The good news is that there are very few true orthodontic emergencies that can not be remedied at home. However, if you have a situation that you cannot resolve on your own, contact us as soon as possible so we can schedule you for a repair appointment. In the meantime, here are some tips to help resolve minor problems you may encounter during your orthodontic treatment.
Poking Wires
Don’t be alarmed if a wire comes loose and is poking. This happens occasionally. If a wire protrudes and is irritating, use a blunt instrument (like a cotton swab or the eraser end of a pencil) and carefully push the irritating wire away from your cheek or tongue. If the wire will not move, place wax or wet cotton on the wire to reduce the annoyance. If irritation to the lips or mouth continues, you may cut it with nail clippers or cuticle cutters that have been sterilized in alcohol. Contact our office as soon as possible for an appointment to check and repair the appliances. If any piece comes off, save it and bring it with you to the office.
Loose Brackets
Make yourself comfortable first. Use a piece of wax to cover any spots that are irritating to the lips or cheeks. Contact the office to see if the bracket needs to be replaced immediately or if it can wait until your next scheduled appointment. If any parts come off, bring it with you to the office.
Lost Separator
Contact our office to see if it needs to be replaced. Some patients may lose a separator during treatment, which is common. Don’t worry – they are easy to replace!
