When you start your smile journey with Straight Smiles Orthodontics, our team will be there to celebrate your amazing results and be ready to jump in in case of any issues that come your way. Your path to a beautiful, healthy smile is our top priority, which is why we are here for your orthodontic emergencies!
Ensuring A Healthy Smile For Years To Come
Protecting your dental health and orthodontic work for years to come can be accomplished in many achievable ways at home. Regularly brushing and flossing, along with other good habits like cleaning your tongue and swishing with mouthwash, keep your teeth clean and protected from disease.
Coming into our office for your regular checkups at Straight Smiles Orthodontics is essential so we can make sure your teeth are on the right track, and Dr. Tom and Dr. Nick can spot any issues because they become larger ones. It is also important to eat foods that best align with the appliance you are wearing to ensure your teeth continue shifting in the best direction.
Drinking water throughout the day protects you against tooth decay and plaque avoids staining, and even lowers your risk of gum disease. Each of these actions and more contributes to keeping your smile shining and in great shape!
Orthodontic Challenges During Treatment
General Soreness: With any procedure that alters your mouth, there is bound to be some degree of discomfort in order for the positive change to occur. In the first few days following the start of your smile journey with our team, your teeth begin to sense something different in your mouth and may feel tender.
Mouth Sores: Caused by metal or ceramic irritation against your cheeks or lips, you may encounter small canker-sore-like lesions on the inside of your mouth. A completely normal thing for many braces wearers to get early on in treatment is that they will be sensitive to the touch and minorly uncomfortable.
Swollen Tooth: Usually the symptom of a larger problem, swelling and tooth pain can cause a lot of discomfort. This can be caused by various factors related to treatment and easily temporarily cared for at home. We recommend you call our office to schedule an appointment to determine its severity.
Protruding Wire: As your teeth start to shift, it is possible for a wire to wiggle itself out of place. This issue can potentially cause irritation to the mouth, gums, and lips. If you try to return it to its place without success, you could cut your tongue.
Handling Issues At Home
The reassuring news is there are plenty of temporary at-home solutions to common orthodontic issues that can be handled by an adult!
To deal with both general soreness and swollen teeth caused by your orthodontic appliances, you can take non-prescription pain relievers to ease the discomfort. We also recommend temporarily sticking to soft foods so as not to further aggravate anything.
Mouth sores can be irritating but, luckily, are very treatable. You can apply topical gels to speed up healing or apply orthodontic wax to cover the braces section causing it. Each of the above issues can be helped by rinsing with warm salt water to provide some relief and get rid of any bacteria that may be lingering in your mouth.
Protruding wires can be bothersome but can easily be fixed at home by using sterile tweezers to prop them back in place and covering them with orthodontic wax to avoid cuts. If it continues to pop out, you may cut it at the base with nail clippers. Bring the cut wire with you, and it can be permanently fixed at your next appointment.
Essential Items for Emergency Situations
All being able to fit inside a small travel-size bag, Straight Smiles Orthodontics recommends you keep an emergency bag filled with items that may come in handy in the rare case of an emergency.
Orthodontic Wax
You can use wax to dull any sharp ends sticking out of your braces to avoid irritation or cuts on the inside of your mouth. The wax is harmless should you accidentally ingest it.
Non-Prescription Pain Relief
If you experience discomfort in your mouth or in your teeth from mouth sores, inflammation, loose wires, or the like, taking over-the-counter pain relief can help manage those symptoms. We understand addressing pain promptly and efficiently is important so you can continue going about your day.
Floss and Threaders
When a piece of food gets stuck in your braces, and it gives you trouble trying to get it out, having floss and a special threader to remove it can be a lifesaver! By going in between your braces where flossing as normal does not allow you to reach, it can get anything! For those who wear clear aligners, it is especially important to ensure you are placing your trays back in your mouth on a clean slate!
Nail Clippers
If you encounter a sharp wire that comes loose and cannot get it to stay in place, nail clippers can be used to clip it at its base to avoid irritation and potential cuts inside your mouth. When you are unable to see Dr. Tom and Dr. Nick to solve the issue, keep one handy to avoid cutting the inside of your mouth.
Toothbrush and Paste
Especially for clear aligner wearers, when you go out to eat and need to take your trays out to do so, a quick brush of your teeth and trays is essential to keep up with your hygiene. Similarly, if you accidentally eat something sticky and it gets stuck in your braces, the quicker you are able to remove it, the better.
We Are Committed To Your Smile Journey
Our goal is to make sure you feel confident in dealing with any scenario you encounter outside of our office. Your comfort and well-being are extremely important to us. Remember, Straight Smiles Orthodontics is just a call away to help you address any unexpected emergencies that may come your way. Contact our Shelby Township, Novi, and Rochester Hills practices to schedule your next appointment with Dr. Tom and Dr. Nick!