While true orthodontic emergencies are relatively rare, you can rest assured that Hoybjerg Family Orthodontics will be here for you if something happens. Be sure to call our office immediately if you experience severe pain or have difficulty with your orthodontic appliance that you cannot resolve. We will schedule an appointment for you as quickly as possible and ensure the issue is taken care of.
Thankfully, there are many problems that you can temporarily solve on your own while you are waiting for an orthodontic appointment. Always make sure to bring any loose pieces from your appliance and braces if you come in for emergency care. Some quick fixes and braces repairs include using wax on any loose wires that are sticking out or using needle-nosed pliers to pull loose wires gently back into place.
Even if you can alleviate your immediate pain, you should still call Hoybjerg Family Orthodontics and schedule an appointment as quickly as possible for a more permanent solution to your problem. A damaged appliance that is ignored for an extended period of time could result in a delay in your treatment plans. Continue reading below for our at-home solutions to orthodontic emergencies and problems.
When your braces are first put on, you can expect to feel a general soreness and tenderness in your mouth and teeth for three to five days. During that time, a soft diet can help minimize the pain that comes with chewing. Sore gums and other sore spots inside the mouth may be helped by rinsing with a salt-water solution consisting of a tablespoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water. Here are a few other options for pain relief:
If your headgear is not worn according to the instructions provided by your orthodontist, you may experience some discomfort. Follow the instructions and let the Hoybjerg Family Orthodontics front office know if your facebow becomes bent. Wear the headgear the number of hours that are prescribed by your orthodontist. This should cause it to hurt less the longer it is worn.
Apply wax to any wire that is sticking out and chaffing the inside of your mouth. Loose wires are a common orthodontic problem and easy to fix with a little wax. If the problem persists, please contact our orthodontic office.
Loose or broken brackets are a common occurrence with braces. If a loose bracket or band remains attached to the wire, please leave it in place and put wax over it to minimize the discomfort. If the bracket or band is easily removed, place it in a secure container and bring it to your next visit at Hoybjerg Family Orthodontics.
If a wire has come loose, you can use a pair of tweezers or a pair of needle-nosed pliers to put loose wires back in place. You may need to use a piece of floss to tie the loose wire into place until you can make an office appointment. To accomplish this, simply tie the floss around the place where the colored o-ring usually goes. If the wire cannot be moved into a comfortable position and wax fails to help, as a final resort you can use a small pair of fingernail clippers to clip the loose wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. You should still use wax to protect the inside of your mouth from any sharp ends.
If a loose wire is poking the inside your mouth, you may use the eraser end of a pencil to push the loose wire down or use wax to keep the sharp end from poking.
If you are experiencing an orthodontic emergency, please look through our at-home solutions and if you still need immediate assistance, contact Hoybjerg Family Orthodontics. We specialize in emergency orthodontic care and braces repair, there is truly no problem we haven’t already seen. Request an appointment online or call our office directly to schedule your next consultation. We look forward to seeing you again soon!