If you are an existing orthodontic patient, chances are that your West Hollywood orthodontics must have apprised you of the possible issues and orthodontic emergencies you might face with your braces during your treatment span. Although infrequent, their unexpected occurrence can cause discomfort and inconvenience. While it is always a good idea to follow precautions and guidelines about braces maintenance, get in touch with your doctor, at the earliest, if any of these orthodontic emergencies arise.
What Are Braces?
Braces involve placing small metal pieces on the teeth that are held together with a thin metal wire. The treatment procedure involves planned periodic visits to the orthodontics West Hollywood for wire adjustments and progress checks. What ensues is a set of well-aligned teeth and a beautiful smile. But if you happen to face any kind of orthodontic issues unexpectedly, here’s what you can do to mitigate the pain and discomfort.
List Of Common Orthodontic Emergencies
Listed below are some of the most widely experienced situations. Remember, every situation is different and may warrant a different action:
Poking Braces Wire
Chewing on hard or sticky foods, incorrect cleaning techniques, or a wire malfunction can result in pokey wire. As one end of the wire comes out of the dental bracket, it begins to hurt the inner cheek, gums, or inner lip area, depending upon the point of detachment. The condition can be uncomfortable and painful. A visit to the orthodontist is required to get it fixed permanently. Covering the open end of the wire with a generous amount of orthodontist wax will provide temporary relief. One may also place a piece of gauze at the pinch site.
Broken Bracket
The wrong choice of foods is the primary cause of damage to the dental bracket. The bracket may become loose or come off completely. Ignoring the condition is not recommended as one might accidentally end up swallowing the dental appliance. Get in touch with your orthodontist immediately to get the broken bracket fixed. Meanwhile, cover the sharp point with a wax coating for temporary relief.
Dislodged Rubber Bands
Rubber bands or elastic ligatures are used to hold the wire to the bracket. The dislodged and missing bands do not cause pain and discomfort. However, it is important to get them corrected at the earliest as it will reduce the efficacy of the orthodontic treatment.
Damaged Retainers
At the fag end of the treatment, Los Angeles Orthodontics prescribe a dental retainer to prevent the teeth from moving back into their original position. However, any kind of damage or breakage to the retainer can render it ineffective. Get in touch with the orthodontist to get the retainer fixed or replaced.
Loose Dental Appliance
One typically gets used to dental braces within a day or two. But if any of the orthodontic appliances feel loose or detached, it is advisable to get back to the doctor.
Mouth Ulcers And Sores
Braces are bothersome, especially if they rub against the inside of cheeks and lips. This can cause painful ulcers and mouth sores. Applying orthodontic wax to the problem area provides temporary relief. One might also require an over-the-counter analgesic in case the pain is unbearable.
Can We Avoid An Orthodontic Emergency?
Most orthodontic emergencies are a result of a callous attitude. Wrong eating habits, fidgeting with the braces, maintaining poor oral hygiene, or grinding the teeth are the key concerns. The best way to avoid any damage to the dental braces is to avoid any kind of crisis. This is easy and achievable. Just follow these simple tips to avoid any kind of damage to your braces:
- Avoid eating foods that fall under the ‘not recommended’ category. These are hard, sticky, and chewy foods.
- Follow the ‘to-do’ and ‘not-to-do’ guidelines.
- Observe proper oral hygiene and do not allow the food particles to remain stuck in the braces for long.
- Make sure you keep your mouth and dental brackets germ-free.
- Wear a mouthguard to protect your braces from any kind of damage while indulging in sports.
- To prevent possible damage caused due to unintentional grinding of teeth, wear a mouthguard while sleeping.
When To Call Your Orthodontist?
Not all orthodontic issues will require an immediate medical invention. Many orthodontic issues can be simply postponed until the next scheduled visit. But this will depend upon the type and magnitude of the problem. If there is no physical discomfort or the issue is sorted with minor adjustments, one can easily wait until the next visit. But if you feel that problem is significant, contact your orthodontist right away. A timely intervention helps prevent further damage and cut down any possible delays in the course of treatment.
Final Thoughts
Orthodontic emergencies can be troublesome. However, identifying the issues and being aware of how to manage them can help ease the stress and discomfort. As certain orthodontic issues are quite common, top-rated orthodontist clinics like the Personal Dental Office in Los Angeles give out an instructions manual to help you take care of your dental braces. If you are looking for the best orthodontist services around the Los Angeles area, get in touch with the experts at the Personal Dental Office, one of the best West Hollywood orthodontics.
