Man from Pampanga accidentally swallows wire from braces

A man from Mabalacat, Pampanga accidentally swallowed one of the wires from his braces after eating rice cake. 

As seen on Kuya Kim's report on "24 Oras," Vincent John Jocson was eating a post-workout snack when it happened.

"Naramdaman ko 'yung wire ng brace ko, nawawala na. Pagkatapos ko lumunok, naramdaman ko may tumutusok dito. Masakit siya, parang natinik ka," Vincent said.

"Tinry kong tingnan sa salamin. Hindi ko na siya mahanap kasi feel ko malalim na siya. Tinry kong magsuka, wala din," he added.

Vincent woke his parents up and his mother told him that he needed to go to the emergency room, where it was confirmed that he had swallowed his braces wire.

After scheduling with an ear, nose, and throat doctor, Vincent was not allowed to eat since early morning.

Dr. Gamaliel Urbi, President-elect of the International Association for Orthodontics said what happened to Vincent was truly dangerous and is classified as a rare occurrence.

"I would say one-percent or maybe less than one-percent," he said.

"If it's lengthy, about one inch or more, there is a good chance it might get dislodged or it might get stuck inside," Dr. Urbi added.

On the afternoon of April 1, Vincent underwent a procedure to remove the wire stuck in his throat.

"Nilagyan nila ako tubo sa bibig. Parang may camera siya and then may pang-ipit sila pangkuha," he said.

"Medyo mahirap daw siyang hanapin pero eventually nahanap naman nila, nasa dulo na daw siya ng dila ko," Vincent added.

He also said that the wire he swallowed was almost an inch and a half.

"Nung nahanap nila, OK na. Nireseta na lang nila ako ng gamot and then nag-stay ako ng overnight dun sa hospital," Vincent said.

"Nagpunta ako sa dentist ko. Pinatanggal ko 'yung extra wires ko dito sa dulo para hindi na siya maging risk."

According to Kuya Kim, braces used today are made of brackets stuck to the teeth, with archwire or metal wire connected to the brackets and elastic bands.

To prevent the brackets and wires from getting broken, Urbi said people with braces need to avoid certain food, especially hard food.

"Don't eat it directly. Bite sizes and then slowly swallow it," he said.

When wires are attached to braces, it adds pressure to the teeth. This pressure results in the teeth moving inside the gums.

Every time braces get adjusted, the teeth get moved until it is in the right position. The process often lasts for one to three years, depending on the state of the teeth. —Nika Roque/MGP, GMA News