Braces are not indestructible. It’s not unusual to break a bracket at some point during your orthodontic treatment. If this happens, don’t panic! Broken brackets are relatively common and easy to fix.
Follow the steps listed in this article, then contact the emergency dentists at Bristol Dental Clinic in Mississauga. We’ll determine if you need urgent dental care.
How do you know if a bracket is broken?
If your braces have a broken bracket, you’ll be able to feel and see it. The bracket pops off, so it is no longer attached to your tooth. Suddenly, it can move or slide along the archwire (sometimes, the bracket even spins around).
When a bracket detaches from the tooth, it often takes the other brackets along with it. The brackets are connected via the archwire, so when one breaks free, it pulls the others loose as well.
If one of the back brackets breaks, brackets can begin to slide off the archwire into the back of your mouth. Collect any brackets that have fallen off (or are about to) and secure them in a container.
Does a broken bracket hurt?
Breaking a bracket can be nerve-wracking; however, it’s not typically painful. In most cases, the bracket simply slides around on the wire. Although this tends to feel annoying (and strange), you shouldn’t experience much discomfort.
That being said, it can hurt if it’s a back bracket that has broken. This exposes the end of the archwire, which can poke your cheek and cause irritation.
Why do brackets break?
Brackets can break for a variety of reasons. Accidents, eating the wrong foods, improper dental care, and a weaker bond during the bonding process are all possible causes. Let’s take a closer look:
- You’ve bitten something that is too hard, crunchy, or sticky. These types of food can cause your braces to break. Avoid eating chips, pretzels, ice, sticky candy, etc., during your orthodontic treatment.
- Grinding your teeth at night. Bruxism (teeth grinding) puts excessive pressure on your braces, resulting in wire damage and broken brackets.
- Excessive fidgeting with your brackets and wires can cause them to loosen.
- Sports accidents and other mouth injuries can damage your braces. You should always wear a mouthguard while playing sports to protect your braces and teeth.
- Brackets can also come loose because of improper dental care. For example, brushing your teeth too vigorously, flossing carelessly, and using toothpicks.
- In rare cases, the brackets may have not bonded properly when your braces were installed. A weaker bond can cause brackets to pop off at inopportune times.
Does a broken bracket constitute a dental emergency?
First and foremost, we recommend contacting your emergency dentist in Mississauga whenever your braces are damaged. That way, we can determine the severity of your situation. If you require immediate treatment, Bristol Dental Clinic is ready to assist you. We treat emergencies on the same day.
Generally, a broken bracket does not constitute a dental emergency. You can usually wait a few days before having it repaired. However, you should seek urgent dental care if the archwire is protruding and affecting your cheeks and gums.
That being said, you should still see your orthodontist as soon as possible. Not only is it impossible to stick the bracket back on yourself, but dislodged brackets can compromise your orthodontic treatment if left too long.
A loose bracket can also make eating difficult—and it’s easy to make the problem worse. It’s more important than ever to avoid hard or crunchy foods. Instead, opt for softer foods like yogurt, smoothies, and pasta.
What should you do if you break a bracket?
1. Stay calm
Remember, broken brackets are rarely emergency-level situations. They’re easily repaired by your orthodontist, typically pain-free, and shouldn’t compromise your treatment. You aren’t the first person to break a bracket, and you certainly won’t be the last!
Keeping a cool head is crucial in any type of dental emergency. The more calm you remain, the more accurately you can assess the damage. You’re also less likely to swallow the bracket by mistake. Above all, stay calm and don’t play with the broken bracket with your tongue.
2. Assess the damage
Next, take a good look at your braces. Has more than one bracket popped off? Is the back bracket closest to your molars still in place? If a bracket is on the verge of falling off the archwire, remove it and place it in a small container. Bring the bracket to your appointment at Bristol Dental Clinic.
3. Check the wire
Pay close attention to the wire. Is it still attached to the bracket, or has it snapped? Is the wire bent, protruding, or poking your cheeks and gums? Broken, bent, and protruding wires can cut the inside of your mouth, causing irritation and swelling.
If the wire is still connected to the bracket, push it back gently and secure it with orthodontic wax. You can also place orthodontic wax or sugar-free gum over the end of a broken wire to prevent it from poking your mouth.
You can use a wire cutter or nail clippers to shorten any protruding or overlong wires. Cut the wire as close to the teeth as possible, and cover up the end with orthodontic wax or sugar-free gum.
Alternatively, you can bend protruding wires away from your mouth’s softer parts. A damp Q-tip is a good tool for this.
4. Schedule your appointment
Now, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your Mississauga dentist. Contact your emergency dentist if you’re experiencing discomfort, pain, or if you’re concerned about the broken bracket. The team at Bristol Dental Clinic will determine if you need urgent dental care.
The sooner you come to see us, the sooner we can put an end to your discomfort. Promptly reattaching the floating bracket also prevents your teeth from shifting back to their original positions, compromising your orthodontic treatment.
5. Prevent further damage or injury
It’s very important to prevent further damage or injury before your appointment. Do not eat anything hard, crunchy, or sticky. Keep your mouth as clean as possible to prevent infections from developing in any cuts or breaks. Rinse regularly with warm salt water or an antiseptic. This cleanses any wounds inside your mouth.
Contact Bristol Dental Clinic for Emergency Dental Care in Mississauga
If you’re experiencing any kind of dental emergency, contact the team at Bristol Dental Clinic immediately. Our compassionate and knowledgeable team is here to help.
We prioritize dental emergencies by providing same-day treatment to ease your discomfort and concerns. Whether it’s a broken bracket or a knocked-out tooth, the Mississauga emergency dentists at Bristol Dental Clinic are ready to assist you.
To book an appointment in Mississauga, call Bristol Dental Clinic at 866-673-2109 or contact us here.
