Orthodontic treatment ( First Aid )

Loose or Poking Wires
 

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 us for an adjustment.

If the main wire has come out of the tube on your back 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. As a last resort, if you cannot come into our office, the wire can be cut with a small wire cutter or toenail clipper close to the back of the last brace.

Loose Brackets or Bands
 

If a bracket becomes loose, it usually remains connected to the main wire by a little colored rubber 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 the problem.

If a piece of your braces breaks, save the piece and call our office to schedule a repair visit.
 

Herbst Appliances
 

If the rod and tube that connect the upper and lower parts of the appliance come apart, you can simply open wide and re-attach them.

If a screw comes loose, reattach the parts using the small hex wrench enclosed in your home care package. Call our office to schedule an appointment to check the re-assembly.

If one of the stainless steel crowns comes loose call our office at 520-742-1232 to schedule an appointment for repair.

Occasionally, swelling of one of the cheeks occurs a day or two after the Herbst is placed. Please call our office promptly if this occurs.
 

Lost Separators
 

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, and 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 You Swallow Something
 

Remain calm if you swallow a piece of your appliance. It will usually go 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.
 

Sore Teeth or Sore Gums
 

Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen if your teeth are sore after a monthly visit. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE TAKING ANY MEDICATION, PARTICULARLY IF YOU HAVE ANY HISTORY OF ALLERGIC REACTIONS.

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 doesn’t stop, call your family dentist.

Minor irritations and canker sores will heal much more quickly if you apply Zylactin™ according the manufacturer's directions. You can purchase it over the counter at most pharmacies and grocery stores.