An orthodontic emergency is when there is a malfunction or damage to a set of braces. One of the key contributors to a damaged orthodontic appliance is eating the wrong types of foods.
Although orthodontic emergencies aren’t necessarily considered common, it’s still possible to have unexpected issues requiring your specialist’s assistance to address. For example, you might accidentally break a bracket on your braces or develop sores in the tender tissues inside your mouth that become infected.
Types of Orthodontic Emergency
A proven way to correct misaligned, gapped, crowded or crooked teeth is with traditional braces. Thus, when you’re fitted with them, you’re on track to improving your oral function, functional balance, and appearance. Unfortunately, your treatment can be side-tracked by an orthodontic emergency.
Here are some of the most common orthodontic emergencies:
Broken Brackets
Broken brackets are a common orthodontic emergency. Braces brackets are cemented to your teeth when you first get them and are meant to stay in the same position for the duration of your treatment. They are designed to hold the wires that pull your teeth into alignment in place and thus do not need to move.
Unfortunately, however, sometimes they can come off, especially if you’re eating something too crunchy or hard.
Ligatures Come Off
The ligatures are the small round donut-shaped elastic parts used to keep the wire and brace together. A major culprit for dislodging them is eating sticky foods. If this happens you can try using a pair of tweezers to put them back in place. If you’re not successful, just reach out to your orthodontist to schedule a visit.
Brace Is Knocked Loose
During a sporting event a brace, the part that is affixed to each tooth, can be knocked loose. Another cause for it being dislodged is eating hard food. This will require a visit to your orthodontist to repair the problem.
Protruding Wire
When a wire is protruding out the end of the last brace, it can scrape your cheek and cause irritation. One remedy you have is to use the wax that your specialist will provide for you. Just place it on the end to soften the contact with your cheek. If that doesn’t work, you can contact your orthodontist to schedule an appointment.
Swallowed Braces or Pieces
Although this is a very rare occurrence, if it happens be sure to contact your orthodontist immediately. Usually, the pieces will pass through your system, but it’s best to have your specialist in the loop to provide guidance.
Discomfort
Having discomfort during orthodontic treatment is completely normal, but if it lasts for more than a few days, contact your orthodontist. You can rinse your mouth with saltwater and take over the counter pain medication to manage your discomfort. Additionally, watch out for foods that are hard to chew because they could cause pain.
Lost O‑Rings
Did you lose an O-ring? O-rings are tiny rubber or metal bands that hold the wire for braces in place in your bracket. In some cases, these can fall off or become loose. For rubber bands, simply use clean tweezers to place it back on your smile.
However, metal o-rings may be harder to deal with. In some cases, you may be able to bend it back into place if it’s loose, but if it has come off of your smile, call your orthodontist for the proper next steps.
Protruding Wires
Ouch! One of the most common problems that can occur is protruding wires, which can catch and cut the inside of your mouth. Sometimes, the end of a wire will work itself out of place and stick out.
If this occurs, you can use a Q-tip or clean tweezers to bend the wire flat and avoid discomfort. If the wire can’t be moved, try putting some dental wax on the end to make it smooth. This will provide you with comfort by avoiding the jagged edge of the wire.
Mouth Irritation
Irritation in your mouth can occur because of the design of braces, especially when chewing. If your braces are causing you irritation, try using orthodontic wax to create a buffer between the metal brackets and your mouth.
This wax is easy to apply. You simply grab a piece, roll it into a pea-sized ball, and then flatten it onto the affected areas. If you don’t have any wax from your orthodontist, you can usually find it at any local drugstore.
Ways to Lower the Risk of Orthodontic Emergencies
So you’ve been equipped with a set of braces and are eager to achieve long-term health and facial harmony, but something bad has happened – you’ve broken them, and you’re wondering what you should do.
The first step is to reach out to our team in Heath, Mt. Vernon, or Columbus to get the guidance and help that you need.
While you can’t predict when you might have an urgent oral concern, there are thankfully several ways you can prevent one from occurring in the first place.
Orthodontic Wax
Braces are the tried-and-true solution for addressing everything from minor to more severe misalignments because they allow your provider a greater ability to manipulate the range of motion than other services do. However, the metallic gear it relies on is notorious for leaving cuts or blisters on the insides of your cheeks, lips, or gums.
