Have you ever been eating or exercising when one of the wires in your braces came loose? Or have you ever had trouble with braces piercing your cheeks? These are common orthodontic problems that can be solved in a few easy steps.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Fixing Loose Wire
Step 1. Slide it back into place
Sometimes braces can loosen from their brackets, which are small metal or ceramic objects that are attached to your teeth. If this happens, or if the wire does come loose, try pushing it back with your finger. If you can't push it back in, grab a mirror and tweezers. Pinch the center of the wire and bend it so you can slide the ends back and back into place in the bracket.
- If you find the wire still wants to slip out, use an orthodontic wax to hold it in place. To apply this wax, dry the bracket and wire with a cotton ball or cotton ball. Take a pea-sized candle, roll it into a ball and place it on the edge of the bracket and the ends of the loose wire, holding it in place.
- Even if this isn't an emergency, you can still contact your orthodontist and let him or her know what's going on with your braces. The doctor will tell you whether the repair can be postponed until your next scheduled check-up.
Step 2. Bend the wire backwards
Ligature wire--the wire that wraps around the brackets of your braces--can become loose when you're eating or brushing your teeth. If this is the case, the best option is to try to bend the wire back into place. Use a pencil eraser or cotton ball to push the end of the wire back into place. If the wire continues to bother you, use orthodontic wax. Dry the annoying wire with a cotton ball or cotton ball. Take a pea-sized amount of orthodontic wax and place it over the dry wire, pressing it down so that the wax covers the entire wire.
If the wire has caused mouth sores, rinse your mouth with salt water or a solution of peroxide and water. Do this two to three times a day and continue to apply orthodontic wax over the wire. Your mouth will heal over time
Step 3. Cut off the wire
There are times when the damaged wire will not stay firmly in place in the bracket. The wire may also break and no longer fit in where it should fit. In this case, you will need to cut off the excess wire to resolve the situation until you can go to an orthodontist to have the wire repaired. Open your mouth, place a tissue or other material under the broken wire to catch the part you are going to cut. Using a mirror to guide your movement, trim the ends of the wire with sharp nail clippers.
- If you don't have sharp nail clippers, you can also use wire clippers or any cutting tool that can cut the wire. Just make sure that you don't accidentally cut your lips.
- Make sure you catch the rest of the cut wire. You certainly don't want to swallow or get stabbed by the piece of wire.
- You may not be able to collect all the pieces of wire, so be aware of any sharp edges that may be left behind from this step. If the edge of the wire still hurts your mouth, you can put orthodontic wax over it.
Method 2 of 2: Fixing the Wire That's Causing the Irritation
Step 1. Use orthodontic wax
The longer you wear braces, the more they pull your teeth into a harmonious row. When this happens, your teeth move. This is what causes the wires in the braces to move. The closer your teeth are to each other, the more excess wire will appear on the back ends of your braces. Excess wire can cause irritation and discomfort. If the wire sticks out just a little, you can use orthodontic wax to help reduce the pain until you can take him to the doctor for repair. Dry the area with a cotton ball or cotton ball. Then, roll a pea-sized orthodontic wax between your fingers and apply it to the irritating wire at the back of your mouth.
You may also consider using a cotton ball in this mouth area. Cotton may be a little cumbersome, but it will work until you can get an orthodontic wax or see an orthodontist
Step 2. Bend the wire backwards
If the wire is too long and cannot be covered with wax, you will need to move it. Try to bend the wire backwards with your fingers. If the wire is too small, try using a pencil eraser to move the tip away from the irritated area.
Make sure you don't move the wire anywhere else, which will cause irritation in your mouth again. Also make sure you don't bend it until you remove one of your brackets. This will make you need additional repairs when you go to the orthodontic clinic
Step 3. Cut the wire
When there's a particularly irritating wire in the back of your mouth, applying wax and bending it backwards may not be the best way to deal with it. If the wire is too long to wax and too strong to bend, take nail clippers or wire clippers and cut the wire as close to the end of the wire as you can reach without damaging the bracket.
- Make sure you can collect the rest of the wire you cut. You certainly don't want to swallow or stab yourself with the remaining wire. To collect the wire, place a tissue or cloth under your mouth to cover it as you cut it.
- If you don't cut the wire completely, you may need to apply orthodontic wax to the back of the wire.
Tips
- Always tell your treating orthodontist about any problems with your braces. Most of these situations won't require an immediate fix, but the fix itself can take a while. Therefore let the orthodontist know what type of repair you will need so that the doctor can make time for your next appointment.
- If you experience toothache or severe discomfort associated with these repairs, notify your orthodontist immediately. There may be an underlying issue unrelated to the wire issue that needs to be addressed.
- Damage to the wires and irritation are normal with braces. Don't panic if something falls off your braces. This often happens for a variety of reasons. Just call your orthodontist and tell them what's going on. The doctor will tell you how soon you need to go for a check-up to repair the damage.
- Use a numbing cream and apply it to the inside of your mouth to prevent the wire from hurting you. Or use braces wax to cover the wires/brackets to prevent them from hurting the inside of your mouth.
