Minor emergencies can be solved at home. The below can assist with some common orthodontic emergencies.
· Orthodontic wax
· Dental floss and interproximal brushes
· Tweezers, a teaspoon
· Nail Clippers (sterilised in alcohol)
· Non-prescription pain relief
· Ulcer cream
Below is a list of orthodontic emergencies and their treatment; only severe emergencies will require you to make an appointment.
Food is stuck in your braces.
This can be a little uncomfortable; please use the initially supplied interproximal brush (piksters) or floss to remove anything caught in between braces and teeth.
Lost elastic modules or ligatures
If one of the small modules or fine wire ligatures that hold the wire in place is lost, please call our studio, and we will advise you if you need to make an additional appointment.
Loose elastic modules or ligatures
If an elastic module or steel ligature is loose, you may be able to put it back in place using sterilised tweezers. If the wire ligature sticks into your lip or cheek, you may bend it back down by using either sterilised tweezers, the end of a teaspoon, or rubber at the end of a pencil.
Discomfort
It is normal to have a level of discomfort for 3-5 days after braces/aligners/removable appliances are inserted. After an adjustment, this period of discomfort may last for only 1-2 days. At times it can make eating uncomfortable. Discomfort is expected and temporary; soft foods will be preferred to chewy. Standard pain relief tablets of either Paracetamol or Ibuprofen, or a combination of both, can be effective. Please seek medical advice prior to taking.
Ulcers
Braces and clear aligners may irritate your soft tissues and worsen or exacerbate episodes of mouth ulcers. These can appear around cheeks, lips, and tongue. Place a pea-sized amount of wax to the braces/aligner directly opposing the ulcer. A healing paste with topical anesthetic can be applied directly to the ulcer.
Irritation to soft tissues
Newly placed brackets and aligners can rub your lips and cheeks, especially when eating or sleeping. A small amount of wax can be placed on the area which is rubbing. Take a small piece of wax, roll it into a ball the size of a small pea; it should become a little bit “sticky.” Dry the area as best you can and press the wax over the site of the braces/aligner, causing the irritation. Accidentally ingested wax is harmless.
Sharp wire
Sometimes the end of a wire will work itself out at the back of your braces and irritate your cheek. This is common when your teeth are straightening. Attempt to push the wire into a more comfortable position and cover it with wax. As a last resort, if you cannot make an appointment within the next 2-3 days, you may cut the wire using a pair of sterilised sharp nail clippers.
Broken bracket, wire, or band
Brackets may occasionally debond if you have eaten something too hard, sticky, chewy, or crunchy or if you have had a hit to your face.
If a loose bracket has twisted on the wire and is sticking out, try to spin the bracket back into position using sterilised tweezers. Please call the studio and advise whether an impact to your face has damaged your braces, and we will advise as to how soon you should be seen.