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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

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Original poster

Broken Braces

22 replies

MotherOfOlafs · 14/11/2023 11:47

Just got back from DDs second checkup for her braces, she’s been wearing them for about six months now. Once again the orthodontist has found lots of breakages (this time 6 of the squares are broken, last time 5). DD is being very careful with how and what she eats after being given strict instructions when she first had them put on, it’s confusing on how it’s happened? The orthodontist seemed annoyed I hadn’t brought DD in sooner to get them realigned but I had no idea! I also asked if DD would feel them being broken but orthodontist said no??
Is there any advice on what DD can do differently to stop this happening again? She already cuts up her food into small pieces, and doesn’t eat what she isn’t supposed to so I’m at a loss!

OP posts:

Quickredfox · 14/11/2023 11:49

Any chance she grinds her teeth in her sleep?

Moominmoko · 14/11/2023 11:53

That is odd! Mine has had hers for over a year and has had only 3 or 4 come off in the whole time. She isn't even particularly careful about what she eats so it sounds like your DD is taking better care of them than mine is!

Could it be that the orthodontist is trying to get them to do too much too soon so they are under so much tension they pop off easily?

Original poster

MotherOfOlafs · 14/11/2023 12:15

Possibly? Although she’s had a regular six month check up at the dentist as well and no one has mentioned that she might

OP posts:

Original poster

MotherOfOlafs · 14/11/2023 12:16

Sorry that was in reply to Quickredfox I’m new to posting

OP posts:

Original poster

MotherOfOlafs · 14/11/2023 12:18

Moominmoko · 14/11/2023 11:53

Could it be that the orthodontist is trying to get them to do too much too soon so they are under so much tension they pop off easily?

Could be? They seemed super upset by it all and if it is down to DD I’ve no idea what to do to stop it happening

OP posts:

brokenhearted2 · 14/11/2023 12:19

I'm confused that the Ortho says your dc wouldn't be able to feel they were broken and I'm amazed your dc can't tell. It's so obvious when they are broken as the wire is loose and/or there is a metal thing moving around

Original poster

MotherOfOlafs · 14/11/2023 12:29

brokenhearted2 · 14/11/2023 12:19

That’s what I thought too but I’m not sure of the ins and outs of having braces, neither myself nor her father or either of our families have had them

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Quickredfox · 14/11/2023 12:40

Dentists could only tell I grind my teeth by looking at them in my late thirties as I had damaged them by that point, though in retrospect I had the symptoms in my teens. You could run through the symptom list with her.

Madcats · 14/11/2023 12:56

DD is 5 months in to top and bottom NHS train tracks and bands, without incident.

She would definitely spot if something was moving like it didn't! Maybe buy your DD a small mirror like dentists use?

How is your DD brushing her teeth? DD cleans her teeth in front of a mirror with a fat teepee or single tufted brush.

I don't think DD has changed what she eats massively, but we keep her away from chunky burgers/crusty baguettes/chewy sweets/unsliced apple.

Unless you want to add months to the treatment plan I think this might be one of those occasions where you check them yourself each week.

daylightplease · 14/11/2023 13:09

I'm struggling to understand how your dd doesn't recognize that her braces are broken.
It really is very obvious.
Does she not want to do extra ortho visits, is she scared of getting into trouble?
Are there any kind additional needs at play?

I agree that you may just need to check them yourself weekly to prevent this happening again.

daylightplease · 14/11/2023 13:13

Are the brackets becoming disconnected from the teeth?
Or are bits of the brackets getting broken but remaining attached to teeth?
Is the wire becoming disconnected from the brackets?
I'm not sure reading your post what exactly is happening?

greenacrylicpaint · 14/11/2023 13:16

is she using a narrow toothbrush?
maybe she needs an appointment with the hygienist to show her how to brush properly and what equipment to use.

PhantomErik · 14/11/2023 13:24

DD14 has had a brace for almost a year & so far hasn't had any break.

When her bottom blocks were put on, the whole lot came loose on the way home from the orthodontist & we had to go back the following day. They said it could have been an adhesive failure or that she had bitten down too hard before they were set. She hadn't bitten down at all so assume it must have been the glue/cement they used.

I had a brace for over 2 years & never had anything break. I had one block come off but that was it.

Original poster

MotherOfOlafs · 21/11/2023 12:13

Sorry for delay in replying. Quite a few of the blocks have become unstuck, according to the orthodontist this equates to being broken. DD has all the bits and bobs (brace wax, single tuft brush, tiny mirror to have a proper up-close look, etc). She wouldn’t get in trouble if they were broken. And also as I’ve said the dentist said she wouldn’t be able to tell herself that they were broken or damaged.
Im sure I sound very dense but honestly have no knowledge about how braces work and I’m just very puzzled. Next appointment is in Feb and I’m at a complete loss on what to do if there is more breakages, do I just say let’s cut our losses and take them off if they’re not actually doing what they’re supposed to do?!?

OP posts:

mugofstew · 21/11/2023 12:34

I don't understand how your dd wouldn't recognize that the braces were unstuck.
However you can check them once a week for her and as soon as you see any more unstuck then immediately contact orthodontist to get them stuck back on.
It may just have been a bad batch of adhesive, do they call it cement?

missjeanbrodiee · 21/11/2023 12:43

I am an adult with braces and have broken them twice. She can definitely feel when they’re off because it’s loose metal flapping about in your mouth and the brackets side up and down along the wire.

BlackHillsofDakota · 27/11/2023 16:25

My daughter has the same braces. One block came unstuck and she knew straight away. If four or five have come off I cant see how your daughter wouldn't know.

MabelMaybe · 27/11/2023 16:31

If you're with the NHS you can only have broken blocks glued back on twice. DS has NHS braces and has twice in a year found one block off. We're just hopeful he doesn't get any more as my understanding is that they'll just remove the braces. He did know they'd gone though, almost immediately, but we're sure one was linked to a tight wire that was pulled when a tooth moved.

I wonder if they use different adhesive now. I had train track braces 30 years ago and had no blocks come off that I remember. DS' feel much less robust.

MistyBean · 27/11/2023 16:36

I had braces a few years ago. I definitely knew when one of the brackets was broken as it was no longer stuck on my tooth. I don't understand why the dentist would say your can't tell? Also mine definitely came off as it was under too much pressure, and not because of anything I did. I'd definitely be looking into reviews of your orthodontist as it all doesn't sound right to me.

Oblomov23 · 27/11/2023 17:39

I agree. This didn't sound right to me. What an odd thing for the orthodontist to say!

Lougle · 27/11/2023 17:50

That is weird. DD3 had a broken brace and knew instantly. The orthodontist said it was her bite that caused it (top back teeth were biting down on the bottom brackets) and added some blue composite on her back teeth to prevent her jaws from closing fully.

35and3 · 27/11/2023 18:58

That's odd. My daughters had hers 11 months and only had one loose bracket

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