Fortunately, the vast majority of orthodontic problems are minor compared to these situations — but they may still cause discomfort or irritation. In general, it's best to try and soothe the immediate cause of the discomfort, and then call our office to schedule an appointment; that way, we can allot sufficient time to take care of you. Here are a few of the more common orthodontic problems, along with some tips on what you can do to relieve them at home:
Loose or broken brackets, bands or wires
This problem is often caused by eating hard or sticky candy or food, or playing with the braces. If the band or bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it as is — but don't connect any elastics to it! You can cover it with orthodontic wax if it's irritating the inside of your mouth. If it has come off, save it. In either case, call our office to let us know what happened, and we will schedule a visit. Be sure to bring any loose parts with you to the appointment!
Misplaced or poking archwire, bracket or tie
As the teeth start to move, the wire that connects them (archwire) may begin poking near the back of the mouth or irritating the cheeks. You can try moving the wire into a better position with a pencil eraser or a Q-Tip. If the wire won't move, you may be able to cut the end off with a nail clipper sterilized in alcohol — but before doing so, please call our office for our guidance or instructions. Often, you can also use tweezers to gently move a misplaced wire or a tie that's causing problems.
When wires or brackets cause irritation, covering the metal parts with wax will often help ease the discomfort. As with any of these types of problems, call our office and we'll schedule a time to see you.
General tooth pain or loosening
It's normal for teeth to become slightly loosened during orthodontic treatment — that shows they're moving! Sometimes, this movement may be accompanied by tenderness, especially after braces are placed or adjusted. For minor soreness, you can use your regular over-the-counter pain reliever--ideally Tylenol, as anything with Iburprofen in it can inhibit tooth movement. A twice-a-day salt-water rinse may also help: Mix one teaspoon of salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water, and rinse for 30 seconds. A warm washcloth or heating pad placed on the outside of the jaw can also offer some relief.
While actual emergencies are rare, our goal is to make orthodontic treatment as comfortable as possible. If you need additional advice, don't hesitate to call us! Below are some videos that may help you get through some common orthodontic issues...
Notify us immediately if you notice a loose bracket, wire or band. We’ll let you know what you need to do. One way to prevent loose braces is by wearing a protective mouth guard when playing sports or similar activities.
For mouth sores, apply a small amount of topical anesthetic (such as Ora-Gel) to the sore area using a cotton swab. For lip or cheek sores, use relief wax as a buffer between the metal and your mouth.
First, the colored ligatures around the brackets are just for decoration. Our braces have "doors" that close and lock the wire in place. But, if you have rubber ligatures, you may be able to replace them using sterile tweezers. If you have wire ligatures, remove the broken wire with tweezers, or use a Q-tip or pencil eraser to bend it down to eliminate any irritation. You should inform us of what’s happening so we can help you further.
Use dental floss to remove the food, or use an interproximal brush or toothpick to dislodge it.
