Broken Braces? Your Emergency Orthodontist of Heath, OH Has Solutions

So you’ve been equipped with a set of braces and are eager to correct your smile, but something bad has happened – you’ve broken them, and you’re wondering what you should do. Your emergency orthodontist of Heath, OH says the first step is to reach out to your local professional to get the guidance and help that you need. As you continue reading, you’ll learn more about the different ways your dentist has to fix your broken braces and strategies to prevent emergencies.

What Causes Orthodontic Emergencies?

• Ligatures (small bands) come off – The ligatures are the small round donut shaped elastic parts used to keep the wire and brace together. A major culprit for dislodging them is eating sticky foods. If this happens you can try using a pair of tweezers to put them back in place. If you’re not successful, just reach out to your dentist to schedule a visit.
• Brace is knocked loose – During a sporting event a brace, the part that is affixed to each tooth, can be knocked loose. Another cause for it being dislodged is eating hard food. This will require a visit to your orthodontist to repair the problem.
• Protruding wire – When a wire is protruding out the end of the last brace, it can scrape your cheek and cause irritation. One remedy you have is to use the wax that your dentist will provide for you. Just place it on the end to soften the contact with your cheek. If that doesn’t work, you can contact your dentist to schedule an appointment.
• Swallowed braces or pieces – Although this is a very rare occurrence, if it happens be sure to contact your orthodontist immediately. Usually, the pieces will pass through your system, but it’s best to have your dentist in the loop to provide guidance.

How to Prevent Orthodontic Emergencies

One way to prevent orthodontic emergencies is to avoid eating sticky foods, and if you or your child participate in sports, the safe route to take is to wear a mouthguard to absorb the possible collisions.

Another practice that will improve the lifespan of your braces is to thoroughly brush and floss your teeth. Along with the protection from tooth decay and gum disease that excellent oral hygiene provides, it will also remove any food that may have gotten lodged between your teeth and could later cause a break.

Your experience of straightening your teeth should be an enjoyable one. But if any of the above problems occur, you now have enough information to take the initial steps to correct them. And remember that for any other questions or concerns you may have, your dentist of Newark, OH is available to guide you back to normal.

About the Author

Dr. Timothy G. Wigal earned his DDS degree from the West Virginia University School of Dentistry and afterwards completed a three-year residency program that focused on orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. Delivering customized care to each patient, Dr. Wigal practices at Wigal Orthodontics and can be reached for more information through his website.