Orthodontics First Aid
Wearing dental appliance is not that easy. Be it braces or retainers, you need time to adjust to it and it takes practice to remove and replace those elastic bands every day. Aside from that, you need to make sure that you are consistent in practicing good health habits especially during the treatment period to get rid of food particles in your mouth which when left there for an extended period can cause bacteria to accumulate and cause tooth decay.
General or common problems encountered by a patient during the treatment period include irritation or sores due to protruding wire, rubber spacing falling off, loose bracket and cracked retainers to name a few.
Here are some first aid tips on what to do when you encounter orthodontic challenges:
• Protruding wire. Get a spoon or pencil eraser and try to bend the wire until it reaches a position that you are comfortable in. If that is hard to do or not possible, place a piece of cotton over it to ease the irritation until you get a dental appointment.
• Sore gums or teeth. It is normal to feel pain or sore after visiting your orthodontist either for check up or adjustment. Take pain reliever medicine like Ibuprofen, Aspirin or Tylenol.
• Loose bracket. This can happen to anybody wearing braces. Sometimes bracket flips around the wire and make you feel uncomfortable. If it is possible, reposition the loose bracket using a pair of tweezers. This will lessen the irritation until you reach the orthodontist’s office.
• Rubber spacer falls off. Get two pieces of dental floss and stretch both sides of the rubber spacer and place it on its original position. When the spacer has been refitted, slowly remove the dental floss by pulling it off carefully.
• Cracked retainers. If you experience this, don’t put back the retainers anymore. Just call your dentist to set up an appointment and bring the broken retainers. Do it as soon as possible so you can be refitted for a new one and the treatment proceeds without hassle.
• Bleeding. When you brush or floss and experience bleeding gums, there must be infection within the mouth. Go set up an appointment with your dentist right away if this happens so proper medication can be prescribed.
• Pain. Unusual and prolonged pain calls for a checkup and evaluation by your dentist. Call your dentist as soon possible so she or he can adjust the treatment details.
Whatever challenges come your way while wearing your braces or retainers, make sure that you stay calm and go see your dentist as soon as possible. It is important not to panic so you can apply these first aid tips to keep safe.
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