Question 1

What if I lost or broke my orthotic appliance?

Accepted Answer

We do not want the muscles of your jaw and your temporomandibular joint to return to the pain position. Call our office as soon as possible so that we can provide temporary options to help maintain your jaw position and discuss getting a replacement.

Question 2

What if I am experiencing discomfort or soreness from my orthotic appliance or orthodontics?

Accepted Answer

We recommend using a non-prescription pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help with any temporary discomfort. You may also need to stick to a diet of soft foods for a day or two to give your jaw a rest. Discomfort is common in the initial days after starting treatment and also after you’ve had an adjustment.

Question 3

How can I treat irritated cheek tissues or sores in the mouth?

Accepted Answer

You can purchase non-medicated orthodontic relief wax at your local drug store and place this on the brackets and wires that are causing irritation. As for sores, you can rinse with salt water several times a day to promote healing and use topical anesthetics like Orabase or Ora-Gel to relieve any pain. You may also want to call our office and ask about ozone gel, a holistic way to reduce pain and mouth sores. Ozone is oxygen with a gel carrier that heals irritated and ulcerated tissues quickly.

Question 4

What if one of my orthodontic ligatures is loose or broken?

Accepted Answer

If you have rubber bands attaching the arch wire to your brackets, these can be put back into place using clean tweezers. In the case of wire ligatures, you can remove them with clean tweezers or, if they’re poking your mouth but not necessarily loose, use a Q-tip or clean pencil eraser to bend them back, away from your soft tissues. Call our office and we will decide if you need to be seen before your next scheduled appointment.

Question 5

What do I do if my orthodontic arch wire is out of place?

Accepted Answer

If your wire is out of place and poking your cheek, you can use a Q-tip or pencil eraser to push the wire back towards your tooth and away from the soft tissue. If this isn’t possible or doesn’t work, use orthodontic wax to cover the end of the wire and call our office to set up an appointment for an adjustment.

Question 6

How do I remove food that is stuck in my braces?

Accepted Answer

We recommend using a Waterpik daily for the best oral hygiene and to remove food that is stuck in your braces or between your teeth. You can also use dental floss, an interproximal brush, or tooth pick for removing particles of food. Tying a knot in the dental floss before threading it through the brackets can help too.

Call our office to schedule your consultation today!

Emergencies

Frequently Asked Questions About Orthotic and Orthodontic Emergencies