Emergency Solutions

Food Caught Between Teeth

This is not an emergency, but can be a little uncomfortable or embarrassing for the braceswearing patient It is 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 teeth and braces.

Ligatures Come Off

Tiny rubber bands or small, fine wires, known as ligatures, hold the wire to the bracket. If a rubber ligature should come off, you may be able to put it back in place using sterile tweezers. If a wire ligature comes loose, simply remove it with sterile tweezers. If the wire ligature is sticking out into the lip but is not loose, it may be bent back down with a Q-tip or pendl eraser to eliminate the irritation. Of course, when one ligature pops off or breaks, others may follow Be sure to examine all ligatures. Missing or broken ligatures should be brought to the attention of the patent’s parent/guardian, who should then inform the orthodontist If a rubber or wire ligature is lost, notify the parent/guardian so that the orthodontist may advise whether the patient should be seen.

Discomfort

It’s normal for a patient to have discomfort for a day or two after braces or retainers are adjusted. But it can make eating uncomfortable Reassure the patient that the discomfort is both normal and temporary. Encourage soft foods. Have the patient rinse the mouth with warm salt water. If the patient does not have any allergies to the medications, over-the-counter pain relievers (aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen) may also be taken per the instructions of the medication’s label. Any pain relievers should only be needed for the first few days after the braces have been adjusted.

Mouth Sores

Some patients are susceptible to episodes of mouth sores. While braces do not cause them, they may be precipitated or exacerbated by an irritation from braces. One or several areas of ulceration of the cheeks, lips or tongue may appear. This is not an emergency, but may be very uncomfortable for the patient. Prompt relief may be achieved by applying a small amount of topical anesthetic (such as Orabase or Ora-Gel) directly to the ulcerated surface using a cotton swab. Instruct the patient to reapply as needed.

Irritation of Lips or Cheeks

Sometimes new braces can be an irritation to the mouth, especially when the patient is eating. A small amount of non-medicinal relief wax makes an excellent buffer between metal and mouth. 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. The patient may then eat more comfortably. Let the patient know that if the wax is accidentally ingested, it’s not a problem. The wax is harmless.

Protruding Wire

Occasionally, the end of a wire will work itself out of place and irritate the patient’s mouth. Use a Q-tip or pencil eraser to push the wire so that it is flat against the tooth. lf the wire cannot be moved into a comfortable position, cover it with relief wax. (See irritation of Lips or Cheeks above for instructions on applying relief wax.) The patient’s parent/guardian will need to make the orthodontist aware of the problem. In a situation where the wire is extremely bothersome and the patient will not be able to see the orthodontist anytime soon, you may, as a last resort, clip the wire. Reduce the possibility of the patient swallowing the snipped piece of wire by using folded tissue or gauze around the area. Use a pair of sharp dippers and snip off the protruding wire. Relief wax may still be necessary to provide comfort to the irritated area.

Loose Brackets, Wire or Bands

If the braces have come loose in any way, the parent/guardian needs to be notified, and they should call the orthodontist to determine appropriate next steps.

Brackets are the parts of braces attached to teeth with a special adhesive. They are generally positioned in the center of each tooth. The bracket can be knocked off if the patient has eaten one of those hard or crunchy foods orthodontic patients are instructed to avoid, or if the mouth is struck while at play (Encourage all patients, especially those with braces, to wear a protective mouth guard while playing sports).

If the bracket is off center, the adhesive may have failed. Call the parent/guardian, and recommend that they immediately notify the orthodontist, who will detemine the course of action.

If the loose bracket has rotated on the wire and is sticking out and the patient cannot immediately be taken to the orthodontist, you can do a temporary fix to alleviate discomfort and prevent further damage. But take care to prevent swallowing or other injury. To put the bracket back in place, use sterile tweezers to slide the bracket along the wire until it is between two teeth. Rotate the bracket back to the proper position, then slide it back to the center of the tooth.

Piece of Appliance is Swallowed

This is rare, but when it does happen, it can be fairly alarming to the patient. Encourage your patient to remain calm. If the patient is coughing excessively or having difficulty breathing, the piece could have been aspirated. If you are able to see the piece, you may carefully attempt remove it. But do not make the attempt if you could cause harm. If appropriate under the circumstances, examine the patient’s braces for problems that may result from the missing piece, such as looseness or irntation, and treat as specified above. Adapted from material provided by the American Association of Orthodontists Photographs courtesy of the American Associatbn of Orthodontists and The Canadian AssociaIbn of Orthodontists www.braces.org

If any of the bracket/bands on the last tooth get loose and wire hanging down

Cut the long piece of wire that is not attach to the bracket with small sharp pliers OR use a nail clipper to cut them until you see us. For poking wire, please try to see with a mirror and good lighting which part is poking then try to push the poking wire using eraser tip of a pencil OR small Q Tips.