Swallowing a small piece of orthodontic hardware, such as a ligature wire or a trimmed archwire fragment, is usually an accidental ingestion during eating or sleeping. While the event can cause immediate concern, the small, smooth nature of most orthodontic wires means they typically pass through the body without issue. Understanding the steps to take and the body’s natural processes is important.
Immediate Steps After Swallowing
The first and most important reaction is to remain calm and assess your breathing. You must quickly confirm that the wire was swallowed and not accidentally inhaled, or aspirated, into the lungs. Signs of aspiration include sudden, persistent coughing, wheezing, or difficulty drawing a full breath, which necessitates immediate emergency medical attention.
If you are breathing normally, the next step is to avoid any action that could cause further injury, such as attempting to induce vomiting. Forcing the wire back up can cause more damage to the delicate lining of the esophagus. Immediately contact your orthodontist or dentist to inform them of the incident and schedule an urgent check-up.
Your orthodontist needs to inspect your remaining braces hardware to ensure the loss of the wire does not compromise your treatment plan or leave sharp edges behind. This check-up ensures the structural integrity of your appliance is maintained. The loss of a wire segment may alter the force dynamics on your teeth, requiring prompt adjustment.
How the Wire Passes Through the Digestive System
Once the wire passes the throat, it enters the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where it is recognized as a foreign object. The typical journey begins in the esophagus and stomach before moving into the small and large intestines. The primary mechanism for moving the wire is peristalsis, the involuntary, wave-like muscle contractions of the GI tract.
The wire is made from medical-grade stainless steel or nickel-titanium alloy, materials that stomach acid cannot dissolve. The object maintains its structural integrity as it travels through your system. The vast majority of small foreign body ingestions pass through the GI tract spontaneously and without complication.
The transit time can vary widely between individuals, but the wire is typically excreted in a bowel movement within a few days. Your orthodontist or doctor may advise you to monitor your stool to confirm the wire has successfully passed. This natural, uneventful passage is the expected outcome for small, smooth objects.
Recognizing the Need for Emergency Care
Although the vast majority of wires pass harmlessly, rare instances require immediate medical intervention due to complications like obstruction or perforation of the GI tract. Recognizing the acute warning signs is important to ensure swift treatment.
Seek emergency care if you experience symptoms indicating a potential obstruction, such as severe, localized abdominal pain, cramping, or persistent vomiting. The inability to pass gas or have a bowel movement after a day or two can also signify that the wire has become lodged somewhere in the intestines. These symptoms suggest the normal flow of digestive contents has been blocked.
Signs of a possible perforation, where the wire has poked a hole in the lining of the GI tract, are also a medical emergency. These symptoms include a sharp, sudden onset of abdominal pain, a high fever, or blood visible in your stool. Any symptom suggesting the wire is causing internal damage must prompt an immediate visit to the emergency room for imaging and possible removal.