Loose Bracket
Brackets are the ceramic or metal squares that are attached to the front of each tooth. They can become weak or break if you chew something hard or sticky. This can cause the bracket to come loose and poke into your cheek, gums, or tongue. Put orthodontic wax over the bracket to keep it from poking the inside of your mouth. This will make things relieve discomfort until you visit Drs. Burris, Fiegle, and Katie.

Broken or Protruding Wire
If a wire sticks out or becomes damaged, it can injure your gums, tongue, or cheek. You may use the eraser on the end of a pencil to push the wire back into position. If the wire will not move to a comfortable position, put a piece of orthodontic wax over the end of the wire. If a protruding wire has caused a sore, rinse your mouth with an antiseptic rinse or with warm salt water. This will clean the area and reduce discomfort.

We invite you to contact [practice_name] at [phone] today to learn more and to schedule an appointment. When you come into our office, our friendly orthodontists in [city], [state], may adjust, reposition, or reattach the existing brackets or wires. If necessary, brackets or wires will be replaced.

The post What to Do in Case of an Orthodontic Emergency first appeared on Winning Orthodontic Smiles.

– Eating foods that are advised against by our orthodontist
– An injury to the mouth
– Brushing incorrectly in some way
– Flossing too vigorously

In the case of an orthodontic emergency, there are certain first steps that Dr. [doctor_name] recommends that you follow.

Examine the Damage
First, check the extent of the damage. If the bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it in place.

Act
If the bracket is attached, but protruding, use a cotton swab to gently and carefully push it back into place. Orthodontic wax can be used to hold the bracket in its correct position until you can come to [practice_name]. If the wires are protruding, carefully press them back against the tooth and cover them with orthodontic wax to prevent an oral injury.

Schedule an Appointment
It is very important that you book an appointment with our [dr_type] in [city], [state], as soon as you can to have the bracket repaired. Let us know whether you will be bringing the parts of the bracket with you to your appointment.

Minimize Damage
In the time leading up to your visit, regularly rinse out your mouth with salt water to promote healing. In addition, eat soft foods to avoid further damage to your braces. Avoid foods that are hard or crunchy.

We welcome you to contact our office today at [phone] to learn more and to book an appointment.

The post First Response to a Broken Bracket first appeared on Winning Orthodontic Smiles.

•         Checking the bracket and wire: If the bracket is still connected to the wire, leave it there. It’s best that you place orthodontic wax around it so it doesn’t slide around and move. If your bracket is no longer connected to the wire, it’s best to take the bracket out of your mouth and bring it into the office with you during your next appointment.
•         Dealing with any poking wires: If there are wires that are poking you, it’s best to clip them as short as possible with fingernail clippers. You can also try putting the wire back into place with a pencil eraser or a Q-Tip.
•         Scheduling an appointment: It’s very important that you schedule an appointment as soon as possible. If you delay fixing the bracket, additional problems could occur and your treatment time could be lengthened.

Call our office today if you have any questions or if you would like to schedule an appointment to fix your broken bracket. We are happy to help you get back on the right track toward achieving your perfect smile!

The post How to Manage a Broken Bracket first appeared on Winning Orthodontic Smiles.