If you have braces, you may experience loose wire at some point. Rest assured that this is very common and no reason to worry. Many times, you can fix the wire at home and keep your braces in good shape until you can make it to your orthodontist’s office. Here’s what Dr. Gladwell recommends if your wires do become loose.
Bend the Wire
If your wire is out of position, gently bend the wire in order to push it back in place with your finger. If this doesn’t work, use a small tool like tweezers or a toothpick. Whatever you do, be careful so you don’t poke your gums.
Keep Your Mouth Comfortable
If you can’t get the wire back in place, your goal should be to ensure you’re comfortable until you can make it to the dentist. You can place some dental wax, gauze, or a cotton ball over the wire. This will create a barrier between the wire and the inside of your cheek.
Make an Appointment
Visit your orthodontist as soon as you can so that they can take a look at your loose wire and push it back in place if you were not able to on your own.
There are some things you can do to prevent loose brackets. Try to stay away from hard, sticky, chewy, and crunchy foods as these almost always cause loose brackets. Also, if you play sports, wear a mouthguard so that your mouth doesn’t get struck. This is particularly important if you play contact sports like football or baseball.
Contact Gladwell Orthodontics
Loose wires are a common occurrence for Gladwell Orthodontics patients. If you have a loose wire, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at Gladwell Orthodontics. Call us today at (919) 453-6325. We look forward to hearing from you!
