Orthodontic treatment is a journey towards a beautiful, healthy smile, but occasionally, unexpected orthodontic emergencies may arise. While it is essential to seek the advice of your orthodontic professional, there are some at-home remedies that can provide temporary relief while you wait for your appointment.
At Bailey Orthodontic, we understand how important it is to protect your braces between appointments, especially when faced with orthodontic emergencies. If you’re waiting for your appointment with your orthodontist but would like some temporary relief, keep reading to see which emergencies you can temporarily treat.
1. Loose or Poking Wires
A loose or poking wire happens when the archwire, which is the wire that runs through the bracket of your braces, is not securely attached or is causing discomfort by poking into the soft tissue of your mouth. If the wire is irritating your gums or cheek, here is what you can do to alleviate the discomfort:
- Push It Back: Using the eraser end of a pencil or a cotton swab, gently push the wire back into place.
- Cover with Wax: Apply orthodontic wax over the protruding wire to create a temporary buffer between the wire and your cheek.
2. Loose Bracket
A loose bracket refers to the small attachments that are bonded to your teeth and hold your archwire in place. They play an important role in your orthodontic treatment by guiding the movement of your teeth. If your bracket becomes loose, consider doing the following:
- Leave It In Place: If the bracket is still attached to the wire, it is best to leave it as is. You may use orthodontic wax to stabilize it temporarily.
- Save the Bracket: If the bracket comes off completely, put it in a safe container and bring it with you to your next orthodontic appointment.
3. Mouth Sores or Ulcers
It isn’t uncommon for the friction between your brackets and soft tissue to cause mouth sores. The wires and brackets may also irritate the inside of your cheek or lip, leading to ulcers. If you’re dealing with mouth sores or ulcers, you should try the following:
- Saltwater Rinse: Rinsing your mouth with salt water is the best way to soothe any irritation in your mouth.
- Topical Relief: If saltwater rinses aren’t enough to treat your sore or ulcer, consider trying an over-the-counter oral gel or cream.
4. Discomfort or Soreness
Your braces work by gradually moving your teeth, causing pressure on the bones. This pressure can cause inflammation, resulting in some discomfort or soreness. As your mouth adjusts to your braces, the discomfort typically diminishes. To help you handle this discomfort while your mouth adjusts, consider the following at-home treatments:
- Pain Relievers: Your orthodontist may recommend taking pain relievers to help alleviate any discomfort. Follow their advice when taking over-the-counter pain relievers.
- Saltwater Rinse: In conjunction with over-the-counter pain relievers, rinse your mouth with a saltwater rinse 2-3 times a day to help soothe your discomfort.
5. Protruding Wires
While you might think this is similar to poking wires, protruding wires occur when your archwire extends beyond the last bracket on the tooth. This may happen if your wire is longer than necessary or if your bracket detaches from your tooth. If you have a protruding wire, try the following:
- Gently Tuck It Back: Using a clean pair of tweezers, carefully tuck the wire back into place.
- Apply Wax: Using orthodontic wax, cover the sharp end of your wire to prevent it from causing any additional irritation.
Important Tips
While there are many things you can do at home to provide temporary relief from irritation, it is important to know when to reach out to your orthodontic team for help. These treatments for orthodontic emergencies should only be used to protect you and your teeth until you can see your orthodontist for a more comprehensive treatment.
While these at-home treatments can provide temporary relief, you shouldn’t try to perform a DIY adjustment to your braces. Attempting to do this by yourself may lead to further complications and more severe orthodontic emergencies.
If you’re dealing with orthodontic emergencies but aren’t sure how to treat them to protect your teeth and braces, it is always best to consult with your orthodontic team. They can offer guidance and provide you with specific instructions to protect you until you come into the office.
Call Bailey Orthodontics for Orthodontic Emergencies
We understand how frustrating or daunting it can be to deal with orthodontic emergencies at home, but with the help of a wonderful orthodontic team, these emergencies can clear up quickly and easily. No matter how big or small your orthodontic emergencies are, our team at Bailey Orthodontics is always ready to help. With years of experience helping our patients through a variety of emergencies, we’re confident that we can help you protect your teeth until your next orthodontic appointment.
With our newly renovated space in Farmington, Utah, our team is ready to help you through your orthodontic emergencies in this new and improved space. If you have any questions or aren’t sure how to handle an orthodontic emergency on your own, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team in Bountiful or Farmington today.
