After Hours Repairs
Taking care of new braces
Hard:
Nuts, Jerky, Tortilla Chips, Ice, Hard Candies, Popcorn (Kernels)
Sticky/Chewy:
Suckers, Jolly Ranchers, Caramel, Laffy Taffy, Starbursts, Milk Duds
Remember that each time you break a bracket, it can extend your treatment time. If you want to get your braces off within your allotted treatment time, make sure to avoid these foods as much as possible and sure to keep your teeth clean! Brushing, flossing and keeping any food out of your braces after meals will help keep you on track with your oral health.
You can continue to eat raw fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots. Just make sure you cut them into thin slices so they don’t put too much pressure on your braces. It may also be helpful to cut up things like sandwiches, pizza and hamburgers. Chewing gum can help alleviate soreness while in braces. Just make sure you are choosing a sugar free gum like
Extra, Trident or Orbit.
If you do happen to have something break, be sure to call Wright Orthodontics and schedule an appointment to get it repaired as soon as possible in order to avoid treatment delays.
Minor Emergencies
Fortunately, the vast majority of orthodontic problems are minor, but they may still cause discomfort or irritation. In general, it’s best to try and soothe the immediate cause of the discomfort, and the our office to schedule an appointment.
Here are a few of the more common orthodontic problems, along with some tips on what you can do to relieve them at home:
Loose or broken brackets, bands or wires
This problem is often caused by eating hard or sticky candy or food, or playing with the braces. If the band or bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it as is — but don't connect any elastics to it! You can cover it with orthodontic wax if it's irritating the inside of your mouth. If it has come off, save it. In either case, call our office to let us know what happened, and we will schedule a visit. Be sure to bring any loose parts with you to the appointment!
General tooth pain or loosening
It's normal for teeth to become slightly loosened during orthodontic treatment — that shows they're moving! Sometimes, this movement may be accompanied by tenderness, especially after braces are placed or adjusted. For minor soreness, you can use your regular over-the-counter pain reliever. A twice-a-day salt-water rinse may also help: Mix one teaspoon of salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water, and rinse for 30 seconds. A warm washcloth or heating pad placed on the outside of the jaw can also offer some relief.
While actual emergencies are rare, our goal is to make orthodontic treatment as comfortable as
possible. If you need additional advice, don't hesitate to call us!
Misplaced or poking archwire, bracket or tie
As the teeth start to move, the wire that connects them (archwire) may begin poking near the back of the mouth or irritating the cheeks. You can try moving the wire into a better position with a pencil
eraser or a Q-Tip. If the wire won't move, you may be able to cut the end off with a nail clipper sterilized in alcohol — but before doing so, please call our office for our guidance or instructions. Often, you can also use tweezers to gently move a misplaced wire or a tie that's causing problems.
When wires or brackets cause irritation, covering the metal parts with wax will often help ease the
discomfort. As with any of these types of problems, call our office and we'll schedule a time to see you.
Schedule an Appointment
What To Do In An Emergency
At first, having orthodontic treatment may take a little getting used to. It isn't uncommon to experience a bit of soreness as teeth begin moving into new positions. Yet it's comforting to know that genuine orthodontic emergencies are rare.
What Is A Major Emergency?
-
Infection or swelling of the gums, mouth or face
-
Severe, unmanageable discomfort or pain in these areas
In any of these situations, you should seek help as soon as possible – go to an emergency room, if that’s your best option. Generally, however, the place to start is with your regular dentist. Remember that he or she is trained to handle a range of dental problems, and can most likely offer the necessary diagnostic tools, anesthetics and treatments you need. If, for example, you have a fractured tooth, your dentist will treat the immediate problem and arrange for the tooth’s restoration; afterwards your orthodontic treatment plan can be adjusted as needed.
W.R.A.P. Wright Retainer Assurance Program
Our in-house retainer program called W.R.A.P. is an elective option for you if you would like to protect your investment and your or your loved one’s new smile long term. This added service provides you with up to 4 sets of retainers a year, for up to 6 years after orthodontic treatment has been completed. If you would like to purchase W.R.A.P. with your orthodontic treatment or if you have more questions about the program before your Complimentary Exam please contact
Wright Orthodontics today at 480.835.0567