What Do I Do If My Kid’s Braces Break?

What Do I Do If My Kid’s Braces Break?

If your child or teen has braces, you may have to deal with their braces breaking at some point in their treatment. Braces are strong and durable, but they can be damaged and dislodged by certain activities, like eating the wrong foods or taking a hard hit in a contact sport.

Wondering what to do when your child’s braces break? Learn everything you should know from Molly Hottenstein Orthodontics below. 

Check For Tooth Damage (For Oral Injuries)

If your child’s bracket or wire has been dislodged or broken by an oral injury, the first thing you should do is look for signs of tooth damage like chipped or broken teeth, loose teeth, or cuts to the inside of their mouth.

If your child is complaining about serious pain, their mouth is bleeding a lot, or they have a clearly damaged or broken tooth, you should contact an emergency dentist in Wyomissing right away for an appointment to have their tooth repaired. It’s more important to fix their teeth immediately than it is to fix their braces right away. 

Figure Out How Your Child’s Braces Broke

Not all breakages are the same. There are three common ways that braces break. 

• Dislodged “floating” bracket – This happens when one or more brackets are still attached to the wire but are “floating” and are not attached to the tooth. This can happen if your child eats foods they’re not supposed to have or is hit in the mouth.
  
  
• Broken wire – The wire that runs between the brackets can snap or break due to dental trauma or an improper diet, poking your child’s mouth and irritating it. You can cover up the wire with orthodontic wax to keep your child comfortable until you see a Wyomissing childrens orthodontist.
  
  
• Bent or loose wire – This is usually caused by eating foods that are too hard for braces. Over time, the wire will bend or loosen. This is harder to notice than a broken wire or dislodged bracket, though. 
  

Get In Touch With Molly Hottenstein Orthodontics & Tell Us What Happened

Depending on the severity of the issue and how recently your child has had their braces adjusted, Dr. Hottenstein may either recommend emergency orthodontics to repair your child’s braces, or she may recommend that you take some steps to treat the issue at home until your child’s next adjustment. 

Tips For Preventing Broken & Damaged Braces

There are a few steps you and your child can take to prevent damaged and broken braces. 

• Always wear a mouthguard to protect their teeth and braces when participating in athletic activities like basketball and soccer, and hobbies like skateboarding
  
  
• Eat foods that are approved by Dr. Hottenstein and avoid crunchy, tough, and sticky foods that can break or loosen the brackets and wires
  
  
• Avoid biting hard fruits and foods (such as carrots or apples) with the front teeth. Cut them into small pieces instead
  

Get Help With Broken Braces In Wyomissing – Contact Us Today!

Dr. Hottenstein is always here to help orthodontic patients get the emergency care they need in Wyomissing. If your child’s braces are broken and they’re complaining about pain and discomfort, contact us right away at (484) 258-2299 to schedule an appointment right away.