children orthodontic care

Child Loses or Breaks Their Braces
 by Dr. Adriana Da Silveira

5 Smart Steps to Take If Your Child Loses or Breaks Their Braces

Child Loses or Breaks Their Braces? Discover 5 smart steps to manage orthodontic emergencies and keep your child’s smile on track — from expert tips to quick fixes. – Bee Cave Orthodontics – Austin, Texas

 

Orthodontic treatment is a big commitment — and when your child loses or breaks part of their braces, it can be stressful. But don’t worry! With the right steps, you can avoid complications, reduce discomfort, and get your child’s treatment back on track quickly. Here’s what you need to know and do.

1. Stay Calm and Reassure Your Child

First and foremost, stay calm. Kids often feel nervous or guilty when something goes wrong with their braces. They might worry about getting in trouble, or be uncomfortable if there’s a wire poking their mouth. Reassure them that accidents happen, and this is something their orthodontist deals with all the time.

Let your child know it’s going to be okay, and that you’ll take care of it together. This helps reduce anxiety and makes it easier to move to the next step.

2. Assess the Damage

Take a close look at what happened. Here are a few common scenarios:

  • Loose or missing bracket – The small square glued to the tooth may have detached.

  • Broken wire – The archwire could be snapped or poking out.

  • Loose bands or spacers – Metal rings around molars or rubber separators may shift.

  • Missing aligner (Invisalign®) – Your child lost or damaged their clear aligner tray.

Make a note of exactly what seems broken or missing. If you’re unsure, take a photo and send it to your orthodontist’s office for a quick assessment.

3. Call Your Orthodontist as Soon as Possible

Even if the damage seems minor, it’s important to contact your orthodontist immediately. Braces and aligners work on precise timing — even small delays can affect the overall progress of treatment.

At our office, we encourage parents to call or text us with details and photos. We’ll assess how urgent the issue is and schedule a repair appointment if necessary. In many cases, we can guide you through a short-term solution to keep your child comfortable until the visit.

Pro tip: Save your orthodontist’s number in your phone and keep it handy in case of emergencies.

4. Apply a Temporary Fix if Needed

While you wait for your orthodontist appointment, there are a few things you can do at home to ease your child’s discomfort:

  • Use orthodontic wax – If a wire is poking or a bracket is rubbing the inside of the mouth, cover it with orthodontic wax (most kids get a small pack at the start of treatment).

  • Trim a long wire – If a wire is dangerously long and causing pain, use a sterilized nail clipper or tweezers to gently trim the excess, but only if you feel confident.

  • Rinse with warm salt water – This can help soothe irritated gums or cheeks.

If your child uses Invisalign and loses an aligner:

  • If it’s near the end of the wear cycle, they may be able to move on to the next tray.

  • If it’s early in the wear cycle, your orthodontist may recommend going back to the previous tray or ordering a replacement.

5. Prevent Future Issues With Smart Habits

The best way to deal with a broken appliance is to avoid it in the first place. Here are a few habits to reinforce with your child:

  • Avoid sticky, hard, or chewy foods like gum, popcorn, and candy.

  • Don’t use teeth as tools (no opening packages or biting pens).

  • Store aligners in their case — not in napkins or pockets, which are easy to throw away.

  • Wear a mouthguard during sports to prevent impact damage.

Also, encourage your child to let you know right away if something feels wrong — small discomforts can quickly turn into bigger problems if ignored.

You’ve Got This! Schedule a Free Consultation now!

Orthodontic mishaps are part of the journey — and they’re totally manageable. By staying calm, acting quickly, and working closely with your orthodontist, you can help your child stay on track with their smile transformation.

At our office, we’re here to support families through every step — even the unexpected ones.

If your child has an issue with their braces or aligners, don’t hesitate to reach out.

We’ll get things fixed fast and gently, with care tailored to your child’s needs.

