The 7 Best Practices for Managing Orthodontic Emergencies at Home

Hit by a sudden orthodontic emergency in the middle of spending time with your family? A loose bracket or proking wire can bring along a serious amount of stress. Orthodontic emergencies never come with a warning. While some issues might need professional treatments, you can handle others at home until you can see an orthodontist.

Read this blog to learn about the seven effective ways of managing these sudden emergencies at home and keep your treatment on track.

#1 Stay Calm and Assess The Emergency

Does your broken bracket or loose brace feel like a disaster? Well, it is not. Take a moment to check if the issue is minor. Ask yourself if you are feeling any pain, if anything sharp is poking your mouth, and if anything is detached. 

Understanding what’s wrong will help you take the right steps to manage the situation until you can see the dentist.

#2 Orthodontic Wax For Immediate Relief

A loose wire poking your cheeks and rubbing against your gums? Orthodontic wax can come to your rescue. Simply dry the affected area with some tissues, pinch a small piece of wax, and cover the irritated spot. This will create a smooth barrier to prevent cuts and discomfort.

See an Invisalign dentist in Nashua if you are in extreme pain.

#3 How To Handle Loose Brackets?

Your brackets can get loose if you bite on something hard or sticky. If your bracket is still attached but the wires feel loose, just avoid touching it at all. In case it has completely come off, store your brace in a clean container and take it to an Invisalign dentist in Nashua.

During this period, avoid eating any food item that might worsen your condition.

#4 Fixing Poking With Simple Steps

Annoyed by wayward wire? If a wire is poking the inside of your mouth, try to push it back with a clean cotton swab. Use orthodontic wax over the wire tip if you can’t make it budge. You can use nail clippers to trim the wire in some cases.

Try to see an orthodontist as soon as possible, as this wire might injure your mouth over time.

#5 Saltwater Rinse To Ease Soreness

You can experience orthodontic discomfort after adjustments. A warm salt water rinse can soothe your irritation and reduce swelling. Miz a tablespoon of salt with warm water and swish it for 30 seconds. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help ease your constant discomfort.

#6 Lost Brace Ligature

Ligatures are tiny rubber bands that hold your brace in place. They can sometimes snap or fall off, making the brace come loose. Use clean tweezers to out if back in place. If its lost completely the dentist can replace it during the next visit.

Until then, be a little careful when eating and avoid putting pressure on your brackets.

#7 Understanding A True Emergency

Most of your orthodontic mishaps can be managed at home. However, some situations do require immediate professional attention. If you are experiencing severe pain, have cuts because of loose wire, or have a completely detached brace, see a dentist immediately.

Braced and aligners can do a lot to perfect your smile. Still, you might need a little help sometimes to handle emergencies related to them. You can handle most orthodontic emergencies with some simple steps, but when in doubt, reach out to an orthodontist.

Experiencing issues with your orthodontic device? Schedule a consultation today!