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PROBLEMS
Can You Take Care of It?
Before calling
your orthodontist with a problem, ask yourself: Is this an emergency? True
emergencies are rare. Spend a few moments learning more about your appliance and
how to solve small problems. This will help you handle minor concerns on your
own without first calling your orthodontist.
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What You Can Do
Keep orthodontic wax
and a pencil eraser handy. Here are some tips for handling minor problems:
- Poking
wire or bracket: Roll a piece of wax into a ball and press it onto the part
that's poking you.
- Broken
wire: Press the wire toward your teeth with a pencil eraser.
- Small
cut: To help the cut heal, rinse your mouth with a mixture of 1 teaspoon of
salt and 1 cup of warm water.
A ball of wax pressed onto a
wire or bracket can keep it from poking your mouth.
Call for a
Special Appointment
Call your orthodontist's
office during regular business hours if:
- An
appliance breaks.
- A
piece of the appliance is loose.
- An
appliance gets lost.
Call Your Orthodontist Right Away
Call day or night if:
- A
broken appliance prevents the mouth from opening or closing.
- Pain
from an appliance is still felt even after taking over-the-counter pain
relievers.
Call your emergency number first, then call your
orthodontist, if:
- A
serious face or mouth injury occurs anywhere near an appliance or it causes
the appliance to break.
- A
piece of the appliance is inhaled or gets in the way of breathing. This is
extremely rare.
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 Know
Your Appliance
Try to learn as
much about your orthodontic appliance as you can. This will help you talk to
your orthodontist about any problems you might have. Here are some of the main
parts you'll find on a set of braces:
Tips to
Prevent Problems
Always
follow your orthodontist's instructions about proper wear and care and use
common sense to prevent orthodontic problems. Keep orthodontic wax handy. And
spend some time learning how to handle any problems that may come up. Here are
some
general tips that will help prevent problems.
- Don't
play rough while wearing headgear.
- If you
wear braces, don't eat foods that are hard, sticky, crunchy, or chewy. Avoid
candy, gum, nuts, and corn on the cob. Cut raw carrots or apples into small
pieces.
- Don't
pick at or pull on braces even if it makes your teeth feel better.
- Don't
flick your retainer around with your tongue.
- Remove
headgear and wear a mouthguard when playing sports.
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