Most people notice it while eating or brushing: a sharp prick on the inside of the cheek every time they talk or chew. That is usually the end of the archwire that has slid out past the last brace, or a section that has snapped. It feels urgent, but it can almost always be made comfortable at home with a little orthodontic wax, then repaired at a normal appointment within a few days.
Work out which kind of wire problem you have
Look in a mirror with good light, or ask someone to have a look. Three things commonly happen. The wire can drift along the brackets so that one end sticks out behind the back tooth. A thin wire can fracture, often between two brackets, leaving two loose ends. Or a bracket can let go of the tooth, which frees up a length of wire that then flexes into the cheek. Knowing which one it is helps you describe it when you call, and tells the person who fitted your braces how long to book you in for.
A fine steel ligature (the small twisted tie some braces use instead of coloured elastics) can also unwind and poke out. These are tiny and can usually be pushed flat against the bracket with a cotton bud.
Wax solves most of it
Orthodontic wax is the first thing to reach for. Dry the wire end with a tissue, because wax will not stick to wet metal. Pinch off a piece about the size of a small pea, roll it between clean fingers to soften it, and press it firmly over the sharp point so it forms a smooth dome. Replace it after meals and whenever it falls off.
If the end has simply slid sideways, you can sometimes ease it back towards the brace using the clean rubber end of a pencil or a cotton bud. Go slowly. If it does not move easily, stop and use wax instead, because forcing a wire can bend it and alter the pressure it puts on the teeth.
Clipping the wire is a last resort
Trimming a wire at home is rarely needed and should only be considered when a long, loose length is digging in, wax will not hold, and you cannot get professional help soon. If it has to be done, sterilise a pair of small nail clippers with alcohol, fold a tissue or piece of gauze around the wire so the cut piece is caught rather than dropped into the throat, and cut close to the last secure bracket. Keep the offcut and bring it to your appointment.
Never try to pull a wire out of the brackets, bend it with pliers or prise off a bracket. These can loosen other parts of the appliance or damage the enamel.
If a piece is swallowed or breathed in
A small fragment that is swallowed and causes no symptoms will usually pass through the gut, but call your dentist or GP for advice. Coughing, choking, wheezing, chest pain or difficulty breathing after a piece goes missing is different: it may have been inhaled, and that needs urgent medical care, so go to an emergency department or call 000.
Settling a sore cheek
A wire that has rubbed for a day or two can leave a raw patch or an ulcer. Rinsing several times a day with half a teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water keeps it clean, and our article on salt water rinses explains why this helps. An anaesthetic mouth gel from the pharmacy can make meals easier. Choose soft food for a few days and avoid anything hard, sticky or chewy, which can bend the wire further. Most rubbing ulcers heal within one to two weeks once the cause is covered; if one has not healed within three weeks, read our guide to mouth ulcers and when to worry and have it checked.
Why a repair should not wait too long
Even when wax has made things comfortable, a broken or displaced wire is no longer applying the planned force to the teeth. Left for weeks, teeth may stop moving as intended, or drift, which can add time to treatment. Contact the practice that fitted your braces, describe what you can see, and they will tell you how soon you need to come in. If you also wear a removable appliance at night, our guide to retainer types and wear time covers how to look after it.
Same-day help is worth seeking if a large section of wire is loose and cannot be covered, there is bleeding that does not settle with pressure, or there has been a knock to the face. Our page on what to do in a dental emergency sets out the steps for other urgent problems, and if you are still deciding how to straighten your teeth, see ways to straighten crooked teeth.
If you need a dental check in the meantime, our team can see you and advise on next steps. You can view our current offers or read more about urgent dental care.
This article is general information and not a substitute for an individual dental assessment.
