As COVID-19 continues to sweep across the nation and throughout the world, accomplishing normal tasks can be difficult, especially when told to practice social distancing and essentially, “stay home.” But what should you do if faced with an ortho emergency? Do you take care of it at home in hopes of not doing more harm or should you seek the help of your local dentist? To help you through this difficult time, learn when to stay at home and care for your injury and when to seek emergency assistance.
How to Handle Common Orthodontic Emergencies at Home
Most orthodontic emergencies can be easily managed while at home and do not require you to get in to see your dentist. But knowing how to handle them is another factor that causes most people to just make an appointment no matter how minor or severe the problem. Unfortunately, with COVID-19 keeping offices closed and people at home, it’s more important than ever to know how to take care of your oral health should an emergency arise.
To better understand what tools you need and how to handle these common ortho problems at home, spend some time reviewing the following scenarios:
- Food Stuck Between Teeth: While experiencing some discomfort, use a piece of dental floss and tie a small knot in the middle to help remove the food. You may also use an interproximal brush or toothpick.
- Ligature Comes Off: If this small rubber band comes off, it may be possible to put it back in place with sterilized tweezers. If you have wire ligatures and they begin to stick out, a Q-tip or pencil eraser can help to bend it back down to avoid irritation. However, if multiple ligatures are missing or broken, you will need to contact your dentist.
- Increased Discomfort: After having your wires adjusted or tightened, it is completely normal to experience some discomfort, but remember, it’s only temporary. Eating soft foods and rinsing with warm saltwater will help to minimize pain and have you feeling better in less time.
- Mouth Sores: If your braces are rubbing against sores that have developed in your mouth, the best thing you can do is apply a topical anesthetic onto the surface of the sore. Use a cotton swab to avoid additional germs being transferred from your hands.
- Soft Tissue Irritation: If you have new braces, you can expect some irritation to occur t your cheeks or lips. The best way to handle this is to use a small piece of non-medicinal wax. By placing it over your brackets, it will create a barrier, making it easier to eat comfortably.
- Wire Sticking Out: If a metal wire should come loose and protrude, this can cause much irritation to your mouth. Try to use a Q-tip or pencil erase to push it back down, so it is laying flat against the tooth. If this is not possible, use some wax to cover the wire. It will be necessary to alert your dentist, letting them determine if you need immediate care.
- Loose Bracket or Wire: If you’re not experiencing serious pain, there’s no need to rush to your dentist’s office. While you should alert your orthodontic team about the situation, it may be possible to cover it with wax to maintain comfort.
When to Seek Professional Help
Understandably, you may be hesitant to get help for an orthodontic emergency right now, especially as COVID-19 remains a serious problem across the globe. However, it’s also important not to forgo your emergency if it requires immediate care. If you are experiencing any of the following situations, do not hesitate to contact your dentist’s dental team. After alerting them to the problem, they will work to get you in as soon as possible:
- Swallowing a piece of appliance
- Metal bracket comes completely out of the mouth
- A facial injury that results in damage to the braces
Although orthodontic emergencies can be scary, you and your teenager should remain calm and attempt to resolve the situation as best as you can while at home. However, if you believe it to be a serious issue and want the assistance of a professional, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist’s office.
About the Author
Dr. Dalia Georgy earned her doctorate at the University of Oklahoma. In addition to being a general dentist, she has completed more than 200 continuing education credits and received specialty training in braces. She and her husband, Dr. Mohanna, oversee Glenpool Braces and want to see their patients achieve confident, healthy smiles. As the world continues to battle COVID-19, it can be difficult knowing how to handle an emergency should one arise. With many dental and orthodontic offices only seeing patients with serious injuries at this time, contact us via our website or by calling (918) 201-1414 should you need immediate assistance to care for your smile.