Fortunately there are rarely orthodontic emergencies, but sometimes things happen and the braces can become uncomfortable.
Broken Braces (or brackets)
Should your bracket break there are some things you can do to stabilize it temporarily.
- use some dental wax to secure it and make an appointment to see your orthodontist.
- use tweezers to slide the bracket back on to the tooth and secure it with a ball of orthodontic wax.
Poking wires
Occasionally, archwires or wire ties might poke the soft tissues inside your mouth or your lips. You can take a couple of temporary measures to ease the discomfort until you can see the orthodontist.
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- Use a pencil eraser or Q-tip to reposition the wire
- Put dental wax over the area causing discomfort until your appointment
- Snip the sharp wires with sharp nail clippers. NOTE: to reduce the risk of swallowing the piece clipped off, if possible, wrap gauze (or tissue paper) around the end that is being clipped.
Band on the Run
If a band (the metal ring that is sometimes places around the back teeth) comes loose, let us know. Although there is no immediate problem, over the long term it may cause enamel erosion and can lead to white spots. If it comes out completely, save it and bring it to your next scheduled appointment.
Swallowing Appliances
Don’t panic. With it still being attached to the archwire, it is likely to stay on there once you have noticed it has come off your tooth. But if it does come off, a bracket is a fairly small appliance, so if it is swallowed it will pass through your system quickly.
In the event you are having any of these issues, you are always welcome to contact us right away and we will see you as soon as possible.