Do you have a broken bracket or a mishap with your braces? Call our orthodontic office as soon as possible if you or your child damages or loosens their braces or orthodontic appliance. Please don’t come directly to the office. Calling in advance ensures that we can properly get you on our schedule. Even if you already have an appointment on the calendar, call us right away if your child needs to have their braces repaired. A few of the most frequent orthodontic emergencies are:
Braces: Loose Brackets Or Bands
If your child or teen loosens a bracket or wire, call us right away. We may need to re-fit the bracket. During a nighttime or weekend event requiring that you cut a wire or slide a bracket off, please wash some fingernail clippers and then sterilize them in alcohol before using them to cut the wire. Call us the next business day so that we can make an appointment to see your child.
Braces: Wire Irritations
If your child feels discomfort from a wire on their braces, try to resolve it by moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or eraser. If the wire doesn’t budge, try covering its end with a small piece of cotton or a little wax. In the case of pain, please wash some fingernail clippers and then sterilize them in alcohol before using them to cut the wire. If your child still feels irritation, call us at the office to schedule an appointment.
Braces: Lost Separators
Sooner or later, most kids manage to lose a separator during their treatment. Please don’t worry about it, but do call our office to see if it needs replacing.
Discomfort from Orthodontic Treatment
During the first week after their braces are in place and routine adjustments are complete, your child or teen will likely feel some pain, soreness, or discomfort. You may give them acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while they adjust to their new braces. A warm washcloth or heating pad may reduce the soreness in their jaws.
