If you or your child have braces, these can sometimes come loose if you eat the wrong food, are struck in the mouth, or for other reasons. If that happens, it’s important to see your dentist to fix or reattach the braces, rather than trying to fix the problem yourself.
Read more about the causes, treatments and prevention for loose and broken braces or book an appointment at your local Swish Dental clinic in Brisbane so our experienced dentists can get your orthodontic treatment back on track.
What causes braces to break or loosen?
When braces get damaged or come loose, this usually means the brackets are no longer attached to the teeth and are sliding freely along the arch wire. Brace brackets may come loose or damage for a number of reasons, including:
- Biting into food that’s too hard, crunchy or sticky
- Getting struck in the mouth while playing sports or other activities, especially if you’re not wearing a mouthguard
- Grinding or clenching your teeth during the day or while you sleep (bruxism)
- Fiddling with your braces
You can lower your risk of brace problems by trying to avoid these risk factors. Braces may also be more prone to coming loose if they weren’t correctly bonded by your dentist or if your bite causes your upper teeth to push down against the lower brackets.
Do broken braces hurt?
Damaged braces don’t normally hurt, but you may feel some discomfort as the loose brackets move around in your mouth. However, if the broken brace is on the back teeth, this may leave the end of the arch wire exposed, which could scratch or irritate the inside of your cheek. The brace may also slide off the arch wire and come loose in your mouth, causing a swallowing hazard.
A damaged or loose brace isn’t considered a dental emergency in most cases, but you should still contact your dentist to make an appointment to reattach the brace as soon as possible.
Can a dentist fix broken braces?
Fixing braces is usually a simple process that your dentist can complete in a single appointment. This usually involves:
- Removing and cleaning the brackets
- Polishing your teeth and applying new adhesive
- Reattaching and bonding the brackets
- Reconnecting the arch wire
While you shouldn’t try to reattach braces yourself, you can avoid further problems if your brace breaks or comes loose by placing some wax over the brackets. This can help to hold them in place until you can see a dentist. If an arch wire is loose, you can cover the end with wax or try to cut the wire to a shorter length to prevent it from injuring your mouth.
Braces and repairs in Brisbane
If you or your child are interested in straightening your teeth, or you have a problem with your current braces, talk to our dentists at Swish Dental today. Call our team in Everton Park on (07) 3355 1422 or our Mitchelton clinic on (07) 3354 3341, or book online.