Braces Emergencies
Common Braces Emergencies And How To Address Them
Broken Brackets Or Bands This can happen if you eat something hard or sticky, or if you accidentally hit your braces. You can cover the loose bracket or band with orthodontic wax to prevent it from irritating your gums or cheeks. Call Music City Orthodontics to schedule an emergency appointment to fix the problem as soon as possible.
Loose Wires Wires can come loose if they’re not tightened properly, or if you eat something hard or sticky. You can try to push the wire back into place with a pencil eraser or a cotton swab. If that doesn’t work, you can cut the wire with a small pair of nail clippers or scissors, but be careful not to swallow the wire. You can also cover the wire with orthodontic wax to protect your mouth from injury. Please call Music City Orthodontics to have this issue corrected.
Soreness And Discomfort In The Teeth It is normal to feel some soreness and discomfort in your teeth and gums when you first get braces or after an adjustment. This usually lasts for a few days and can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with warm salt water, taking over-the-counter pain relievers, or applying a cold compress to your face. You can also eat soft foods and avoid chewing on hard or sticky items. If the pain persists or becomes severe, please call Music City Orthodontics for advice.
Ulcers Or Sores Inside Your Mouth Sometimes, braces can rub against the inside of your mouth and cause ulcers or sores. These can be painful and annoying, but they are not serious and will heal on their own. You can apply some topical anesthetic gel or cream to the affected area to numb the pain and speed up the healing process. You can also use orthodontic wax to cover the sharp edges of your braces that are causing the irritation. Avoid spicy, acidic, or salty foods that can aggravate the sores. If the sores do not heal within a week or become infected, please call Music City Orthodontics to make an appointment.
Food Stuck In Braces Food particles can get trapped in between your teeth and braces, which can lead to plaque buildup, bad breath, and tooth decay. You can prevent this by brushing your teeth and flossing regularly, especially after meals. You can also use a water flosser, an interdental brush, or a dental pick to remove any food debris that is hard to reach. If you have a large piece of food stuck in your braces, you can try to gently dislodge it with a toothpick or a dental floss. Do not use any metal or sharp objects that can damage your braces or injure your mouth.
Broken Retainer Retainers help maintain the position of your teeth after your braces are removed. It is important to wear your retainer as instructed by your orthodontist, and to take good care of it. If your retainer breaks, cracks, or bends, do not try to fix it yourself, as this can make it worse. Keep the broken pieces and bring them to us at Music city Orthodontics as soon as possible. We will either repair or replace your retainer, depending on the extent of the damage. In the meantime, you can use a store bought nightguard to prevent your teeth from shifting.
Lost Rubber Bands Rubber bands are small elastic bands that are attached to your braces to help correct your bite and align your jaws. They are usually worn for a certain amount of time each day, depending on your orthodontist’s instructions. If you lose or run out of rubber bands, do not panic. You can call Music City Orthodontics and ask for more rubber bands, or visit us to pick them up. Do not use any other type of rubber bands, such as those used for hair or office supplies, as they can be too tight or too loose and cause damage to your braces or teeth.
Protruding Wire Sometimes, a wire can stick out from your braces and poke your cheek, tongue, or lip. This can be very uncomfortable and cause swelling, bleeding, or infection. You can try to bend the wire away from your mouth with a pencil eraser, a cotton swab, or a spoon. If that doesn’t work, you can cut the wire with a small pair of nail clippers or scissors, but be careful not to swallow the wire. You can also cover the wire with orthodontic wax to prevent further injury. Contact Music City Orthodontics to have the wire trimmed or replaced.
Swallowed Piece Of The Appliance Although rare, it is possible to swallow a piece of your braces or retainer, such as a bracket, a band, a wire, or a rubber band. This can happen if you eat something hard or sticky, or if you play with your braces or retainer. If this happens, do not panic. Most of the time, the swallowed piece will pass through your digestive system without causing any harm. However, if you experience any difficulty breathing, coughing, choking, or abdominal pain, you should seek medical attention immediately. You should also inform Music City Orthodontics about the incident.