CURRENT PATIENTS

BRACES RESOURCE CENTER

EMERGENCIES

Only the most severe emergencies may require immediate attention by an orthodontist. The majority of these are easily treated with a follow-up orthodontist visit.

Tools & Supplies

Keep these tools and supplies on hand and you’ll be prepared to handle most common orthodontic emergencies:

• Non-medicated orthodontic relief wax
• Dental floss
• Sterile tweezers
• A small, sharp clipper
• Q-tips
• Salt
• An Interproximal brush
• Toothpicks
• Non-prescription pain reliever (acetaminophen or ibuprofen)
• Topical Anesthetic (such as Orabase or Ora-Gel)

Food Caught Between Teeth

This is not an emergency but can be a little uncomfortable or embarrassing for anyone wearing braces. This may be fixed easily with a piece of dental floss. Try tying a small knot in the middle of the floss to help remove the food. You may also use an interproximal brush or toothpick to dislodge food caught between teeth and braces.

Lost Wire or Ligature

Tiny rubber bands or small, fine wires known as ligatures hold the wire of the braces to the bracket. If a rubber or wire ligature is lost, just notify our office to schedule an appointment.

If Ligatures Come Off

If a rubber ligature should come off, you may be able to put it back in place using sterile tweezers. If a wire ligature comes loose, 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 with a Q-tip or pencil eraser to eliminate the irritation.

Of course, when one ligature pops off or breaks, others may follow. Be sure to examine all ligatures closely afterward.

Discomfort

It’s normal to have discomfort for a day or two after braces or retainers are adjusted but this discomfort is temporary. Simply eat soft foods, rinse your mouth with warm salt water, and take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen if the discomfort is severe.

Mouth Sores

While braces do not cause mouth sores, they may be precipitated or exacerbated by irritation from braces. Prompt 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. Reapply as needed.

Irritation in Mouth

Sometimes new braces can be irritating to the mouth, especially when eating. A small amount of non-medicinal relief wax makes an excellent buffer between metal and mouth. Simply pinch off a small piece and roll it into a ball the size of a small pea. Flatten the ball and place it completely over the area of the braces causing irritation. The wax is harmless, so it is not a problem if accidentally ingested.

Protruding Wire

Occasionally, the end of a wire may work itself out of place and irritate the mouth. Use a Q-tip or pencil eraser to push the wire so that it is flat against the tooth. If the wire cannot be moved into a comfortable position, cover it with relief wax, and let our office know. If the wire is extremely bothersome and you will not be able to visit our office soon, you may clip the wire as a last resort.

Reduce the possibility of swallowing the snipped piece of wire by using folded tissue or gauze around the area. Use a pair of sharp clippers and snip off the protruding wire. Relief wax may still be necessary to provide comfort to the irritated area.

Loose Wires, Brackets or Bands

If the braces have come loose in any way, call our office to determine the appropriate next steps

A Bracket is Knocked Off

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 after eating any of the hard or crunchy foods patients are instructed to avoid, or if the mouth is struck while at play.

If the bracket is off center, the adhesive may have failed. Call our office to determine the next course of action.

If the loose bracket has rotated on the wire and is sticking out, and you are not able to immediately visit our office you can alleviate discomfort and prevent further damage with a temporary fix. Take care to prevent swallowing or other injury.

To put the bracket back in place, use sterile tweezers to slide the bracket along the wire until it is between two teeth. Rotate the bracket back to the proper position, then slide it back to the center of the tooth.