Broken Braces? What to do if a bracket or wire breaks.

April 23, 2019
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Posted By: Brenda Shanahan

It is not unusual for a bracket or wire to break during orthodontic treatment and its nothing to panic about.

This usually happens when you bite into something a bit too hard and the pressure causes the bracket to come away from the tooth or the wire to move/break.

So what to do if you need something fixed on your brace…

Book an appointment- one of our orthodontists or our therapist will see you to repair the brace. Just call the practice on 018107622 and we’ll book you in as soon as possible.

DON’T FORGET: Orthodontic wax can be used to cover up sharp points on the brace and protect your mouth if a wire is broken/protruding.

Why do Orthodontic Breakages Happen?

The most common reason braces break is biting into hard or sticky foods. Always remember to cut hard food into smaller pieces and avoid anything chewy or sticky and this can help minimise the amount of breakages you have.

Another common cause of a damaged brace is a knock to the mouth while playing sports such as rugby or GAA. Always ensure you’re wearing a gumshield that is specially designed to fit around braces.

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