Everyone agrees that braces can seem awkward at first, so it may take a few days after we start your treatment for you to feel completely comfortable. Choosing softer foods and keeping your teeth and gums clean with frequent, thorough, brushing is the best way for you to adapt quickly to having all that hardware in your mouth. And, following the instructions we have given you is the best way to avoid any breakage or loosening of your braces.
However, even under the best of circumstances, occasional breakage may occur. If that happens to you here are some tips about what to do.
What To Do In Case Of Emergency
Call our office as soon as possible if you break or loosen any of your appliances. Please do not come directly to the office – by calling us in advance you can be assured we have scheduled time to take care of the breakage. Even if you have a regular appointment scheduled, call us immediately to notify us if you need an appliance repaired. We are available by telephone 24/7 in the event an emergency arises.
What To Do With Wire Irritations
Sometimes discomfort caused by a wire on your braces can be resolved by moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or eraser. If the wire will not move, try covering the end of it with a small piece of cotton or a small amount of the wax that we have provided. If the wire is painful, you can cut it with nail clippers or scissors that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. If you cannot resolve the wire irritation, call our office for an appointment.
What To Do With Lost Separators
Separators are used in the early treatment stages to make space for the fitting of bands around back teeth. These small plastic “donuts” may become loose and fall out as the space becomes larger. It is rare that a separator needs to be replaced, but if you do lose one, call our office to let us know what has happened so we can arrange to see you if necessary.
What To Do About Lost Retainers
Teeth always have the potential to shift in position. Retainers are designed to prevent that from happening. If you lose a retainer it is important to replace it as soon as possible so that your teeth do not relapse back toward their pretreatment position. Call us immediately so we can schedule two appointments; one to take an impression and a second to fit your replacement retainer.
And remember, we are always here to assist. Please let us know if at any time you have questions about your braces or your treatment progress.