Please know that even if you alleviate the pain caused by your broken appliance, you still need a repair appointment. Sometimes this can make the wire protrude from the last bracket. No matter how your wire has gotten out of place, the solution is usually the same! What To Do During an Orthodontic Emergency. It's normal for a patient to have discomfort for a day or two after braces or retainers are adjusted. To alleviate the pain, you may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while you adjust to your new braces. You will need to make a clean cut on the wire. If possible, hold the tooth in your mouth, or store it in a cup of milk until you receive treatment.
If you break a bracket that attaches to a rubber band, please call the office during office hours and we will make an appointment to take care of any needed repairs. It's always best to have Dr. How to fix a nail clipper. Hardy fix your pokey wire problems. How often should braces wire be changed? If it's on your front teeth and visible, then you may need to come in for us to replace it (just for esthetics). It may be difficult to see and cut the wire by yourself. If you're out of wax, it can be found in the dental section at many grocery stores and pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens.
If you notice small spaces developing between your teeth, don't panic! If the bracket is not bothering you, you can leave it attached to the wire. It is possible to cut wire on braces at home using simple cutting instruments such as nail clippers or fingernail scissors. Mild pain relievers such as ibuprofen or Tylenol may also be an easy way to reduce pain. Sometimes you can't see your orthodontist immediately or it's a holiday or weekend, so you might have to take some steps yourself so that your mouth is comfortable and pain-free. What to Do When Your Braces Wire Breaks. Expander fell out or hanging from one side. We understand that pokey wires can be extremely uncomfortable if not addressed quickly. Always place any pieces in an envelope and bring it in with you. Another common reason is improved alignment of the teeth. If the archwire has slid around to one side try using a tweezer to slide it back to it's original position. The wire can also be held by a small piece of gauze or tissue. You will need to find the wire that needs to be cut.
The patient's parent/guardian will need to make the orthodontist aware of the problem. Take care of your cuts and sores. How to trim braces wire. Brackets can be broken by sticky, chewy, or hard foods as well as by being struck in the mouth while playing sports, etc. For more information regarding the care of your braces, please visit our Youtube Channel! Alternatively, wax may be placed over any sharp or poking wires. Use a pair of nail clippers to trim the edge of the broken wire and use tweezers to move the pointed end away from soft tissues. Rough play can also result in the destruction of braces or harm to the mouth.
Call for a Consultation. Food might become trapped between teeth and braces from time to time. QuestionHow can I take care of my lips when wearing braces? Be careful to prevent swallowing any part of your braces when trying to fix the wire. If you've run out, you're always welcome to visit the office to receive more. Though your mouth will gradually adapt to these new appliances and the pain will subside, applying wax to the harmful areas will reduce the contact of your cheeks and lips to the brackets. How to Handle Pokey Wires and Home and Other Orthodontic Tips. Notify our office the next business day so we can repair it. Wax can help shield sensitive parts of your mouth as you get used to having braces, or cover a short wire that is poking you, or keep a loose bracket from wiggling too much until you can get to our office for a fix up.
Before cutting the wire, be sure to check for any loose wire. You can purchase this wax from any pharmacy or from our office! Just be sure to give us a call beforehand. You should have received wax when you received your braces.