WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY

Occasionally, there may be minor problems with your brace. Please call us for advice. If part of the brace feels sharp then you should use the relief wax or “Brace-eze” provided. Should this not solve the problem, please telephone the practice for advice. Sometimes a little bit of wire is exposed during treatment and this may need to be trimmed.

Don’t panic if a piece of the brace breaks – it is seldom an emergency (unless there has been trauma to the face or teeth, resulting in an injury causing pain, swelling or bleeding). Please note that if you are not in any pain or discomfort, then you are not classed as an emergency as such, you will be appointed within a reasonable time, convenient to our daily schedule.

Information about your braces

– For the first few days after your brace has been fitted, your teeth may be tender, especially when any pressure is applied to the teeth.  This is normal and will get better soon, usually within 3-4 days.

– The most important thing is to keep your teeth, gums and brace perfectly clean using a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. You should brush your teeth 2-3 times a day, and for at least 3 minutes each time. Your teeth and gums will be damaged if you do not keep them clean and your treatment may be stopped early if you are not able to maintain an excellent level of oral hygiene.

– You will have been shown how to brush your teeth properly – it is important to remember to brush well along the outer surfaces of your teeth with a regular toothbrush, as well as in between your braces with the smaller, inter-dental brushes in your starter pack. Don’t forget to use a fluoride mouthwash daily.

– Treat your brace with care – avoid hard or sticky foods e.g. toffee or chewing gum.  Foods like these cause breakages of the brace – breakages mean additional visits, which will lengthen your treatment time overall.  Foods like apples, French bread and crispy-based pizza should be cut up before eating them or avoided completely.

– If a wire causes 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, a cotton ball, or a piece of sugarless gum until you can see Dr. El Alam for an adjustment.

– If the main wire has come out of the tube or pipe on your back molar tooth, attempt to reinsert the wire with a pair of tweezers. If the wire is not sticking you, place a piece of wax over the area. If the wire is sticking you and wax does not help, the wire can be cut with a small wire cutter or toenail clipper close to the back of the last brace. This is a last resort if professional help is unavailable.

– In case a rubber spacer falls out, take two pieces of dental floss and insert them through the spacer. Pull on both pieces of floss to stretch the spacer, then slide the spacer back and forth between the two teeth where it belongs. Once the bottom half of the spacer slips under the tight spot between the teeth, release and remove the floss and the spacer will fit back properly. If you cannot replace the spacer, please call the office the next business day.

– If a bracket becomes loose, it will remain connected to the main wire. Wax can be used to coverr the bracket to protect against tissue irritation. Eyebrow tweezers can also be used to reposition the brace if it flips around the wire and becomes a source of irritation. Call our office and inform us of your situation.

– If a piece of your braces breaks, save the piece and call our office to schedule a repair visit.

– Remain calm if you swallow a piece of your appliance. This will usually go into the stomach, passing out of the body in a bowel movement. However, should difficulty breathing be experienced you should seek immediate medical attention. X-rays will be taken to determine the location of the swallowed piece.

– If a retainer cracks, remove the retainer from your mouth and bring all the pieces to our office for professional repair.

– Take Aspirin, Tylenol or Ibuprofen (unless allergic) if your teeth are sore after a monthly visit.

– Rinsing your mouth with a cup of warm water and teaspoon of salt can also be soothing. If your teeth get sore suddenly in the middle of the month, give us a call. It is unusual for the teeth to get sore several weeks after your last office visit.

– If food becomes stuck between your teeth, use dental floss or a proxy brush to dislodge the food.

– If you cut your gums, tongue or the inside of your cheek, apply finger pressure to the bleeding site for several minutes. If the bleeding does not clot, call our office and inform us your situation!