Braces Problems

Dental braces can be damaged if proper care is not taken. Damaged braces mean extra cost to replace/repair damaged components and additional treatment time.

• Teeth movement may cause a displacement of the end of the arch wire, which might cause serious irritation to mouth tissues.
• Chewing gum and certain sticky or hard foods, such as raw carrots, should be avoided because they can damage braces.
• The material used to ‘bond’ the brackets on the teeth may weaken by time and if the bracket gets under pressure they may pop off.
• Playing sports is a common cause of breakage or other damage to dental braces. A dental mouthguard must always be used during sports while wearing dental braces, to prevent damage.

If you have any problems with braces it is advisable that you contact the orthodontist for consultation. The orthodontist will arrange an appointment to replace or repair any fixed braces component.

If you are not able to visit the orthodontist immediately when you have a problem with braces, you could use the following tips to handle the problem until your appointment:

• Loose brackets. Applying a small piece of orthodontic wax on the loose bracket can temporarily hold it attached to the tooth, protecting in the same time the soft mouth tissues from being irritated by the loose bracket.
• Loose bands or spacers. If the band or spacer falls out, save it until your appointment. The orthodontist might be able to re-attach it back in place without having to replace it.
• Protruding or broken wire. Protruding or broken wires are usually the problems that cause more discomfort. A broken wire may cause severe irritation, mouth sores or trauma to the soft tissues of the mouth such as the inner cheek. You can use an eraser end of a pencil or a spoon to move the wire to a less bothersome position. If you can't move it or if it continues to poke on the cheek, apply a small amount of orthodontic wax for braces over the protruding arch wire end.

Some of the risks and possible complications of orthodontic treatment are:

• Pain and discomfort - are common for some days after first wearing dental braces, and after each appointment when the braces are adjusted. I n younger children discomfort and pain, especially when eating, can seriously affect their appetite. Eating soft foods can help by avoiding additional pressure on teeth. The orthodontist may also prescribe a pain reliever to ease the pain of dental braces.
• Tooth decay or gum disease - Dental hygiene problems – when wearing braces, the areas of the teeth and gums close or under arch wires and brackets are difficult to clean. If teeth are not cleaned carefully, food particles are trapped in these areas. This allows the accumulation of dental plaque increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. It is important to maintain proper oral hygiene by brushing and flossing thoroughly when wearing braces to prevent dental health problems.
• Teeth discoloration – sometimes mild tooth discoloration or stains may be noticed on teeth areas adjacent to brackets. After removing the dental braces teeth color in areas previously covered by the braces may not look the same with the rest of the tooth. Possible treatments include tooth whitening, tooth bonding and dental veneers.
• Allergic reactions - In rare cases some orthodontic patients may experience allergic reaction to the latex rubber in elastics or to the metal used in braces. The orthodontist should be notified immediately for any allergic symptoms that might be caused by dental braces. In such a case, latex-free elastics and alternative metals can be used. If your child has any known allergy to nickel or latex you must inform the orthodontist before starting treatment.
• Soft tissue injury and canker sores - When you wear dental braces, the inner cheeks, lips, and gums may feel sore where they contact the metal brackets and wires of dental braces. Canker sores may develop where the sensitive inner mouth tissues (mucosa) rub against the hard metal components of dental braces. In this case the orthodontist will prescribe the proper treatment to reduce the pain and irritation and help heal the canker sore. Mouth sores can be prevented by applying dental wax on brackets that come in contact with irritated tissues.
• Loose teeth - In some cases, teeth may feel loose even after the orthodontic treatment is completed. During this process of moving teeth to their correct position, the bone in the compressed side of the tooth is gradually resorbed, while on the other side new bone is created to fill the gap created by the movement of the tooth. Teeth moved during orthodontic treatment will feel loose until the new jaw bone around the tooth roots is fully created.
• Relapse - the corrected teeth may get misaligned again, after the braces are removed. This is more usual in case of bad oral habits such as pen biting, adult thumb sucking or pushing the tongue against the teeth. The changes in the mouth due to the eruption of wisdom teeth may also affect the results of an orthodontic treatment.

The cost of orthodontic treatment can be significant and many patients may not afford it if they are not covered by their dental insurance. Learn how to choose a dental insurance plan that will provide the best dental treatment to you and your family.