Quick Fixes For Problems With Your Braces
By Matthew Noyce | Published on February 11, 2011 | 0 Comments
As you will soon discover, your new braces will only lead to good things, including a healthier, straighter smile. However, since your braces will essentially become a part of you, you may find that it is in your best interest to prepare for what may come. And although very few patients experience any real orthodontic emergencies due to their braces, there may be some hiccups that you can solve along the way.
For starters, says Matthew Noyce DDS, you always need to be mindful of the foods that you choose to eat once you have braces. In fact, at Lake Country Orthodontics, all patients are provided with a detailed list of the foods that they should steer clear of for the time being. These include very chewy or sticky items such as gum, or anything that is hard, such as nuts, chewing on ice, or biting directly into an apple. If you go against your orthodontist’s recommendations and consume some of these items, you risk causing the brackets on your teeth to become loose and detached. Additionally, he explains, eating the wrong food could cause the wires of your braces to become loose and poke you in the cheek. More than anything else, this will become a nuisance for you.
While his recommendation is to make an appointment with your orthodontist if anything regarding your braces goes wrong, Dr. Noyce—who has dozens of patients in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin using braces –says that there are certain quick fixes that you can apply at home until you’re able to get to the office. Every patient of Lake Country Orthodontics, he explains, is sent home with a case of wax that is meant to help fill the spaces where wires from the braces are bothering you. Nail clippers can also be used to clip an extended wire, Dr. Noyce adds. Nonetheless, these are not long-term fixes and should not be used to substitute treatment from your orthodontist entirely.
If the brackets of your braces come loose, it won’t cause any real pain or pose a risk, but you probably will find it annoying. However, Dr. Noyce says, if you are using another oral appliance in addition to your braces that becomes loose, this is another reason to contact your orthodontist right away.
For the most part, you will be able to tell when an emergency is evident and when the oral wax that your orthodontist has given you will provide some temporary relief until you can get into the office. By following your orthodontist’s advice for keeping your mouth clean and safe, it is more than likely that your entire treatment will progress smoothly and without any emergency visits to your orthodontist’s office.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.