SOMETIMES…THINGS HAPPEN!
How To Handle An Orthodontic Emergency
Orthodontic emergencies are rare, but it’s still important to be prepared for them so that they don’t impact your treatment if they do happen. As a rule, if you experience severe pain or have an appliance problem you can’t take care of on your own, call our office and schedule an appointment.
Common Emergencies
There are actually several problems that you can probably care for yourself. Review the most common ones below and see if you can get yourself comfortable. Then call the office during our regular business hours.
General Soreness
During the first week after the braces are placed and after some adjustments, it is not uncommon to have some discomfort or irritation. You may feel some relief by rinsing with salt water or mouthwash. Over the counter medication can also help. We provide wax to cover the areas causing irritation of the cheeks.
Poking Wire
Sometimes irritation caused by a wire on your braces can be resolved by moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or eraser. If the wire will not move, try covering the end of it with a small amount of wax. If you cannot resolve the wire irritation, call our office for an appointment.
Loose Wire
If you can, put the wire back in place using tweezers or needle nose pliers. You can also use a piece of dental floss to tie the wire in place, and as a last resort, you can use nail clippers to trim the wire behind the last bracket it is securely attached to. If the wire is uncomfortable, place wax over it and schedule a repair appointment.
Loose Band Or Bracket
If a bracket or band comes loose and is still attached to the arch-wire, leave it there and use wax if needed to resolve irritation. Call our office to schedule an appointment to determine if a repair appointment is needed. Don’t wait until your next regular appointment because broken appliances can delay treatment.
How Wheeler Orthodontics Can Help
Sometimes an orthodontic emergency is not one you can solve yourself, and that’s where we come in. If the problem is with your orthodontic appliance, call us at 419-473-1339 to schedule a repair appointment. If you sustain a traumatic injury to the mouth (such as a sports injury or accident), you might need to immediately visit the emergency room, but make sure to notify our office and your general dentist.