Braces are a significant investment in your smile, and broken brackets or wires can be both frustrating and a setback in your treatment. If you find yourself constantly dealing with broken braces, you’re not alone! At The American Orthodontic Group, we see this issue often, and we’re here to help you understand why it happens and how you can prevent it.
Common Causes of Broken Braces
1. Eating Hard or Sticky Foods
One of the most common reasons for broken brackets or wires is eating the wrong foods. Hard foods like nuts, popcorn, ice, or raw carrots can put too much pressure on your braces, causing breakage. Sticky foods like caramel, gum, and taffy can get caught in your brackets and pull them loose.
2. Biting Into Tough Foods
Biting directly into foods like apples, corn on the cob, or hard bread can easily dislodge brackets. Instead, try cutting these foods into smaller pieces and chewing with your back teeth to avoid damage.
3. Poor Oral Habits
Habits like chewing on pens, fingernails, or ice cubes can weaken your braces over time. Additionally, using your teeth as tools to open packages or bottles can cause severe damage.
4. Sports Injuries
If you play contact sports like football, basketball, or hockey without a mouthguard, a hit to the mouth can break your braces and even injure your mouth. A properly fitted mouthguard can protect both your teeth and your orthodontic appliances.
5. Grinding or Clenching Your Teeth
Bruxism (teeth grinding) can put excessive pressure on your braces, leading to broken brackets or bent wires. If you suspect you grind your teeth at night, talk to your orthodontist about getting a protective nightguard.
6. Accidental Damage
Sometimes, braces break due to accidents, like falling or bumping your mouth. If this happens, contact your orthodontist as soon as possible for a repair.
How to Prevent Broken Braces
1. Follow Your Orthodontist’s Dietary Guidelines
Avoid hard, crunchy, and sticky foods to keep your braces intact. Stick to soft foods and cut tougher items into smaller, manageable pieces.
2. Wear a Mouthguard for Sports
A custom-fitted mouthguard can protect your teeth and braces from damage during sports and physical activities.
3. Break Bad Habits
If you tend to chew on objects like pens or ice, make a conscious effort to stop. If you grind your teeth, speak to your orthodontist about a solution.
4. Be Gentle with Your Braces
Brushing and flossing carefully, following proper techniques, and avoiding unnecessary pressure on your braces will help them stay in good condition.
5. Schedule Regular Orthodontic Checkups
Regular visits to The American Orthodontic Group allow us to monitor your braces and make any necessary adjustments before small issues turn into bigger problems.
What to Do If Your Braces Break
If a bracket comes loose or a wire breaks, don’t panic. Here’s what you should do:
- If a wire is poking your cheek, use orthodontic wax to cover the sharp end until you can see your orthodontist.
- Avoid pulling or cutting wires yourself, as this can cause more damage.
- Call The American Orthodontic Group as soon as possible to schedule a repair appointment.
Broken braces can be inconvenient, but with the right precautions, you can prevent most issues and keep your treatment on track. By following these tips and working with The American Orthodontic Group, you’ll be well on your way to achieving a healthy, beautiful smile without unnecessary delays!
