Orthodontic Associates

Handling Orthodontic Emergencies at Home

What can you eat??? Lots of things, so let's talk about what you shouldn't eat! During your time in braces avoid food that you have to bite into: corn on the cob, whole apples, and raw carrots. You may cut the corn off of the cob and eat it that way. With other items, slice into very small pieces and place in your mouth. Also avoid hard and sticky foods like gum, caramels, nuts, and popcorn. Chewing on hard items (pens, pencils, fingernails) and the foods mentioned above can damage your braces and wires. This can cause treatment to take longer. Of course from time to time a bracket may become loose or a wire is poking. Always call us and we will promptly schedule you an appointment for necessary repairs. There are some things you can do at home to stay comfortable until your appointment.

Poking Wire: Occasionally the end of a wire will work itself out of place and irritate the patient's mouth. Use a Q-tip or pencil eraser to push the wire so that it is flat against the tooth. If the wire cannot be moved into a comfortable position, cover it with some dental wax.

Irritation of Lips or Cheeks: Sometimes new braces can be irritating to the mouth, especially when the patient is eating. A small amount of relief wax makes an excellent bufer between metal and mouth. Simply pinch off a small piece and roll into a ball the size of a small pea. Flatten the ball and place it completely over the area of the braces causing irritation. Not to worry if the wax is accidentally ingested. The wax is harmless.

Remember: Always give us a call and we will get you scheduled to make you comfortable!