A bent braces wire is a common occurrence that causes immediate discomfort by poking the soft tissues of the mouth, such as the cheeks, gums, or tongue. This bending or shifting happens when the archwire, which connects all the brackets, slides or gets distorted due to external forces. Understanding how to manage this issue temporarily is important for comfort while you wait for professional repair.
First Aid for Immediate Discomfort
The first step in addressing a bent wire is to protect the delicate tissues inside your mouth from irritation. Orthodontic wax is the primary tool for this purpose, creating a smooth barrier over the sharp metal. To apply the wax effectively, first dry the area around the wire using a cotton swab or clean tissue to ensure proper adhesion. Roll a pea-sized piece of wax to soften it, then press it firmly over the offending section of the wire and mold it into place.
Protecting your mouth also involves soothing any existing cuts or sores. Rinsing with a warm salt water solution helps to cleanse and calm irritated tissue. To make this rinse, dissolve about half a teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water and gently swish the solution around your mouth. For general soreness, over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, can be taken according to package directions to reduce discomfort until the wire is addressed.
Safely Repositioning or Clipping the Wire
If the protruding wire is simply the archwire sliding out of the molar tube at the back of the mouth, you may be able to gently reposition it. Using a clean cotton swab or the clean eraser end of a pencil, try to push the end of the wire back toward the tooth and away from the cheek. This action must be gentle to avoid causing further damage to the bracket or the wire’s structure. Do not attempt to bend the wire with your fingers or forcibly manipulate it, as this can distort the tension and alignment of the system.
If the wire is bent or poking in a way that cannot be tucked, and the discomfort is severe, clipping the wire may be necessary as a last resort. This should only be attempted if the wire is easily accessible and you have sterilized nail clippers or wire cutters. The goal is to clip the wire behind the last securely attached bracket, removing the sharp, protruding end.
Be cautious during this process, using a mirror and bright light to ensure you do not cut soft tissues or accidentally swallow the clipped piece of wire. Immediately after clipping, cover the newly cut end with a small amount of orthodontic wax to smooth any remaining sharp edges. This temporary fix is not a substitute for professional care, as the wire tension remains compromised and must be corrected by an orthodontist.
Assessing Severity and Scheduling the Repair
After managing the immediate discomfort, assess the severity of the damage to determine the urgency of professional intervention. A minor wire slide that is comfortably covered with wax may be able to wait a few days until a scheduled appointment. However, a wire causing severe pain, bleeding, or making it impossible to eat requires an emergency call to the orthodontist. Substantial contortion of the archwire can impede the intended tooth movement and may lead to prolonged treatment time if not addressed quickly.
When contacting the orthodontic office, provide specific details about the issue, including which wire is affected, where the bend or break occurred, and what steps you have taken for temporary relief. This information allows the staff to schedule the appropriate time for the repair. Professional repair is necessary because only the orthodontist has the specialized tools to adjust the wire tension, which is calculated to exert precise forces on the teeth.
Delaying the repair of a bent wire can have consequences beyond temporary discomfort. A damaged wire ceases to apply the correct pressure, allowing teeth to shift in unintended directions and potentially undoing weeks of progress. Therefore, even after a successful at-home patch, scheduling a follow-up visit is necessary to ensure the integrity of your treatment plan.
Preventing Future Wire Bends
Preventing future incidents involves modifying certain habits and being mindful of diet. Wires often bend or break due to excessive force applied during chewing, so avoiding hard, crunchy, and sticky foods is a fundamental precaution. This includes steering clear of items such as nuts, hard candies, popcorn kernels, and ice, which can exert pressure on the hardware.
Chewy foods like bagels, thick pizza crusts, and sticky caramels should also be avoided, as they can pull on the wires and brackets, causing them to loosen or shift. Focus on softer foods and cut hard fruits and vegetables, like apples and carrots, into small pieces before eating them. Beyond dietary changes, modify oral habits such as chewing on pens, biting fingernails, or clinching your jaw, as these actions can damage the wires. If you participate in contact sports, wearing a protective mouthguard is mandatory to shield your braces from impact.