If a bracket is correctly installed, and the wearer is taking due care, brackets shouldn't fall off. However, it's not uncommon for them to loosen, even if your orthodontist has fixed them properly. And particularly if you have a habit of eating some of the foods that you're told to avoid, like hard candy or nuts.
Sometimes, one or more brackets can come off. It is an inconvenience, but it happens to a lot of people with braces. Even if you have good oral hygiene or follow your orthodontist's instructions, you could lose a bracket.
Sometimes the tooth will not be as clean as it appears therefore allowing the bracket to eventually fall off. There are also some cements that might not be as strong and saliva and water can eventually loosen the bracket. Some Orthodontists will fiddle around with the bracket trying to get it in just the right place.
Try to eat softer foods that will not cause any additional discomfort. All hard foods should be avoided until your braces have been fixed. If the broken brace causes any discomfort, you can use over-the-counter pain relievers to make you feel more comfortable.
Broken brackets are not a big deal and they are not an orthodontic emergency. Almost every orthodontic patient has at least one broken bracket during treatment and orthodontists are used to fixing brackets for their patients….
There are many reasons why brackets may fall off from moisture exposure (saliva) during placement of the bracket, weak enamel structure and factors related to how and what patients eat.
Is a Loose Bracket an Orthodontic Emergency? No – your braces will still work properly without it until your orthodontist can affix a new one. If a bracket comes loose or breaks, leave it in place and cover it with wax if needed for comfort. If the bracket breaks off entirely, just remove it and leave it alone.
While dentists do not have the same training in orthodontia that orthodontists do, they can usually repair an orthodontic bracket or make a quick fix to help you get through to your appointment with your orthodontist.
Your Lifestyle & Habits
Wearing orthodontic appliances requires lifestyle changes, particularly with what you eat and how you brush your teeth. Hard or sticky foods can knock a bracket loose. Improper flossing, using toothpicks, and even brushing your teeth a little too vigorously can cause a bracket to come loose.
Loose Bracket – Use orthodontic wax to hold a loose bracket in place, or if it can be easily removed, place it in a Ziploc bag or container and bring it with you to your appointment. Your orthodontist will then use an adhesive to bond it back into place.
It's not unusual to sometimes break a wire or bracket when you have braces. There's nothing to panic about, but you should take action to get your broken braces fixed. Damaged braces can cause discomfort, cuts and abrasions inside the mouth and, if left unfixed, make your treatment less effective.
As for the fees for broken brackets, wires, plates or lost aligners, most orthodontic practices won't charge you a fee for the first few broken brackets. However, some may start to charge after several breakages. It is important that you check with your orthodontist as to what is included in your treatment fees.
Just in case something happens, the glue has to be able to give a little. Unfortunately, that means that brackets can sometimes become loose or break during normal, day-to-day activities. Playing contact sports, eating chewy, hard, or sticky foods, and placing foreign items in your mouth (pencils, fingernails, etc.)
They can break for some reasons, due to the fragility of the brackets. These include using a toothpick or flossing too roughly, eating the wrong types of foods, brushing your teeth incorrectly, injuring your mouth, and brushing too vigorously.
Moreover, brushing too hard can damage your braces by breaking the brackets and rubber bands holding them in place. To prevent this, adopt a gentle brushing technique using a soft-bristled toothbrush specifically designed for braces.
Generally, a broken bracket doesn't hurt. However, it can be annoying if you're experiencing a loose bracket that's not broken altogether. This is because it constantly lingers inside your mouth. The loose wires from the braces may poke your gums and cause irritation.
If the broken bracelet is still attached to the wire, don't try to remove it. Instead, use a cotton swab to reposition the bracket on your tooth surface. Apply a bit of dental wax to the bracket to help hold it in place.
Don't worry if you swallow a braces bracket; it's not as bad as you would think. The bracket will often go through your body on its own. Because brackets are constructed of ceramic and titanium, your stomach's acid won't dissolve them; instead, you'll have to pass it.
The “glue” that holds the braces on your teeth is similar to the material we use to fill teeth. It is strong, but it takes up to 48 hours to set completely. Softer foods will be easier to eat while also allowing the braces to set.
Some clinics may steam sterilize discarded appliances, but since many dental appliances are not reusable or recyclable anyway, most dentists and orthodontists dispose of them with contaminated medical waste like used gloves and other items that contact body fluids.
The final wire is the largest, stiffest, and has the ability to be bent. This wire allows for fine detailing through minor wire bends.
How Long Can You Go with a Broken Bracket? If you have a broken bracket and it does not make you feel uncomfortable, there is no pressing need to get it mended immediately. In most cases, you can safely postpone having it repaired for several days or weeks without experiencing any adverse effects.