orthodontic emergencies

If your child has a dental emergency, we are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Call our office number 843.818.KIDS (5437)

When you call the office, if we are not open, you will hear the emergency telephone number. Please call that number, leave your message and the Dentist on call will contact you as soon as possible.

ORTHODONTIC EMERGENCIES

Most orthodontic ‘emergencies’ can easily be taken care of at home.  If the solution isn’t resolved, call the next business day and we can schedule an ‘emergency’ appointment if necessary.

Here are a few tips on caring for orthodontic emergencies.

WHAT TO DO IF ‘X’ HAPPENS?  Most orthodontic emergencies can be handled at home or until the next business day.  Here are some at home ‘fixes’ that can be done.

• Broken or Loose Bracket
  If the bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it in place and try to put wax on it.With this scenario or if the bracket is completely off, call the next business day and let us know and we will schedule you an appointment accordingly to have it rebounded. 


• Loose Wire
  Try putting the wire back into the tube w/ tweezers. If you aren't able to reinsert the wire, clip the wire using fingernail clippers, small scissors or small wire cutters behind the last tooth to which it is still attached. Wax can then be used if wire is rubbing.


• Poking Wire (Wire irritation)
  
Sometimes discomfort caused by a wire on your braces can be resolved by moving the wire away from the irritated area with an eraser. If the wire will not move, try covering the end of it with a small amount of wax. If the wire is painful, you can cut it with nail clippers or scissors that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. If you cannot resolve the wire irritation, call our office the next business day and we can schedule an appointment to come in and clip the wire for you. 


• Sore Teeth
  Rinse with warm salt water and take Tylenol or Advil as necessary. Soreness is very common after the initial placement of brackets and monthly adjustments. Some patients compare it to having a headache or loose tooth; this is just part of getting used to having braces.

• Mouth Sores (Ulcers)
  Rinse with warm salt water to aid healing and cover any rubbing areas with wax.  You can also purchase Peroxyl over the counter.

Using Wax
Roll a small piece of wax into the shape of a ball. Dry the area completely with a Q-tip or cotton ball. This is very important the wax will not stick if the area is wet at all. Simply shape the ball of wax over the irritating bracket or wire.