Is it okay to swallow braces? How should it be handled?

During the orthodontic braces process, swallowing braces is not a rare incident and causes a lot of anxiety for the patient. This raises the question of whether swallowing braces is dangerous and how it should be handled to avoid potential risks. To limit unwanted risks, it is necessary to understand timely and accurate measures when encountering this situation.

Is it okay to swallow braces?

According to experts, swallowing brackets during braces not only causes anxiety but can also lead to serious consequences for health and orthodontic progress. Below are some harmful effects that can occur if you accidentally swallow braces:

Swelling and inflammation of the throat: When braces are swallowed, they can rub against the walls of the throat, causing scratches, bleeding and tearing of the mucosa. This allows bacteria to invade, leading to infection and discomfort in the throat.

Stomach pain: Braces are made from hard and durable materials, suitable for teeth but not suitable for the digestive system. When swallowed, braces can cause indigestion and puncture the stomach wall, causing damage and pain.

Intestinal damage: If the brace cannot be digested in the stomach, it will move to the intestines, potentially causing damage or perforation to the intestines. This can lead to internal bleeding and is a serious threat to your health.

Impact on the braces process: Falling braces not only interrupts the braces process but also forces the patient to go to the dentist to fix the problem. Delay in reattaching braces can affect the progress of tooth movement, prolong treatment time and cause additional inconvenience to the patient.

How to handle swallowing braces

When accidentally swallowing braces, the most important thing is to stay calm. Avoid grabbing your throat to vomit, as this can cause further damage to the oral cavity and stomach.

Check the condition of the appliance on the teeth: Clearly determine the number of braces that have been swallowed. If the bracket falls out, clean it and bring it back to the dentist for a check-up.

Contact your doctor Immediately: contact your doctor to make an appointment to reattach the braces and adjust them as soon as possible. This helps ensure the tooth movement process is not interrupted and avoids misalignments.

Adjust your diet: During the waiting period, you should add lots of fresh vegetables and fruits and drink plenty of water. This helps limit the collision of braces with the stomach and increases the ability to eliminate braces through the excretory system, minimizing damage.

Go to the hospital for a check-up:  To ensure safety, you should go to the hospital for a doctor to examine you, take X-rays and perform an endoscopy if necessary. This helps determine whether the braces have been removed or not. If the braces are still in the abdomen, the doctor will take appropriate measures to remove them, preventing serious harm to health.

Hopefully the above article has brought you useful information. During the braces process, falling braces is inevitable. Therefore, you should not choose tough, hard foods to protect your braces.

Read more: 4 things to know before getting braces

For dental checkup & consultation with dentist at The East Rose Dental

• Click here to book an appointment online directly : https://eastrosedental.com/en/contact.html
• SMS, Viber, Zalo, Whats App, Skype: +84 90 8 321 455
• Hotline: (+84)908 321 455 - (+84)931 857 885

The East Rose Dental – Since 2000 – Top 2nd - All On 4 Vietnam

➮ Clinic District 2:  166 Dong Van Cong, Thanh My Loi Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City (adjacent to Vista Verde apartment).
➮ Clinic District 1: 30-36, 2nd floor Phan Boi Chau, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City (at the East Gate of Ben Thanh Market).

• Website: https://www.eastrosedental.com
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theeastrosedental1
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeastrosedentalclinic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nhakhoatheeastrosedental3475
• Fanpage FB: https://www.facebook.com/dentalclinichcmc