While the end result is great, the process of wearing braces can sometimes be uncomfortable. Sometimes wires come loose and poke you in the side of the cheek, making eating and even talking a painful experience. Whether from something you ate or just an awkward adjustment, there are things you can do to remedy this situation before you can get to the orthodontist for a real fix.
Manual Fix: Sometimes you’re eating and all of a sudden feel a wire poking you. Take a look in the mirror. It could just be that the wire is bowing out and isn’t completely off the bracket. Try using your finger to push the wire back into place.
Cut off the End: This isn’t really recommended unless you know what you’re doing or someone with a steady hand can help. Only use a distal end wire cutter, which will hold onto the cut wire piece so it doesn’t fall into your mouth.
Bend it: Instead of cutting it, you could try gently bending the wire back into position. Use a blunted toothpick, your fingers or even an eraser head to do this. Go slowly; you don’t want the wire to snap in an inconvenient place.
Get out the Tweezers: If you have eaten something that has moved a wire out of place, get a pair of thin nosed tweezers, disinfect the tips, and try to grab the end of the loose wire. Using a magnifying mirror if possible, gently guide the wire back into the bracket slot if you can. You could also tuck the broken lace behind the arch wire or around the bracket.
Use Some Wax: Your orthodontist probably gives you a new packet of wax each time you visit. Put a small ball of that wax on the end of the wire that’s poking you so you can get some relief from the pain without doing anything to compromise your braces. Don’t have wax on hand? You can use a cotton ball or some gauze in a pinch.
Treat your Cuts and Sores: Sometimes those loose wires can really cause a bad sore or cut in your cheeks. Swish a mixture of warm water and salt in your mouth for a minute at a time, up to six times a day to help it heal.
Call the Orthodontist: Even if the broken wire isn’t hurting you, you should still call for an appointment to be seen by the orthodontist. A broken or protruding wire means something’s not working right; therefore, your teeth could shift in a way that could alter your treatment schedule. If you are in pain from a wire poking you, call your orthodontist’s after-hours or weekend service to be seen as soon as possible. If you are not in pain but a wire is still loose, call for the next available appointment during regular business hours.
Call Drs. Savage, Sabol and Visser at one of our five convenient locations to book your appointment.
