Broken brackets, also known as loose or floating brackets, frequently occur during your time with braces and are something nearly every patient will experience. However, it is essential to understand the most typical causes of loose brackets. This will allow you to prevent the problem as much as possible.
Several treatments are available for loose braces, and the appropriate one will depend on the circumstances. Don’t freak out if one of your brackets comes loose while wearing braces; it’s a lot simpler to fix than you might imagine.
In this article, we’ll answer the common question of, “How long can you go with a loose bracket?”.
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.
You need to get in touch with the orthodontic clinic if the bracket is giving you any discomfort or if you are worried about it. Most orthodontic offices will allot time during the day for appointments just for bracket repairs, and they will be able to schedule you for an appointment to have your bracket repaired within a few days.
A broken bracket is not an emergency, and it does not have to be fixed on the day it was discovered. Wax or gum without sugar can help alleviate any pain you may be experiencing while you wait to schedule an appointment.
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What to Do if a Bracket Comes Loose
Your braces might become loose for various reasons, such as eating improper foods and engaging in bad habits such as biting your fingernails.
Depending on the circumstances at hand, many different approaches can be used to deal with loose braces. If one of your brackets has gotten loose on your braces, you do not need to be concerned because it is much simpler to deal with a loose bracket than you might imagine.
Patients who use orthodontic braces could discover that one of the brackets that were supposed to hold the archwire has fallen loose. This may occur when the dental adherent on the tooth surface separates from its anchor and becomes loose. A loose bracket can cause damage to your mouth or gums, and it is generally unpleasant to have to wear because of its appearance. Aside from this, treatment will be delayed since the tooth in question does not receive the torque or push allotted. This may influence the outcome of the treatment if it is allowed to continue on its own for an extended period.
Related: What to Do if Braces Bracket Glue Came Off
Put on Some Wax
If the orthodontic bracket is causing you irritation because it is rubbing on your gum or the inside of your cheek, cover it with a small amount of orthodontic wax. Using dental wax is easy – simply take a small piece of the wax and press it onto the bracket. The warm temperature of your fingers will help soften the wax and make it easier to apply. Once the wax is in place, use a cotton swab to smooth it out and secure it firmly. This will help protect your bracket and keep you comfortable while waiting for your next orthodontist appointment.
Mend the Broken Bracket
If the wire has also snapped and is protruding from its socket, you can try to reattach it using a cotton swab or an eraser from a pencil. Do this very cautiously. If the bracket has completely detached from your tooth, you should keep it safe and bring it with you to your next appointment so that it can be corrected.
If the wire is sharp and painful, you can use fingernail clippers to cut the wire behind the most recent attached bracket and then carefully remove the piece of broken wire that was created.
Read More: How to Cut Braces Wires at Home
Rinse
Rinse your mouth regularly with warm salt water or a calming rinse such as Peroxyl to assist in the healing of any minor ulcers that may have developed due to irritation to the tissue. You can also use a soft toothbrush to brush the area around the bracket gently. If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort, be sure to speak with your dentist about it.
Book an Appointment
You should book an appointment with your orthodontist as soon as possible so that they can assess the damage and determine the best course of action. In some cases, the bracket may just need to be replaced. However, if the breakage is severe, you may need to undergo more extensive treatment. Either way, it’s important to get seen by a professional so that you can protect your oral health.
Read More: Types of Orthodontic Emergencies and How to Handle Them
Consult with Kumra Orthodontics to learn more about how long you can go with a loose bracket
If you are experiencing a loose bracket, it is important to consult with Kumra Orthodontics as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of the situation, we may be able to repair the bracket without having to remove and replace the entire archwire. However, if left unfixed for too long, this could lead to more serious problems that will delay your orthodontic treatment. We want you to have a beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime; don’t let an unattached bracket get in the way!
