If you or your child wear traditional braces, you know that your treatment involves multiple brackets, rubber bands, and wires to help you achieve your desired look and function of your smile. And while we are sure you take care of your braces and are taking the proper steps to keep them in good shape, accidents do happen.
In some cases, you may find yourself dealing with a broken wire. If this happens, here are some ways you can handle the situation safely.
What Do I Do About a Broken Braces Wire?
Call Your Orthodontist
Especially if the broken wire is causing you pain or you are unsure of how serious it is based on its placement within your braces, it’s often best to pick up the phone and call your orthodontist for advice. They can offer you the best advice to remedy the situation, and, if they feel that the wire needs immediate attention, schedule you a time to come see them in the office.
Get Out the Wax
In some cases, a broken wire won’t need immediate attention, but it still may be causing you a bit of irritation. This is when it would be wise to break out your orthodontic wax and place a small amount of it over the area where the wire is irritating you. While this isn’t a permanent fix, it definitely can help if you’re unable to see your orthodontist right away.
Rinse with Salt Water
If a loose or broken wire has irritated you to the point of scraping your gum or cheek, mix together salt and warm water and rinse with it several times a day. This can help prevent any infection from forming and calm the irritation.