When you got your clear braces placed onto your teeth, they felt strong and secure. However, one day as you eat lunch, one of your brackets comes loose! What should you do? What steps should you take? Here are the things you should do if you experience an orthodontic emergency to not only address the problem but also get your treatment back on track.
Call Your Orthodontist
Once you identify what has gone wrong with your clear braces, your first step should be to call your orthodontist. They can not only tell you when they can see you to fix the issue, but they can provide valuable advice for dealing with the circumstances until you can come in.
Manage the Situation Temporarily
After hanging up the phone with your orthodontist’s office, you need to take steps to control your braces, meaning you need to do basic triage to minimize damage.
If you have a wire that is sticking out, it could harm the soft tissues inside your mouth. In this situation, use a cotton swab or pencil eraser to guide the wire back into place, but keep in mind that you may need to put dental wax over the end to avoid further harm. Should a sore develop, rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
If a bracket has broken off a tooth, don’t use superglue or any other kind of adhesive at home. Your orthodontist can reattach it safely. Just be sure to bring it with you when you go in to the orthodontist’s office.
If you have a band, or metallic ring that goes around a tooth, that comes loose, do not attempt to put it back over your tooth. Bring it to your orthodontist, who can reposition it correctly.
Actively Prevent Future Damage
The best action you can take for dealing with broken braces is to avoid the situation to begin with! Here are ways you can ensure your braces stay in good condition and continue working toward your perfectly straight smile.
- Do not eat hard or crunchy foods like raw carrots or apples.
- Avoid sticky candy, such as caramel or taffy.
- Cut your food into small bites.
- Eat softer foods like eggs, oatmeal, soft bread, and the like.
- Try to wear a mouthguard if you play sports that might involve a blow to the face.
In many situations, an orthodontic emergency isn’t so urgent that you must be seen right away, but following these steps can help you weather these issues without derailing your progress.
About the Author
As a board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Jessica Cohen underwent three years of additional training with the University of Illinois at Chicago on top of her dental degree, which she earned from Case Western Reserve University. She is also a mother of three young children, and she highly encourages early treatment for orthodontic issues. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cohen, you can contact her office in Highland Park through our website or by calling 224-427-6800.