Orthodontic Emergency Q & A
What should I do in orthodontic emergency?
Braces and other orthodontic devices require special care to avoid damage and orthodontic emergencies. If you have an accident that involves injury to your teeth or mouth, you should call Abar Orthodontics right away or go to an emergency room.
You should also call Abar Orthodontics any time you have an issue with your braces that doesn’t improve with home care, such as:
Poking wire
Sometimes, the wire in your braces may poke out at the end and irritate your cheeks. If this happens at home, try pushing the wire back in place with a pencil eraser or cotton swab. Or, you can cover the poking wire with wax.
If you’re unable to alleviate the pain with these methods, call Abar Orthodontics to schedule an appointment.
Wire completely out of place
Occasionally, a loose wire can pop out of place. You can try to reposition it with a set of tweezers. If this isn’t possible, you can use a small nail clipper to cut the wire behind the last tooth it’s firmly attached to.
In cases where attempts to replace or clip the wire are unsuccessful, call Abar Orthodontics for help.
What should I do if my braces are loose or broken?
Eating hard or sticky foods may cause your braces to become loose or break. If this happens, try to leave it alone or cover it with wax to prevent pain. Dr. Abar will fix the loose or broken braces at your next regularly scheduled appointment.
What should I do when my orthodontic device cause pain?
Mouth soreness and discomfort are common with braces, especially in the beginning. Home care methods such as rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can help. If salt rinses don’t relieve your pain, you can try over-the-counter medicines such as ibuprofen.
Sore spots on your cheeks or tongue are also common. You can treat these spots by covering your braces in a bit of wax from the home care kit Dr. Abar supplies you with.
If you or a loved one has an orthodontic emergency, call Abar Orthodontics or book an appointment online today.