Orthodontic Troubleshooting
Granite Coast Orthodontics supplies wax and hygiene products to all local school nurses, so if you need wax or have food stuck in your braces while at school, help is just a hallway away!
Oral Hygiene
If you experience a breakage or loosening of any of your appliances, please call our office as soon as possible. Calling us first will allow us to schedule a time to see you. If you have a scheduled appointment already, please call to let us know that you need something repaired so that we may add additional time to your appointment if needed.
If you need assistance after hours, please call our office phone line and leave a message on our emergency service so that we may contact you. Please be sure to leave your name, phone number with area code, and a brief message.
Review the topics below to troubleshoot some common non-emergency problems:
Discomfort or soreness
Non-prescription pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help with the temporary discomfort that sometimes occurs for the first day or two after an orthodontic adjustment. A diet of soft foods for a day or two can also be helpful.
Broken Brackets or Ligatures
If an orthodontic bracket comes loose or falls off, please call our office as soon as possible so that we can get the bracket repaired. If a rubber band ligature comes off, it may be possible to put it back in place using clean tweezers. If a wire ligature comes off, it can be removed using clean tweezers. If it is poking the mouth but is not loose, it may be possible to bend it back down away from the tissues with a Q-tip or clean pencil eraser.
Wire out of place
If a wire is out of place and poking the cheek, use a Q-tip or pencil eraser to push the wire against the tooth. If this is not possible, or if the wire is still uncomfortable, place wax over the end of the wire and call our office to set up a time to have the wire adjusted and put back into place.
Food stuck in braces
Dental floss, an interproximal brush, or a toothpick can be used for removing food that gets caught between teeth or wires. Sometimes tying a knot in the dental floss before threading it through the brackets can help to catch and remove the food.
Irritated cheek tissues or sores in the mouth
Non-medicated orthodontic relief wax can be placed over brackets or wires that may be irritating the mouth.
Rinsing with warm salt-water several times a day can help to heal sores in the mouth. To lessen discomfort, topical anesthetic treatments, such as Orabase or Ora-Gel, can be applied with with a Q-tip to any abrasions or sores in the mouth.
For minor sores in the mouth, Peroxyl, an antiseptic rinse containing hydrogen peroxide, can be used to reduce inflammation and prevent infection. Use Peroxyl up to 4 times per day after brushing. Refer to the product label for specific instructions.