Is It Possible to Swallow the Wire From Your Braces?

Fortunately, swallowing the wire or a bracket from your braces rarely happens. However, you may have considered the possibility of swallowing a braces wire or what happens to a wire after you swallow it. Additionally, you may also want to know if swallowing a wire is an emergency. Continue reading to learn the answers to these questions about one of the possible complications with traditional metal braces.

To learn more about braces and other cosmetic procedures, schedule an appointment with Trident General Dentistry.

How Can You Swallow Part Of Your Braces?

Traditional braces consist of metal brackets, bands, and wires. Besides these metal parts, you may have elastic and rubber components. In other words, you have many small pieces of various dental materials in your mouth. The various parts of your braces are bonded or secured carefully in place to precisely move your teeth with minimal risk of problems. Still, swallowing a bracket or wire can cause concern to many who wear braces. Although the risk of this occurrence is minimal, there are reasons you can swallow one of the components to traditional braces, such as:

Premature weakening of braces glue. Each bracket is meticulously glued in place to the side of your teeth. This semi-permanent glue typically keeps the bracket attached as long as you wear braces. However, you can swallow a detached bracket if the glue weakens and loses its bond to the tooth. It is important to see your dentist if you notice a loose bracket. Attempts to repair the bracket can make the situation worse and cause damage to your teeth and gums.
Trauma to your mouth. You can dislodge a bracket or wire in an automobile accident, from falling, or an athletic collision. These traumatic events can result in swallowing a small portion of the entire bracket or wire.
Chewing food. You can dislodge, damage, or loosen your braces while eating certain foods. This usually occurs when eating hard, crunchy, or sticky foods.
Dental habits. Chewing your fingernails, using your teeth to open bottles, or grinding your teeth while you sleep can damage your braces and increase the risk of swallowing a wire.

What To Do If You Swallow The Wire From Your Braces

In most cases, the dislodged wire or bracket causes no problem after you swallow it. Since the damaged part of your braces is rarely very sharp, it can move through your digestive tract without any complications. It is also helpful that your digestive tract is acidic enough to dissolve small metal particles in a short time. Any parts that remain undissolved pass through your intestines within a day or so. You can help this process by eating foods high in fiber.

Is Swallowing Part Of Your Braces An Emergency?

You do not need to panic after swallowing part of your braces. However, you may need to seek immediate medical attention if:

You have any problems breathing or if you experience pain in your chest.
You have any stomach pain or digestion issues.

Schedule an Appointment

Fortunately, swallowing part of your braces is a rare dental emergency. However, some dental emergencies are common, such as a toothache, broken filling, chipped tooth, swollen gums, or knocked out tooth. Trident General Dentistry provides services to treat these and other conditions.