Oh no! My Braces Broke – What to do in Case of Emergency

Don’t worry! You’re not the first person to break a bracket or a wire. A broken appliance can cause major discomfort. Here are some tips from your orthodontist in Novi that can help you successfully manage an orthodontic emergency at home!

1. Don’t panic! Take a deep breath and calmly assess the situation so you can know what to do next. And don’t be afraid to tell a parent that something has broken. They can help you too.
2. Contact us today to let us know what has broken so that we can schedule a time to see you.
3. Use some of your wax. If you are experiencing wire irritations, wax can help. Take a bit of orthodontic wax and mold it to fit over the end of a poking wire or on a bracket that is bothering you. If you are able to dry the area first, it will stick longer.
4. If it is a back bracket, you can carefully slide the bracket off the wire, and cut the wire up to the next tooth using nail clippers. Use some wax if the end is still poking you.
5. Don’t play with the broken bracket or wire or you may break others around it.
6. Avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods to avoid future breakages or making current breakages worse.
7. Take smaller bites, if you take too big of a bite you can snatch the wire out of the back sockets in the bracket.
8. Warm salt water rinses help relieve some irritation caused by wires and brackets. Combined with wax you can heal sore spots along your cheek and lips.
9. Live and learn. Try to pinpoint how you broke your braces so you know what to avoid in the future. Multiple breakages can set your orthodontic treatment behind.

If you have any questions or need further assistance on what you can do to manage a breakage at home, feel free to call or text Masri Orthodontics in Livonia, your Livonia orthodontist choice. We are happy to serve you.