You just got
your braces on and you’re home from your appointment, taking selfie’s and
posting your picture on Instagram for all of your friends to see. Then, you
feel it…your mouth is tender, a wire is poking your cheek, your teeth are sore and
your next appointment is scheduled for 8 weeks from now. You’re uncomfortable…it’s
an emergency and you need help now!
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| Photo provided by mysmiledoctors.com.au |
Many orthodontic problems are not actually true emergencies. You may be surprised at just how
many things can be remedied right in your own home…by you. If you keep a few
tools and supplies on hand, most orthodontic concerns, like, poking wires and
mouth soreness can be fixed without scheduling an emergency appointment at all.
You will be
prepared to handle the most common orthodontic urgencies as long as you have
the following handy:
- Orthodontic relief wax
- Tweezers
- Small, sharp clipper
- Q-tips
- Salt
- Non-prescription pain reliever
Easy
Solutions for the Most Common Orthodontic Concerns
Soreness can
be expected for 3 – 5 days after an adjustment. You may take an over-the-counter pain reliever
such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) as you would for a headache or similar
discomfort. Warm salt water rinses several times a day will help alleviate the
discomfort and help your mouth feel “back to normal” much more quickly.
When you
first receive your braces or orthodontic appliance, sore spots may develop on
your cheeks. To protect your cheeks, place wax on the bracket, wire or
appliance. Rinsing with warm salt water several times a day is also very
soothing to your gum and cheek tissues.
Sometimes
new braces can be irritating to the mouth, especially when you are eating. A
small amount of wax makes an excellent buffer between your braces and your
mouth tissue. Simply pinch off a small piece and roll it into a ball the size
of a small pea. Flatten the ball and place it completely over the area of the
braces causing irritation. The wax is harmless, so don’t be afraid to eat while
it is in place.
If a wire is
causing you irritation, push the wire away from the area using the eraser end
of a pencil or a Q-tip. If the wire cannot be tucked away, cover the end of the
wire with a small piece of wax or a cotton ball until you can see us for an
appointment.
If the main
wire has come out of the tube on the back tooth, attempt to reinsert the wire
with a pair of needle-nose pliers or tweezers. As a last resort, if you cannot
come into our office, the wire can be cut with a small wire cutter or
fingernail clipper close to the back of the last brace (bracket).
These helpful tips and tricks will help you Be
Calm and Smile On.
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