Your Guide To Orthodontic Problems

Mild issues that can be handled at home or wait until your next scheduled visit.

Severe trauma or damage to the teeth or mouth, abnormal/persistent bleeding, severe pain, swelling or signs of infection.

Situations involving significant bleeding, facial trauma or difficulty breathing require immediate medical attention. In these cases, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room without delay.

Discomfort is normal for a day or two after any adjustments to braces or retainers. Dr. Minera recommends taking over-the-counter pain medication right before and after adjustment appointments. This way, the medication is already in your system before the discomfort begins and is more effective. Until the discomfort goes away, stick to soft foods and only drink water.

While getting used to new braces or appliances, they can irritate the mouth, particularly when eating. Orthodontic wax can provide relief from these. To use it properly, roll a small ball of wax between the palms of your clean hands. Flatten it and completely cover the area that is causing discomfort. This creates a buffer between metal and your mouth. Typically, the wax will fall off on its own within a few hours. If a little is ingested by mistake, don’t worry. It is harmless.

Sometimes, a wire can become loose and poke the inside of your mouth, causing irritation. Use a Q-tip, pencil eraser, or similar tool to push the wire flat against the tooth to relieve discomfort. If the wire cannot be pushed flat, cover it with orthodontic wax to create a barrier between the wire and mouth. Then, give us a call to let us know about the situation.

If the wire is still causing irritation, can’t be moved and orthodontic wax is not helping, give us a call. If you can’t make it in for an appointment, use either wire clippers or nail clippers to snip the wire, placing gauze or a cotton ball underneath it to prevent the wire from being swallowed. You may still need to use orthodontic wax afterwards to protect against further irritation.

If you have lost or broken your orthodontic appliances or retainers, please give our office a call. Hold onto any broken pieces as we may be able to repair them. If it’s completely lost, we’ll need to replace it.

These orthodontic problems are fairly common and typically are not urgent. Call our office so that we can replace them and you can stay on track to your new smile.

If a bracket or band has become loose or broken, give our office a call to determine the severity of the problem and discuss next steps. Typically, these issues are not urgent, and you can use orthodontic wax to cover any sharp or pointy parts to protect your mouth from irritation.