous Bleeding: When you sustain a mouth injury, bleeding ideally stops after a while with applied pressure. If the bleeding is severe and does not stop, reach out to our office for emergency care. We might refer you to an urgent care center.
- Severe Wire Damage: If a wire pierces deeply into your cheek, gums, or tongue—stay calm and do not attempt to fix it yourself. We’ll want to address this right away and carefully repair it.
Making the Right Move
If you experience damage with your braces, try not to be too shaken. Our amazing Murfreesboro team at Smiles from the Hart is behind you completely, and we have extensive experience in managing broken braces. Hopefully, we’ll mostly see you under happier circumstances!