We make every effort to be certain your appliance is secure and comfortable. Your appliance is made of the strongest material available and bonded as securely as it can be. Please DO NOT subject your appliance/braces to anything other than normal force. No appliance, braces or bonding agent can withstand prying or bending forces. However, accidents can happen and we have some suggestions to help you if you have a problem between appointments.
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Problem:Something sharp is poking or rubbing your gums, lips or cheeks.
Problem: A bracket or band feels like it is moving around.
Problem: I have a sore spot, blister or ulcer under my removable appliance.
Problem: My teeth really ache all over and I can hardly chew.
Problem: The expansion screw on my removable appliance is bugging me, cutting into my gums, or catching on my tongue.
PROBLEM: Something sharp is poking or rubbing your gums, lips or cheeks.
POSSIBLE CAUSES:
1. A wire has slipped out the back of the last attachment.
2. A wire ligature has come untucked.
SOLUTIONS:
- Cover the sharp spot with ortho wax. We gave you some at your initial appointment or you can buy some in the dental department of any drugstore or grocery store.
- Clip the wire where it is sticking out. You can use a small pair of wire cutting pliers if you have some, or you can try using a nail clipper.
- A bent ligature wire (wire “thread”) can be pushed back in with the eraser end of a pencil.
PROBLEM: A bracket or band feels like it is moving around.
CAUSE: The band or bracket has become detached from your tooth.
SOLUTION:
Unless this is causing discomfort, it can probably wait until your next appointment. You may be able to cover the loose bracket with wax until you come in for a repair. This will prevent it from rubbing on your gums or cheek.
PROBLEM: I have a sore spot, blister or ulcer under my removable appliance.
CAUSE: Your appliance is rubbing on your gums.
SOLUTION:
- Try rubbing Orabase on the sore spot. Orabase is a topical anesthetic available in a small tube at any pharmacy. This will numb the area but not correct the cause. It is important to keep your mouth clean, do not stop brushing. Rinsing with warm salt water can help heal the area.
- Call for an appointment. Until you see us for an adjustment, you can try smoothing the tight spot on your appliance with wet/dry (black) sandpaper. You can get this sandpaper at Canadian Tire, Wal-Mart or Home Depot. Cut a 1” square of sandpaper and gently hold your appliance under running water while rubbing the sandpaper on the spot that seems to be digging in. It is important to keep wearing your appliance. If it is left out even for awhile, it will not fit properly.
PROBLEM: My teeth really ache all over and I can hardly chew.
CAUSE: Your braces or appliance have just been placed. As your teeth respond to the pressure they can ache for 1-3 days.
SOLUTION:
This problem will go away. In the meantime take an analgesic (pain killer) like Advil as long as you are not allergic. DON’T avoid chewing as this will make the discomfort last longer. Chew something soft, like sugarless gum. This will help to “massage” your teeth until they feel better.
PROBLEM: The expansion screw on my removable appliance is bugging me, cutting into my gums, or catching on my tongue.
CAUSE: As the expansion increases, things can get stuck in the opening.
SOLUTION: Fill in the expansion “gap” with orthodontic wax.
The best way to avoid uncomfortable problems is to FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS. Be careful what you bite into; keep your fingers and other objects out of your mouth. When something breaks, not only is it uncomfortable and inconvenient, it slows your treatment progress as well.