What Should You Do if a Bracket Breaks?

If you need braces, you need to seek out local orthodontic services. On average, expect to visit the orthodontist every six to ten weeks while you have braces treatment. Unfortunately, with braces, accidents can happen. In other words, you may have a broken bracket. If one of your metal brackets breaks, here are some steps you should take.

Identify Broken Bracket

Is the broken bracket obvious in the front of your mouth? Or is it further in the back, and you have to identify which one it is? Identify the broken bracket as quickly as possible.

Trim Bracket

Is the end of the bracket feeling very sharp inside your mouth? You may need to use scissors to gently trim the sharp end of the wire so that the sharp piece won’t cause a cut or abrasion in your mouth.

Get Wax

Do you have dental wax on hand? If not, you can check your local pharmacy or pick some up from your orthodontist. Put a piece of dental wax at the end of the broken bracket to prevent it from cutting into your mouth and doing further damage.

Call Orthodontist

Make sure you quickly contact your local orthodontic services. Depending on your orthodontist’s schedule, they may be able to see you the same day. If not, they’ll make an appointment to see you as soon as possible. Remember to follow the advice that your orthodontist gives you.

Avoid Eating Hard Food

Unfortunately, you may not be able to see your orthodontist on the same day. You still have to eat, drink and function in the meantime. To avoid further damage to your brackets, be careful about what you eat and how you eat it. While you already practice caution when eating with metal braces, you must be extra careful now since one of them is broken. If you can, avoid eating on the side of your mouth where the broken bracket is.

Our local orthodontic services are available to help you when experiencing any problems with your braces treatment. Don’t hesitate to call our office in case of a broken bracket or other concerns. If you don’t have braces yet, please get in touch with our office for a consultation to learn more about the process.