First Aid
- If a rubber spacer fall out, take two pieces
of dental floss and insert them through the spacer. Then pull on
both pieces of floss to stretch the spacer and slide the spacer
back and forth between the two teeth where it belongs.
- When the bottom half of the spacer slips
under the tight spot between the teeth, release and remove the
floss and the spacer should now be back in place.
- If a wire is causing irritation. try pushing
the wire away from the area being irritated using the eraser end
of a pencil or the blunt side of a spoon. If the wire cannot be
tucked in, 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 your
orthodontist for a adjustment. Cutting the wire should only be
done as a last resort if professional help is unavailable.
- If your teeth are sore after a monthly visit
at your orthodontist, take aspirin, tylenol or ibuprofin unless
you are allergic to them. Rinsing your mouth with a teaspoon of
salt dissolved in a glass of warm water can also be soothing. If
you teeth get sore suddenly in the middle of the month, give your
orthodontist 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. It
sometimes helps to tie a small knot in the middle of the floss and
then slide the floss back and forth through the food mass.
- If a piece of your appliance breaks, save
the piece and call your orthodontist to schedule a repair visit.
- If you swallow a piece of your appliances,
try to remain calm. A swallowed piece will usually go either into
the stomach or the lungs. Most of the time it will go in 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 position
of the swallowed piece and your physicians will counsel you on
your options concerning retrieval of the stray piece.
- If a retainer cracks, bring it to your
orthodontist for a professional repair.
- If a permanent tooth get loose, call your
orthodontist to discuss the movement. A little movement is normal
when wearing braces, but if a tooth can be pushed upward towards
the gums with just finger pressure, that is unusual
