orthodontic emergencies
There are very few true orthodontic emergencies. Most problems can be easily handled at home. However if the emergency includes trauma to the teeth please call your general dentist or Dr. Sekijima.
A Bracket is Knocked Off
Brackets are the parts of braces attached to teeth with a special adhesive. They are generally positioned in the center of each tooth. If the bracket is off center and moves along the wire, the adhesive has likely failed. Call our office to schedule an appointment to have it reattached. You may wish to put orthodontic wax around the area to minimize the movement of the loose brace.
If the braces have come loose in any way, call our office to determine appropriate next steps. Save any pieces of your braces that break off and bring them with you to your repair appointment.
The Archwire is Poking
If the end of an orthodontic archwire is poking in the back of the mouth, attempt to put wax over the area to protect the cheek. Call our office to schedule an appointment and have that clipped. In a situation where the wire is extremely bothersome and the patient will not be able to see Dr. Sekijima immediately, as a last resort, the wire may be clipped with an instrument such as fingernail clippers, taking care not to swallow the wire.
Irritation of Lips or Cheeks
Sometimes new braces can be irritating to the mouth. A small amount of orthodontic wax makes an excellent buffer between the braces and lips, cheek or tongue. Simply pinch off a small piece and roll it into a ball the size of a small pea. Flatten the ball and place it completely over the area of the braces causing irritation. If possible, dry off the area first as the wax will stick better. The patient may then eat more comfortably. Have the patient rinse the mouth with warm salt water. If the wax is accidentally swallowed it's not a problem. The wax is harmless.