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- If a wire causes irritation, push the wire away from the area using the eraser end
of a pencil or a Q-Tip. If the wire cannot be tucked away, cover the end of the
wire with a small piece of wax, a cotton ball, or a piece of sugarless gum, until
you can see Dr. Way for an adjustment.
- If the main wire has come out of the tube or pipe on your back molar tooth, attempt
to reinsert the wire with a pair of needle-nosed pliers or tweezers. If the wire
is not sticking you, place a piece of wax over the area. If the wire is sticking
you and wax does not help, the wire can be cut with a small wire cutter or toenail
clipper close to the back of the last brace. This is a last resort if professional
help is unavailable.
- In case a rubber spacer falls out, take two pieces of dental floss and insert them
through the spacer. Pull on both pieces of floss to stretch the spacer, then slide
the spacer back and forth between the two teeth where it belongs. Once the bottom
half of the spacer slips under the tight spot between the teeth, release and remove
the floss and the spacer will fit back properly.
- If a bracket becomes loose, it usually remains connected to the main wire by a little
rubber colored ring. Eyebrow tweezers can be used to reposition the brace if it
flips around the wire and becomes a source of irritation. Call our office and inform
us of your situation.
- If a piece of your braces breaks, save the piece and call our office to schedule
a repair visit.
- Remain calm if you swallow a piece of your appliance. This will usually go either
into the stomach and pass out of the body in a bowel movement. However, if difficulty
breathing is experienced, you should seek immediate medical attention. X-rays will
be taken to determine the location of the swallowed piece.
- If a retainer cracks, remove the retainer from your mouth and bring all the pieces
to our office for professional repair.
- Take Tylenol or Ibuprofen (unless allergic) if your teeth are sore after a monthly
visit.
- Rinsing your mouth with a cup of warm water and teaspoon of salt can also be soothing.
If you teeth get sore suddenly in the middle of the month, give us a call because
it is unusual for the teeth to get sore several weeks after your last office visit.
- If food becomes stuck between your teeth, use dental floss or a proxy brush to dislodge
the food.
- If you cut your gums, tongue or the inside of your cheek, apply finger pressure
to the bleeding site for several minutes. If the bleeding won't clot, call your
orthodontist or family dentist.
- The healing of canker sores caused by a virus or by the irritation of your appliance
can be sped up by applying a hydrocortisone cream such as "Cortaid." This
can be .5% or 1% cream. A study published in the Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery
showed that the healing time can be significantly reduced and the cream is safe
to use intra-orally. We have seen the same results with our patients whom have used
this cream. Place a small amount of the cream on your finger or a Q-tip and apply
it to your canker sore several times a day until the sore is gone.
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