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Orthodontic Emergencies: Tips on what to do!

Orthodontic Emergencies
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Occasionally, some patients will experience an orthodontic emergency while in treatment. The result? Appliances might be broken or bent during your orthodontic care. If there are any disturbances, such as loose bands, loose brackets, broken or poking wires, please call our office and we will bring you in as soon as possible. In the meantime, here are some helpful hints to help prevent emergencies and remedy any emergencies you may encounter at home until our office can see you.

Avoid non-braces friendly meals: While you are wearing braces, please avoid eating hard foods, sticky foods and foods high in sugar. Hard foods can break or damage the wires and brackets, and sticky foods (such as candy, taffy, popcorn, or nuts) can get caught between the wires and brackets.

If your teeth or gums are sore after an appointment: You may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers to alleviate any discomfort. A warm washcloth, heating pad or warm salt water rinse may also reduce any soreness in your jaws.

Use a Mouthguard: Always wear a mouthguard when playing sports while you’re in orthodontic treatment.

Lost separator: Contact our office to see if it needs to be replaced. Many patients naturally lose separators during treatment, and it is rarely a cause for concern.

Lost aligner attachment: Call our office during patient hours when you notice a lost aligner attachment. We will schedule an appointment to have it replaced, if indicated.

Wire Irritation: If a tie wire is irritating your mouth, cover it with beeswax or tuck it under the arch wire with a blunt object like a pencil eraser or Q-tip. A loose band or bracket can generally be left in place until seen in our office.

Loose or Broken Bracket: Call our office during patient hours when you notice a loose band or bracket. We will schedule you to reattach the loose appliance, if indicated. If irritation has occurred due to a broken or poking archwire it can often be bent in with a pencil eraser or cut with sterilized nail clippers.

Although orthodontic emergencies are rare, our team is there for you every step of the way. Call us at: (610) 722-9790.