Prepare Yourself For Anything
Orthodontic emergencies are, thankfully, very rare. The following topics can help you address most orthodontic problems at home.
However, for anything you can’t resolve on your own, contact our Tucker or Marietta office as soon as possible so we can schedule an appointment with Dr. Kim.
Here to Help Our NK Ortho Patients
The following orthodontic emergencies and their treatments are listed from least severe to most severe. Only the most severe emergencies require immediate attention from your orthodontist.
This isn’t an emergency, but it can be uncomfortable or embarrassing. It’s easily fixed with a piece of dental floss.
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 won’t last long.
You may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers to alleviate discomfort. A warm washcloth, heating pad, or warm salt water rinse may also reduce any soreness in your jaws.
Contact our Tucker or Marietta office to see if it needs to be replaced.
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.
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.
Try moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or eraser. If the wire doesn’t move, try covering the end with a small piece of cotton or a small amount of wax.
You’ll need to make Dr. Kim aware of the problem. If the wire is extremely bothersome and you can’t come into the office anytime soon, you may clip the wire as a last resort.
Cut it with nail clippers or scissors that have been properly washed and sterilized.
If your braces come loose in any way, call our office 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.
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, examine your braces for problems resulting from the missing piece, such as looseness or irritation, and treat them as specified above.
If you can’t see the piece and believe you may have inhaled it, call NK Orthodontics immediately.