  1. Click here to Schedule a Free Consultation now!
  2. Want to get to know us a little better? Check out our YouTube Videos!
in Blog / Dental 0 comments
Child Might Need Braces
 by Dr. Adriana Da Silveira

7 Key Signs Your Child Might Need Braces (And How to Address Them)

Child Might Need Braces? Discover 7 key signs to watch for and learn about modern treatment options like Invisalign First to help your child achieve a healthy, confident smile. – Bee Cave Orthodontics – Austin, Texas

When it comes to your child’s health, early detection often makes all the difference — and that includes orthodontic care.

Recognizing the early signs that your child might need braces can lead to simpler, faster, and more effective treatment options. Here’s what you should look for and how modern orthodontic solutions, like Invisalign First, can help.

1. Crooked or Crowded Teeth

One of the most obvious signs is visible misalignment. If your child’s teeth overlap, twist, or seem crammed together without enough space, it could indicate that their jaw is too small to accommodate all of their permanent teeth. Early intervention can help guide proper jaw development, potentially avoiding more complex procedures later on.

Treatment options:

  • Traditional braces

  • Invisalign First for a more discreet, comfortable solution for younger patients

2. Early or Late Loss of Baby Teeth

The timing of losing baby teeth matters more than many parents realize. If your child loses baby teeth much earlier or later than peers, it could disrupt how permanent teeth emerge, leading to alignment problems.

Treatment options:

  • Space maintainers to hold the correct position for permanent teeth

  • Early orthodontic evaluation to monitor and guide development

3. Difficulty Biting or Chewing

If your child struggles to bite into foods like sandwiches, apples, or even soft foods, it might signal bite issues such as overbite, underbite, or crossbite. Difficulty chewing can affect nutrition, speech, and even self-confidence.

Treatment options:

  • Braces to correct bite alignment

  • Invisalign First for mild to moderate bite corrections

4. Mouth Breathing and Snoring

Frequent mouth breathing and snoring, especially if paired with restless sleep, can be signs of jaw structure issues. A narrow palate or improper jaw alignment can contribute to breathing difficulties, affecting overall health and development.

Treatment options:

  • Palatal expanders to widen the upper jaw

  • Early intervention with orthodontic appliances to improve airway space

5. Prolonged Thumb Sucking or Pacifier Use

If your child continues thumb-sucking or using a pacifier beyond age four, it can affect the way their teeth and jaw develop. Prolonged habits may cause open bites, where the upper and lower teeth don’t meet properly.

Treatment options:

  • Habit-breaking appliances

  • Orthodontic evaluation to assess and correct the impact on tooth alignment

6. Speech Difficulties

Speech problems like lisps, difficulty pronouncing certain letters, or unclear speech can sometimes be linked to orthodontic issues. Misaligned teeth or jaws can affect tongue placement and the way sounds are produced.

Treatment options:

  • Orthodontic appliances to adjust jaw and teeth positioning

  • Collaboration with a speech therapist if necessary

7. Jaw Shifting, Clicking, or Popping

If you notice your child’s jaw shifting to one side when opening or closing, or hear clicking or popping sounds, this could indicate a jaw misalignment or developing TMJ (temporomandibular joint) problems.

Treatment options:

  • Braces or Invisalign First to correct jaw positioning

  • Special orthodontic appliances to guide proper joint function

Why Early Treatment Matters

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. Even if braces aren’t immediately needed, early check-ups allow orthodontists to monitor growth patterns and intervene at the perfect time if necessary.

Modern treatments like Invisalign First are game-changers for young patients. Invisalign First is specifically designed for children aged 6-10, offering a comfortable, removable, and nearly invisible alternative to traditional braces. It helps address issues like crowding, spacing, and narrow dental arches, all while being easy for kids to manage — and for parents to love.

Final Thoughts

Spotting the early signs that your child might need braces is crucial for setting them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles. If you recognize any of these seven signs, don’t wait — schedule an orthodontic consultation. With options like traditional braces and innovative solutions like Invisalign First, your child can receive customized care that’s as gentle and effective as possible.

A bright, confident smile starts with early attention and expert guidance!

Schedule a Free Consultation now!

  1. Click here to Schedule a Free Consultation now!
  2. Want to get to know us a little better? Check out our YouTube Videos!
in Blog / Dental 0 comments