An orthodontic emergency can be scary if you’re dealing with one for the first time. Whether it’s a loose bracket, a wire sticking or poking, or any other issue, it can be hard to think clearly and come up with a solution. Luckily, you’ll be happy to know that true orthodontic emergencies are quite rare and that most problems that arise with your braces can be fixed on your own at home. However, you should still follow up with an appointment to make sure your problem is taken care of properly. Read below to learn about a few of the more common emergencies we see here at Carroll Orthodontics, and how you can remedy them!
After you first get braces, and after each adjustment appointment, your teeth and mouth will most likely feel sore. This is quite common among all orthodontic patients! To help the pain subside, Dr. Carroll recommends ibuprofen. Ibuprofen (Advil) can be taken up to 4 times a day right after an adjustment. If you’d like a more natural method of alleviating the pain, gargling lukewarm salt water also helps. Additionally, a heating pad or a warm washcloth can reduce some of the soreness around your mouth and jaw.
Loose wires not only slow down your treatment process, they can also irritate your gums if not addressed. Just as you would with a loose bracket, you should first make an appointment to repair the wire. The other solutions to this problem are similar to steps you would take for a wire irritation. You can cover the sharp end of the wire with dental wax, use sterilized tweezers to put the wire back in place or use sterilized fingernail clippers to cut the wire. When cutting, make sure to cut behind the last bracket in which the wire is secured.