Some minor problems can occur during your orthodontic treatment. These can be sore teeth and swollen gums, bent wires and broken brackets or broken or lost retainers. Most broken brackets and bent wires can be prevented by following the diet restrictions we outlined when the braces were placed. However even with the best of care accidents can happen. In some cases you will be able to fix the problem but in many cases you will need to contact the office to schedule an emergency appointment. Here are a few common problems that could occur during the course of treatment:

FIRST AID FOR BRACES OR RETAINERS

• If a wire is poking you, first try to bend it with a spoon or the end of a pencil eraser. If you are unsuccesful, place a small piece of relief wax over it until you can get in for an appointment for us to cut it
• If the arch wire comes out of a bracket or band, try to replace it with a pair of tweezers. If that is not successful try clipping it with a wire cutter or nail clippers. If it is still bothering you place relief wax to cover the area and call the office for an emergency appointment.
• If a bracket comes loose (the square metal brace glued on the front and side teeth) try removing it from the arch wire and call the office to make an appointment to have it repaired. If a band comes loose (the metal ring around the back molars) leave it in place and call the office to have it reattached. Do not try to connect a headgear or elastics to a loose band.
• After each orthodontic visit it is normal to have sensitive or sore teeth as they start moving into new positions. Please take the medication you would normally take for a headache. Rinsing the mouth with warm water with a teaspoon of salt dissolved in it will also help relieve some of the discomfort. Soft foods for the first 2 to 3 days after each adjustment visit will also help. If the discomfort gets progressively worse or remains the same after 4 days, please call the office.
• Small spaces often open up between the teeth especially in the first few months of treatment. This is entirely normal so don't panic! The teeth are spreading out as they align and we will eventually close all the spaces before the braces are removed.
• If a rubber spacer or separator falls out you can try to replace it your self by threading 2 pieces of floss through it and then floss it up and between the back molars. Please call the office to see if we should replace it.
• If a retainer is lost please call the office to see if it should be replaced and if we will have to take a new impression of the teeth to have the new one made. If a retainer is broken do not try to repair it yourself. Call to make an appointment for an impression so a new one can be made.
• If there is any swollen or bleeding gums when brushing there could be a local area of infection. Continue to keep the area clean by brushing, use the Prox-a-Brush between the teeth under the arch wire and rinse your mouth with warm salt water 3 to 4 times per day. If the area becomes painful or a bump develops on the gum over the tooth call the office.
• If some other type of dental emergency occurs such as a laceration, puncture wound, a broken or chipped tooth, a tooth knocked out or out of place, contact you family dentist or the Ottawa Dental Emergency Service (523-4185) as soon as possible. They can then advise you if you should see Dr. McWade if the braces are broken and need to be repaired.

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