The best way to avoid orthodontic emergencies is to know how to take care of your braces properly throughout your entire treatment.
However, no matter how cautious you are or how well you take care of your braces, the wires loosen, the bands pop, or you experience orthodontic discomfort.
It is important to understand that a loose wire or loose bracket isn’t uncommon and isn’t an emergency but you are welcome to contact us for advice or to arrange an appointment.
It is very rare for a severe orthodontic emergency to occur.
Emergencies (discomfort, swelling, bleeding)
This usually results from a trauma to the face or mouth and these patients will be seen as soon as possible and appropriate care given or referred to another specialist for treatment.
Repairs (loss or breakage of bracket/wires/appliances)
These appointments are always scheduled during our quieter hours between 9am and 3pm as they are longer visits.
The vast majority of your appointments over the course of treatment will be short appointments.
By seeing our long-visit appointments during our quieter hours, we can accommodate more people in our schedule at busy times (8am-9am and 3pm-5pm).
Food
It’s important to avoid foods that can damage your braces. Most people wear braces for about two years.
All chewy, sticky, crunchy, and hard foods should be avoided during that time.
It is important to understand that a loose wire or loose bracket isn’t uncommon and isn’t an emergency but you are welcome to contact us for advice or to arrange an appointment.
While this may seem like a long time to go without popcorn or bubble gum, hard foods can break the brackets of your braces and sticky foods can bend the wires.
If a wire is poking into your cheek or lip and causing irritation, put wax or a wet cotton ball over it to dull the sharp edge.
Pain and Discomfort
Some discomfort is a normal part of orthodontic treatment, especially in the hours after the braces are placed on your teeth or after a recent tightening or adjustment.
Playing Sports
Just because you wear braces doesn’t mean you can’t play sports. You just need to take some extra precautions. Sports-related injuries to the mouth and jaw are common.
The best way to protect your mouth and your appliance is to wear a mouthguard.
There are several different types of mouthguards available, so be sure to ask Dr. Wilkinson what’s best for you.
Brushing and Flossing
In order to keep your braces in good condition and avoid orthodontic emergencies, it’s important to brush and floss thoroughly after every meal.
It’s easy for small particles of food to get trapped in your braces, and if the food isn’t removed, it gets wedged between the teeth and gums and causes plaque.
