Emergency orthodontic care aims to alleviate discomfort, prevent further damage, and maintain the progress of orthodontic treatment until you can schedule an appointment at Smile Solutions. It's essential to seek prompt attention from Dr. Black, Dr. Dhingra, Dr. Leung, or Dr. Eckler in case of emergencies to minimize complications and ensure the best possible outcome for your orthodontic treatment.
When you see your Smile Solutions orthodontist for your emergency appointment, they will assess the emergency, make any necessary adjustments or repairs to your braces, and ensure that your mouth is comfortable and free from irritation. Before your appointment, you can alleviate discomfort by following the guidelines below.
General soreness
General soreness is a common side effect of orthodontic treatment, especially in the initial stages or after adjustments to braces or aligners. Non-prescription pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help reduce discomfort associated with soreness. Follow the recommended dosage instructions provided on the medication packaging.
You can also rinse your mouth with a warm saltwater solution (1 teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water) multiple times a day. Saltwater has soothing properties and can help reduce inflammation and soreness in the mouth.
For the first few days after an adjustment, stick to soft foods that are easy to chew, such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, soup, scrambled eggs, or smoothies. Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that may exacerbate soreness or cause damage to your braces.
The lips, cheeks, and tongue may become irritated for one to two weeks as they learn a new posture and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces to lessen this. We'll show you how!
Headgear
A headgear emergency typically involves a situation where the headgear appliance becomes damaged, broken, or causes discomfort. If a headgear strap breaks or becomes loose, you may be able to temporarily secure it with elastic bands or clips as instructed by our team. If the headgear wire or frame is causing irritation or poking, you can use orthodontic wax to cover the sharp edges and prevent further discomfort.
Loose appliance
A loose appliance in orthodontic treatment can cause discomfort and may compromise the effectiveness of the treatment. While waiting for your appointment, you can try to stabilize the loose appliance and alleviate discomfort temporarily. Use orthodontic wax to cover any sharp edges or irritations caused by the loose appliance.
Loose bracket
If a bracket or band is loose but still attached, you may be able to carefully push it back into place using clean fingers or tweezers. If a wire is poking or causing irritation, you can use orthodontic wax to cover the area and prevent discomfort.
Loose wire
Using a pair of tweezers or needle-nosed pliers, try to put your wire back into place. It is okay to use a piece of floss to tie the wire into place: tie the floss around the bracket in place of the missing colored o-ring. If you cannot put the wire into a comfortable position, and covering the end with wax doesn't help, as a last resort use a small fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If the end of the wire is still sharp place wax on it.
Poking wire
Use the eraser end of a pencil or a cotton swab to gently push the poking wire back into place away from the soft tissues of your mouth. Apply orthodontic wax over the end of the poking wire to create a smooth surface and prevent it from rubbing against the inside of your cheek or gum.
If you're unable to push the poking wire back into place or if it continues to cause significant discomfort, you can attempt to clip the wire using clean, small nail clippers or wire cutters. Disinfect the clippers or cutters with rubbing alcohol before and after use. Carefully snip the wire as close to the nearest bracket as possible without causing damage to your braces or injuring yourself.