BrokenBracket?WhattoDoUntilYourNextVisit

If a bracket breaks, call the office and let us know, then keep it comfortable with orthodontic wax until it is fixed. At Bloom, a broken bracket is fixed at your next scheduled visit, or you can call the office to book a repair sooner.

A loose bracket is uncomfortable but rarely dangerous. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) lists it among the common issues your orthodontist needs to know about, because broken hardware can slow treatment if it is ignored.

What to Do Right Away

1. Check the bracket. If it is still on the wire, the AAO suggests gently sliding it back toward the center of the tooth.
2. Cover sharp spots with a small piece of orthodontic wax.
3. Save any loose piece in a small container and bring it to your visit.
4. Avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods until it is repaired.
5. Call the office to tell us what happened.

A Home Kit Worth Having

The AAO recommends keeping a few supplies on hand:

• Orthodontic wax for brackets or wires that rub
• Dental floss and interproximal brushes to keep cleaning around the area
• Clean tweezers to guide a loose bracket into a comfortable spot
• A warm salt water rinse for irritated cheeks

When a Broken Bracket Can Wait

The AAO explains that your orthodontist may wait to repair a bracket that is not causing discomfort or interfering with treatment, and fix it at your next appointment. That is how we handle most broken brackets at Bloom. If it is poking, painful, or affecting your bite, call us to book a repair visit.

When to Get Emergency Care

A broken bracket alone is not a medical emergency. If it happened during a fall or a hit and there is heavy bleeding, trouble breathing, a suspected broken jaw, or a knocked-out permanent tooth, the AAO says to seek emergency care first. Our guide to orthodontic emergencies covers what counts.

How to Prevent the Next One

The AAO says hard, sticky, and crunchy foods can break brackets. Cut hard foods into small pieces and skip ice, popcorn, hard candy, and sticky sweets. Our list of what you can eat with braces helps. Wear a mouthguard for sports.

Bracket Repairs at Bloom

Dr. Thao Nguyen Vu and Dr. Judy Nguyen are board-certified orthodontists who handle repairs at our Long Beach and Garden Grove offices. Call (714) 430-8454 and we will tell you whether it can wait for your next visit. Learn more about treatment on our metal braces page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a broken bracket an emergency?

Usually not. Call the office, use wax for comfort, and we will fix it at your next visit or book a repair.

Can I leave a broken bracket until my next appointment?

Often, yes, if it is not painful or affecting treatment. Call us first so we can decide together.

What if the bracket comes off completely?

Keep it in a small container, bring it with you, and call the office.

Will a broken bracket make treatment longer?

It can if it is left too long. Letting us know quickly keeps treatment on track.

Sources

• American Association of Orthodontists, What Is an Orthodontic Emergency?
• American Association of Orthodontists, Broken Brackets Don't Know It's a Holiday Break
• Bloom details: Metal braces, Contact

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Have a bracket that needs attention? Contact us to book a repair in Long Beach or Garden Grove.