You can avoid this by placing a small amount of special orthodontic wax over the sharp corners of the square brackets or clipped ends of wires so they’re less likely to cause any wounds or injuries. This wax can sometimes also be used to temporarily anchor a destabilized or broken bracket until you can arrive at your provider’s office to have it repaired.
Dietary Decisions
Many orthodontic services require that patients avoid certain foods that are problematic for their treatment. For example, you shouldn’t be eating anything too hard or sticky with braces because you could push or yank them out of place, which can interrupt your treatment timeline until it’s fixed.
Be sure to avoid foods such as:
- Anything hard or crunchy (pretzels, crackers, chips, and crusty breads)
- Chewy foods (caramels, gummies, taffy, and chewing gum)
- Crunchy raw fruits and veggies
Sticking to the provided list of dietary restrictions helps you stay on track so you’re more likely to complete your treatment at the anticipated time.
If you get food caught in your braces, be extremely careful trying to remove it. Be sure to only use a soft-bristled toothbrush, dental floss, or a small braces brush. Never use toothpicks or any other sharp implement to dislodge food or debris from your mouth. You can also try a water flosser or mouthwash to help loosen it.
Build an Emergency Kit
Keeping some basic supplies in an easily accessible case ensures that you’ll have what you need if anything happens.
Some helpful items to include are:
- Orthodontic wax
- Travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste, including interproximal brushes
- Floss or floss threader
- Topical anesthetics, like numbing gels
- Lip balm
- Bottled water
- Cold compress
- Over-the-counter pain medications, like Tylenol or ibuprofen
- Contact information for your orthodontist’s office
Brush, Floss, and Wear a Mouthguard
If you play sports, speak to your orthodontist about ways to protect your smile while you wear your braces, such as a specialized orthodontic mouthguard, which can absorb the impact of possible collisions.
Another practice that will improve the lifespan of your braces is to thoroughly brush and floss your teeth. Along with the protection of your long-term health and functional balance that excellent oral hygiene provides, it will also remove any food that may have gotten lodged between your teeth and could later cause a break.
Proactively Caring for Clear Aligners
If you have clear aligners, be extra careful not to break. During cleaning, put down towels on the sink and floor to break their fall if you drop them. In order to maintain their appearance and function, clean your aligners with a soft-bristled toothbrush, water, and clear hand soap.
Be sure to avoid using hot water because it can permanently warp the plastic. If you finish your treatment while your orthodontist is closed, continue to wear the last aligners in the series until you can get an appointment.
Acting Swiftly When Emergencies Occur
Remember, accidentally breaking a braces bracket is bound to happen, but when it does, you need to act swiftly to have it repaired if you want your treatment progress and functional results to stay on schedule, so contact your orthodontist as soon as possible.
Caring for your braces doesn’t have to be difficult! Remember these helpful tips and use your time wisely by maintaining your braces to ensure your treatment progress stays on track.
Emergency Tips for Halloween
One of the great fall celebrations is Halloween—a time when children use their imaginations to become their favorite characters for a night. Also exciting for them is the chance to enjoy the chocolates, taffy, nougat, and other flavors that are in abundance.
However, at Wigal & Kluemper Orthodontics, we know that these treats can sometimes pose a risk to your treatment progress. Our board-certified specialists in Heath, Mt. Vernon, and Columbus want to ensure that your child’s journey toward functional balance and long-term health stays on track.
To prevent an unexpected emergency and protect your child’s facial harmony, follow these 4 helpful tips for a safe and fun-filled holiday!
- Keep the Right Candy Handy: If your child eats candy, it’s best to have options that are very soft and chewy like chocolate or cookies.
: - Check the Candy Bag: Before your little one consumes any candy collected, be sure to check the collection bag to make sure there is nothing that will harm his or her braces.
- Make Your Own Snacks: A way to have more control over what your child eats, is to prepare your own orthodontic-friendly snacks. Two options that most kids love are cupcakes and brownies – both less likely to harm braces.
- Encourage Oral Hygiene: Another problem with candy consumption is the sugar content, which can lead to bacteria growth and cavities. Furthermore, lingering particles can eventually compromise the appliance and your long-term functional balance. Thus, it’s important to monitor your child’s brushing and flossing after eating any snacks.
By keeping these tips in mind, you and your little one will be able to enjoy a fun-filled, ghoulish and ghostly night that will be etched into your memories for years to come!
To learn more about how to properly take care of braces, reach out to our board-certified specialists in Heath, Mt. Vernon, or Columbus today!
