Types of Braces | Damon Braces | What It's Like With Braces | Oral Hygiene | Retainers | Emergencies
EMERGENCIES
EMERGENCY CARE
There are very few true orthodontic emergencies analogous to medical emergencies. When they occur, please call us and we will be happy to help you. Generally, please call our office when you experience severe pain or have a painful appliance problem that you can’t take care of yourself. In these instances, we’ll be able to schedule an appointment to resolve the issue.
You may be able to solve many problems temporarily until you can schedule an appointment in our office. If there’s a loose piece, put it in a plastic bag or envelope and bring it with you to your next appointment. If your braces are poking, place some wax on the piece that is sticking out. If the wire has slid to one side, you can carefully pull it back to the other side using a pair of needle-nosed pliers, sliding it back in the tube on the back tube.
After you’ve temporarily fixed your braces, it is very important that you call our office as soon as possible. Leaving damaged appliances can extend treatment. Over the phone, please let us know what happened and what you did so we can determine if you need to come in.
Soreness/Tenderness
Initially after getting your braces, you may feel some soreness or tenderness in your mouth. Your teeth will typically feel sore for a few days after getting your braces and after some adjustments. Your gums will typically feel sore for 2-3 weeks but only once, right after appliances are placed. Keep to soft foods and use wax. A warm saltwater rinse can help with sore gums. Mix 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water and rinse. For occasional pain relief, acetaminophen or ibuprofen will work.
Long-term, acetaminophen is recommended because it other over-the-counter pain medication can slow down tooth movement.
Loose Bracket
If your bracket or band is attached to the wire and is secure, leave it. Place wax if
needed for comfort. If the bracket or band is not secure and can be removed easily, place it in a plastic bag or envelope, save it and bring it to your next appointment
Loose Wire
Use a pair of tweezers or needle-nosed pliers and try to put your wire back into place. If you cannot do this, put a piece of wax on the end. If wax does not help, you can use a small nail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely attached. If the end is still sharp after your cut, place a piece of wax on it.
Poking Wire
Use a pencil erasor to push the poking wire down or place wax on it so it is no longer poking.
Sliding Wire
If the wire has slid to one side, take a pair of needle nosed-pliers and try to slide it around to the other side. Your wire will have a subtle mark to mark the middle the wire. These marks should be lined up with the middle of your two front upper or lower teeth.
There are very few true orthodontic emergencies analogous to medical emergencies. When they occur, please call us and we will be happy to help you. Generally, please call our office when you experience severe pain or have a painful appliance problem that you can’t take care of yourself. In these instances, we’ll be able to schedule an appointment to resolve the issue.
You may be able to solve many problems temporarily until you can schedule an appointment in our office. If there’s a loose piece, put it in a plastic bag or envelope and bring it with you to your next appointment. If your braces are poking, place some wax on the piece that is sticking out. If the wire has slid to one side, you can carefully pull it back to the other side using a pair of needle-nosed pliers, sliding it back in the tube on the back tube.
After you’ve temporarily fixed your braces, it is very important that you call our office as soon as possible. Leaving damaged appliances can extend treatment. Over the phone, please let us know what happened and what you did so we can determine if you need to come in.
Soreness/Tenderness
Initially after getting your braces, you may feel some soreness or tenderness in your mouth. Your teeth will typically feel sore for a few days after getting your braces and after some adjustments. Your gums will typically feel sore for 2-3 weeks but only once, right after appliances are placed. Keep to soft foods and use wax. A warm saltwater rinse can help with sore gums. Mix 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water and rinse. For occasional pain relief, acetaminophen or ibuprofen will work.
Long-term, acetaminophen is recommended because it other over-the-counter pain medication can slow down tooth movement.
Loose Bracket
If your bracket or band is attached to the wire and is secure, leave it. Place wax if
needed for comfort. If the bracket or band is not secure and can be removed easily, place it in a plastic bag or envelope, save it and bring it to your next appointment
Loose Wire
Use a pair of tweezers or needle-nosed pliers and try to put your wire back into place. If you cannot do this, put a piece of wax on the end. If wax does not help, you can use a small nail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely attached. If the end is still sharp after your cut, place a piece of wax on it.
Poking Wire
Use a pencil erasor to push the poking wire down or place wax on it so it is no longer poking.
Sliding Wire
If the wire has slid to one side, take a pair of needle nosed-pliers and try to slide it around to the other side. Your wire will have a subtle mark to mark the middle the wire. These marks should be lined up with the middle of your two front upper or lower teeth.