Orthodontic First Aid
Separators, Braces, Retainers
If your separators fall out, give us a call. If they fall out a day or two before your appointment we may not have you come in, but do call and we'll check and see if they need replacing.
If the wire budges out to the side, tuck it back in with your finger or an eraser on the end of a pencil. If the wire cannot be tucked in, cover the end of the wire with a small piece of wax, a cotton ball, or a piece of sugarless gum, until you can see us. Cutting the wire should only be done as a last resort if professional help is unavailable.
If the main wire has come out of the tube or pipe on the back molar tooth, you may attempt to reinsert the wire with a pair of needle-nosed pliers or tweezers. If you are having a difficult time and the wire is not sticking you, place a piece of wax over the area. If the wire is sticking you and wax does not help, the wire can be cut with a small wire cutter or nail clipper close to the back of the last bracket. Again, cutting the wire is a last resort.
If a bracket comes off it will remain connected to the main wire by a little rubber ring that is often colored. You may use a pair of tweezers to reposition the bracket if it flips around the wire and becomes a source of irritation. Call our office to inform us of your situation.
If a piece of your braces breaks, save the piece and call us to schedule a repair visit.
If you swallow any part of your braces, most of the time it will go in the stomach and pass out of the body in a bowel movement. However, if you experience difficulty in breathing you should seek immediate medical attention. X-rays will be taken to determine the position of the swallowed piece and your physician will counsel you on your options concerning retrieval of the stray piece.
If a retainer breaks, bring all the pieces to us for a professional repair.
If your teeth are sore after a monthly visit, take aspirin, tylenol, or ibuprofen unless you are allergic to them. Rinsing your mouth with a teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water can also be soothing. Placing a numbing agent on your gum such as Orabase-B can also help.
Cuts, Bleeding, Tooth / Jaw Injuries
If food becomes stuck between your teeth, use dental floss or a proxy brush (the brushes we give you when you get your braces on) to dislodge the food.
If you cut the inside of your cheek, gums or tongue, apply finger pressure to the bleeding site for several minutes. If the bleeding won't stop, call us or your family dentist.
If you break off part of your tooth, locate the broken piece and take it to your family dentist immediately. He or she can place a medication on the damaged tooth and can sometimes glue the broken piece back on.
If a permanent tooth is knocked out of your mouth completely, pick the tooth up by its top or crown, not by its root(s). Inspect the tooth. If the tooth is clean, place the tooth back into its socket immediately. If the tooth is dirty, rinse the tooth off by jiggling it in a cup of water or milk before placing it back in its socket. Do not scrub the tooth. Compare the appearance of the tooth to neighboring teeth to make sure it is not turned around backward. Hold the tooth in its socket and immediately go to your family dentist. If it is not possible for you to reinsert the tooth in its socket, place the tooth in a container of milk or cool water and carry it to your dentist immediately. If the tooth remains outside of the mouth for over 30 minutes, it will seldom survive.
If you think that you have broken your jaw, immobilize or support your jaw by any means (handkerchief, necktie, towel). If swelling is present, apply cold compresses. Call your family dentist or go immediately to a hospital emergency room. Have relatives bring any picture of your smile to the hospital to aid the surgeons in re-establishing your bite and smile.
