What to do in case of an emergency?
Call our office as soon as possible if you break or loosen any of your appliances. Please do not come directly to the office – by calling us, you will allow us to create a time to see you. Even if you have a regular appointment scheduled, call us to let us know something needs repair.
Wire irritations
Sometimes discomfort caused by a wire on your braces can be resolved by moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or eraser. If the wire will not move, try covering the end of it with a small piece of cotton or a small amount of wax. If the wire is painful, you can cut it with nail clippers or scissors that have been washed and sterilized in antibacterial soap. If you cannot resolve the wire irritation, call our office for an appointment.
Lost separators
Most patients lose a separator during their treatment. Do not worry about losing a separator, but call our office to see if it needs to be replaced.
Discomfort with Orthodontic Treatment
During the first several days after your braces are in place and following routine adjustments, you will likely feel some discomfort in the teeth. You may take ibuprofen, Tylenol or any headache type pain reliever to make your teeth more comfortable. In addition, keeping your diet soft will also be helpful. Cool or iced beverages tend to soften the copper titanium archwires and make the teeth feel less pressure.