Problems during treatment related to braces are rare. But they do happen, so you should prepare yourself to handle them by following this advice:
- Good oral hygiene
- Avoiding certain foods
- Keeping all scheduled visits and other brace maintenance practices helps reduce emergencies and ensure positive results.
Below is a list of first-response options you can take for a variety of scenarios before reaching our office.
If the archwire of your braces is irritating your gums or your teeth, try to shift its position using a Q-tip or the eraser on the back of a pencil. In case you cannot shift it, a small piece of wax or cotton, or sugarless gum can help. Schedule an appointment with Starlight as soon as possible to have the wire readjusted.
If your main wire has come out of the tube or bracket on your back molar tooth, use tweezers or a pair of needle-nosed pliers to reinsert it.
When the wire isn’t causing irritation, place wax over it until you’re able to visit Starlight.
If a bracket becomes loose, the colored elastics around the bracket usually will ensure it remains connected to the main wire. You can use tweezers to reposition the brace if it flips around the wire and causes irritation. Also try placing wax over the loose bracket for comfort, and call the office immediately for an appointment.
If your retainer cracks, remove it from your mouth and bring all pieces to Starlight for repair or replacement.
If experiencing any soreness after your monthly visit, taking over-the-counter tablets such as Aspirin, Tylenol or Ibuprofen should remedy this. Further relief can be obtained by rinsing your mouth with a cup of warm water mixed with a teaspoon of salt. Call Starlight, however, if your teeth suddenly become sore in the middle of the month.