Emergency Information

There are very few true emergencies in orthodontic treatment. Most problems can be remedied at home. However, if you have a situation that you cannot resolve on your own, call the office for advice.

Call our office as soon as possible if you break or loosen and appliance. Please do not come directly to the office- by calling us, you allow us to create time to see you. Even if you have a regular appointment scheduled, call us immediately to notify us of the need to fix the appliance. If you have a breakage of a plate, or braces, you will be scheduled an appointment during the middle of the day. Patients who present at a routine adjustment with a breakage, will be rescheduled an appointment for a repair.

The majority of problems with orthodontic appliances are avoidable. The appliance, as well as the teeth, gums, tongue and palate should be kept clean. Many problems are caused by inadequate cleaning around bands and plates.

Maintaining a sensible diet helps to avoid breakages. Common sense will tell you which foods to avoid. Hard, sticky foods, high in sugar should be avoided. Hard foods can break or damage wires and brackets. Sticky foods can get caught between brackets and wires. Minimise sugary foods, they cause tooth decay and related problems. Nail biting, pencil and pen chewing, and chewing on foreign objects such as drink bottle tops should be avoided. Review the "No Eats List" for further advice.

Don't forget it is your treatment that you are delaying, and possibly compromising.

Sore Teeth

During the week after your braces are placed, and after routine adjustments, you are likely to feel some pain. This should soon pass. A soft diet is advisable. If the patient is allowed 'over-the counter' pain relievers, these may be effective. A warm cloth, heating pad or warm salty rinses may reduce soreness in your mouth. Self-ligating appliances are less tight that the previous braces with colours, but discomfort may still be felt.

Wire Irritation? Irritation to lips and cheeks

If your braces cause irritation, try moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or an eraser at the end of a pencil. If the wire will not move, try covering the end with a small piece of cotton, or a small amount of wax. If the wire results in significant discomfort, and you cannot attend the orthodontist in a reasonable amount of time, you can cut the wire with clean nail cutters. If you cannot resolve the irritation, call the office for a 'comfort appointment'. If you are susceptible to mouth sores, and your braces cause irritation, prompt relief may be achieved by applying a small amount of topical anaesthetic such as Kenalog in Orobase.