It’s no secret that braces require specialized care in order to maintain a healthy smile during treatment, but if your child breaks a bracket, there’s no need to panic! Our orthodontist near Highland Park often treats patients who have come in with an unexpected broken bracket. It’s only natural to experience some mishap while wearing braces, but understanding what causes broken brackets can help reduce the frequency of them.
Here is some guidance from our team on how to avoid breaking a bracket:
Eating hard, sticky foods that may have the force to pull the bracket off of the tooth. Common examples of foods that cause this include nuts, popcorn kernels, caramel candies, etc.
Sustaining a mouth injury
Brushing your teeth using too much force
Using a toothpick
Being too rough while flossing
Even the most diligent patients experience hiccups throughout the process of wearing braces. In the case that your child does break a bracket, take the following steps.
Look at the level of damage that was caused by examining the wires surrounding the bracket. In the case that the wire is still attached to the bracket, use a cotton swab to gently push it back into place. The wire can be covered with orthodontic wax to prevent irritation and damage. If there are long wires that may cause damage to the mouth, we recommend using a pair of nail trimmers to cut the wire as closely as possible to the teeth. Only remove the bracket if it is very loose and keep it in a safe spot. Our orthodontist near Highland Park will reattach that bracket during the next appointment.
You’ll also want to schedule an appointment regardless of the extent of the damage. While damaged brackets are not considered an orthodontic emergency, it’s ideal to swiftly treat the problem to avoid any delay in treatment. Please get in touch with us today to schedule your appointment!
One of the biggest misconceptions about braces is that they are permanent – at least until the orthodontist takes them off. But in reality, they can come loose and fall off. The most common problem concerns the brackets.
If you don’t already know, brackets are those small pieces of metal or ceramic (depending on the type of braces you have) attached to each tooth. The main job of these brackets is to guide the movement of teeth while holding the orthodontic wire in place. For a more in-depth look at braces, including the brackets and other parts, please read this post.
Brackets can fall off for a variety of reasons. When your orthodontist is done placing the wires, brackets, and other parts of your braces, you will receive specific instructions. They tell you how to take care of your teeth now that you have braces. Part of your dental hygiene now is to care for your braces, which includes brushing and flossing.
Sometimes, one or more brackets can come off. It is an inconvenience, but it happens to a lot of people with braces. Even if you have good oral hygiene or follow your orthodontist’s instructions, you could lose a bracket. What could be the reason behind it?
Here are the answers:
There is a reason why your orthodontist takes a good look at your teeth before placing your braces. The process often takes a while to finish, but it is to make sure that your teeth are healthy. Brackets are bonded to the surface of the teeth. Some people tend to have a weaker bond because there already is a problem with their teeth.
The reason is that brackets attach better to healthy teeth with strong enamel. If your enamel is discoloured or there are other issues, the brackets and your teeth may not bond properly. It is why brackets have a high risk of falling off when placed on teeth with a filling or crown. Even though the brackets can stick to artificial replacements, they work better when attached to natural enamel.
This problem, however, does not often have a solution. You cannot change certain traits of your mouth. The best thing you can do is ensure that you have the best oral hygiene, especially when you have enamel issues. That way, the problem does not get worse.
In your dental visits, you may already be aware that you have weak enamel. In this case, you should be even more careful because your brackets have a bigger chance of falling off if you do not pay attention to them.
Orthodontists are human and are prone to mistakes. Even the most experienced and knowledgeable orthodontists can make errors. And the problem with your bracket coming off maybe because of that error.
Brackets should be bonded when the teeth are clean and dry. However, we have seen some orthodontists who are in a hurry or a little distracted. As a result, they may install your brackets hastily. When you are being prepped for the application of braces, try to feel your mouth. IF you can sense excess saliva in your mouth, don’t hesitate to tell your orthodontist before work starts.
Another instance is when the orthodontist keeps trying to position the bracket correctly. Sometimes, the adhesive used to bond the brackets may begin to weaken when it is continuously manipulated. Unfortunately, you are a patient who cannot gauge how to place the brackets properly and how much time should elapse for the placement.
If you can recall that your orthodontist took too long to place your brackets, do not hesitate to discuss it if you lose a bracket. Have a similar conversation if your orthodontist was in a rush when placing your brackets.
One of the first few things that your dentist talks to you about is regarding what you should and should not eat upon getting braces. Before your treatment, if you loved eating sticky or hard food, it is time for you to give them up. You also have to stop drinking soda or at least limit your consumption of anything sugary.
Many people who wear braces are fond of chewing ice and gum or drinking too much soft drink. Unfortunately, those food choices are not only bad for health but also for the teeth. It is often tough to give up the sweet stuff, but they can contribute to cavities. Apart from that, most candies are sticky or hard. Consuming them, especially like how you used to before getting braces, can cause your brackets to fall off.
You may have to give up sugary food and drinks, as well as sticky foods until your treatment is complete. Doing so may be difficult, but it will also help the braces work faster, so you do not have to wear them for a long time. Think about it as a short-term sacrifice so that you can finally enjoy long-term beauty.
Besides your food choices, you may also have bad habits, such as chewing on your fingernails or any hard objects, such as pen caps. If you bite too hard, the brackets can become dislodged. Most chewing habits are tough to avoid, especially if you have been doing them for as long as you can remember. But remember that you could spend extra time in the orthodontist’s chair if you do not take care of your teeth.
Another thing that you may have to worry about is brushing. Yes, brushing your teeth is essential and should be done at least twice a day. You need to follow a strict routine to ensure that your oral health is in optimal shape. But sometimes, your enthusiasm could do more damage than good. If you brush too hard, either because you are used to it or in a hurry, you could lose a bracket.
Your orthodontist will give you a replacement toothbrush after the placement of the braces. This toothbrush has very soft bristles. You may also have to change how you brush your teeth. You’re wearing wires so you have to be careful not to brush too hard. At the same time, you should also brush at an angle so the bristles reach your teeth. Be gentle when brushing and never apply too much pressure. You can switch to an electric toothbrush, which will do the work for you. You will only have to place the brush head on each tooth for about two seconds and move on to the next. It’s easier and does not require any pressure from your hand.
So, you checked, and you saw that you lost your bracket. Perhaps you brushed vigorously, or you ate something hard and sticky. Not to worry; there are a few things that you can do when you’re at home to prevent further damage.
First and foremost, you should not touch the device in your mouth. It can be tempting but always seek advice from your orthodontist first. If you have no choice or, for some reason, it is not possible for you to leave your house and go to the dental office, you can do the following:
A broken wire is a more serious issue because it can stick out and hurt your mouth. You can push it back to its original position using a cotton swab. However, be very careful and gentle. An alternative is to use a pencil eraser, but once again, don’t apply too much pressure. If the wire is still protruding, you can put orthodontic wax on the pointy end. Repeat the process until you are ready to see your orthodontist.
Losing a bracket is not a dental emergency. You do not have to wake your orthodontist in the middle of the night to fix the bracket for you. However, it should be addressed right away. Remember that brackets falling off means there is a delay in your treatment. And the longer the delay, the longer you have to wait to get straighter teeth.
At Oasis Orthodontics, we make sure to communicate with patients well. If they have concerns, our friendly staff will help them address the situation as quickly as possible. Loose brackets or those that have completely fallen off can be replaced by scheduling an appointment. We will be happy to assist you and ensure that the situation does not worsen, so there is little to no setback in achieving a healthy and straight smile.