Emergencies
Orthodontic emergencies do occur occasionally and, although they may be a little upsetting for the patient and parents, they are actually fairly simple to treat. For some emergencies, you may need to contact your orthodontist.
Wire Ligatures Loose and Poking
If a wire ligature comes loose, and you feel uncomfortable, simply remove it with sterile tweezers. If the wire ligature is sticking out into the lip but is not loose, it may be bent back down using the eraser end of a pencil to eliminate the irritation. If you do not feel comfortable doing that the orthodontist would be happy to you see you sometime this week. In the meantime place some wax to prevent further irritation. The wax is not toxic if swallowed. Reapply the wax as many times as needed.
Mouth Sores
Some patients are susceptible to episodes of mouth sores. While braces do not cause them, they may be precipitated or exacerbated by an irritation from braces. One or several areas of ulceration of the cheeks, lips or tongue may appear. This is not an emergency, but may be very uncomfortable for the patient. Quick relief may be achieved by applying a small amount of topical anesthetic (such as Orabase or Ora-Gel) directly to the ulcerated surface using a cotton swab. The topical anesthetic can be reapplied as needed.
Loose/Broken Brackets, Wires or Bands
Brackets are the parts of braces attached to teeth with a special adhesive. They are generally positioned in the center of each tooth. The bracket can be knocked off if the patient has eaten one of those hard or crunchy foods orthodontic patients are instructed to avoid, or if the mouth is struck while at play. If the bracket becomes loose/broken and is sticking out place some wax over it to prevent irritation until your child is seen. The orthodontist would like to see you sometime this week to replace it.
Lost Separators
It is common to loose a separator during treatment so don’t worry. If this happens call our office to see if it needs to be replaced.
Discomfort with Orthodontic Treatment
During the first week after your braces are in place and after routine adjustments are completed, you will likely feel some pain, soreness or discomfort. You may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while you adjust to your new braces. A warm wash cloth or heating pad may reduce the soreness in your jaws.