Prepare Yourself For Anything
Orthodontic emergencies are, thankfully, very rare. The following topics can help you address most orthodontic problems at home. However, for any situation you cannot resolve on your own, contact our NK orthodontics office as soon as possible so we can schedule an appointment with Dr. Kim.
Here to Help Our NK Orthodontics Patients
The following orthodontic emergencies and their treatments are listed in the order from least severe to most severe. Only the most severe emergencies require immediate attention by Dr. Kim.
Food Caught Between Your Teeth
This isn’t an emergency, but it can be uncomfortable or embarrassing. It’s easily fixed with a piece of dental floss.
Try tying a small knot in the middle of the floss to help remove the food or use an interproximal brush or toothpick to dislodge food caught between your teeth and your braces.
Discomfort
It’s normal for you to have discomfort for a day or two after braces or retainers are adjusted, but it can make eating uncomfortable. This discomfort is very normal and only for a short time.
You may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers to alleviate any discomfort. A warm washcloth, heating pad or warm salt water rinse may also reduce any soreness in your jaws.
Lost Separators
Contact our office to see if it needs to be replaced. Many patients naturally lose separators during treatment, and it is rarely a cause for concern.
Mouth Sores
You may be susceptible to mouth sores. While your braces don’t cause them, they may be made worse by irritation from braces. One or several patches of sores may appear on the cheeks, lips or tongue. This is not an emergency, but it may be very uncomfortable for you.
Get quick relief by applying a small amount of topical anesthetic (such as Orabase or Ora-Gel) directly to the area with sores using a cotton swab. You can reapply as needed.
Wire Irritation
Try 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 wax.
You’ll need to make Dr. Kim aware of the problem. In a situation where the wire is extremely bothersome, and you can’t see Dr. Kim anytime soon, you may, as a last resort, clip the wire.
Cut it with nail clippers or scissors that have been properly washed and sterilized.
Loose Brackets
If your braces come loose in any way, call Dr. Kim to determine the next steps. We may need to schedule a refitting or repair.
In situations where you must cut the wire or slide a bracket off of the wire, you may use fingernail clippers that have been properly washed and sterilized.
You Swallow a Piece of Your Appliance
This is rare, but when it does happen, it can be alarming. It’s important to stay calm. If you’re coughing excessively or having difficulty breathing, you may have inhaled the piece into your airways or lungs.
If you can see the piece, you may carefully attempt to remove it. DO NOT try if you could cause harm. If appropriate under the circumstances, examine your braces for problems that may result from the missing piece, such as looseness or irritation, and treat as specified above.
If you can’t see the piece and believe you may have inhaled it, call Dr. Kim immediately.
