With any sort of device, orthodontic or not, damage can occur out of nowhere. Some of this damage you can actually resolve at home, while other such orthodontic emergencies require more urgent attention. Rhoads Orthodontics is here to tell you the difference!
Minor Orthodontic Issues (Simple Fixes You Can Do at Home)
We’ll start by categorizing issues that are considered relatively minor, a couple of which aren’t technically orthodontic emergencies! Remember that any damage to your braces is still damage—so you should never elect just to ignore it. In fact, there’s a healthy chance it will become worse if you do!
- General Discomfort After Adjustments: After getting braces first placed or adjusted by Dr. Rhoads, mild soreness is normal for a day or two. Try these remedies:
- Eat soft foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, or smoothies.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed.
- Rinse with warm salt water to ease discomfort.
- Food Stuck in Braces: Food getting caught between braces or aligners is a common annoyance but not an emergency. A harder food particle (like a fruit seed) that’s stuck might cause some discomfort. Try the following:
- Use dental floss with a knot tied in the middle to dislodge more stubborn pieces.
- Try to use an interdental brush for hard-to-reach areas, but avoid toothpicks or other sharp objects that can damage your appliance.
- Rinse with warm water or mouthwash to help loosen stuck food particles.
- Mouth Sores and Irritation: Braces and even incorrectly trimmed Invisalign aligners can sometimes rub against the inside of your mouth or gum line, causing irritation or sores. To manage discomfort:
- Apply a topical anesthetic (such as Orabase or Ora-Gel) directly to the affected area.
- Use warm salt water rinses (a teaspoon of salt in warm water) twice a day to aid healing.
- Again, apply orthodontic wax to any rough areas of your braces causing irritation.
- Loose or Missing Ligatures: Ligatures are tiny rubber bands or fine wires that secure the archwire to your braces. If one comes loose or falls off:
- Rubber Ligatures: You can try using sterile tweezers to place it back in position carefully.
- Wire Ligatures: If a wire ligature becomes loose or sticks out, gently bend it back into place with a clean Q-tip or the eraser end of a pencil.
- If multiple ligatures come off, contact our office for advice on whether an appointment is needed!
- Poking or Protruding Wires: If a wire is sticking out and irritating your mouth:
- Apply orthodontic wax over the wire to prevent irritation if it’s possible. This is the simplest fix to try first.
- Try to very gently push the wire flat against your tooth using a cotton swab or the eraser end of a pencil.
- If the wire is very bothersome and you can’t see Dr. Rhoads soon, you might carefully clip the wire using sterile nail clippers. Be sure to place gauze or tissue to catch any small wire pieces. We can tell you more about this process over the phone.
Moderate Orthodontic Issues (Call Us for an Appointment)
- Broken or Damaged Appliance: If part of your aligner or other orthodontic appliance cracks or breaks:
- Keep any broken pieces and bring them to your appointment.
- We can discuss whether a replacement is needed if a repair isn’t ideal.
- Loose Brackets, Wires, or Bands: If your bracket or wire becomes loose or fully detached:
- Leave it in place and apply orthodontic wax over it to prevent irritation.
- Do not attempt to glue or reattach it yourself.
- Call Rhoads Orthodontics to schedule a repair appointment with our team.
- Lost or Broken Retainer: If you lose or break your retainer, you’ll need to schedule a replacement appointment as soon as possible. Going without your retainer for too long will cause teeth to shift.
Serious Orthodontic Emergencies (Seek Immediate Help!)
- Swallowing a Piece of an Appliance: If you accidentally swallow a small part of your braces:
- Stay calm—most small pieces will pass through your digestive system safely.
- If you experience choking, excessive coughing, or difficulty breathing, seek immediate medical attention, and have a friend or family member call Dr. Rhoads if you’re unable to.
- Traumatic Injury to the Mouth or Face
If you experience a broken tooth, excessive bleeding, or a suspected broken jaw, head to the emergency room immediately. Once urgent care is received, you can contact Rhoads Orthodontics to address any impact on your orthodontic treatment.
Offering a Helping Hand
We completely understand that some of these occurrences can be really shocking—but the good news is you now have better awareness. Many of these issues are largely preventable and avoidable—but Rhoads Orthodontics will be here for you if they happen anyway! Schedule your free consultation today! And remember, our Cranberry Township office is a call away.