The wires, brackets and other pieces of braces hardware installed in your mouth at Schouten Orthodontics have been designed to handle the simple wear and tear of daily use. When you eat very sticky or hard foods, it puts your braces at increased risk of suffering damage. This is even more likely to be an issue if you participate in rigorous athletics without the protection of a quality mouthguard.
Should you suffer an issue with any part of your braces, you should not delay in calling 801.491.9372 to seek professional care at Schouten Orthodontics. In the interim, there are a few things you can do to reduce your chances of suffering further complications.
When Dr. John R. Schouten initially installed your braces, you were given a piece of special orthodontic wax. If a sharp point is threatening your cheek or gums, you can secure it inside the wax to prevent further injury. If you don’t have the wax on hand, you might be able to improvise with a chunk of pencil eraser.
When a wire, bracket or other piece of hardware is damaged, you should avoid manipulating it or attempting to repair it yourself. Sometimes a spacer can fall out right before an upcoming adjustment session. If this happens, you should call our office for further advice. Most of the time, we will recommend scheduling an earlier adjustment.
If any part of your braces hardware is bent or damaged, you should call 801.491.9372 to seek professional attention at Schouten Orthodontics.
