Orthodontics Emergency Service
DISCOMFORT OR PAIN
After we place or adjust your braces, you may experience some discomfort or soreness. This is normal! Try rinsing with warm salt water or using a numbing gel on any sores that develop in your mouth. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help improve discomfort.
LOOSE BAND OR BRACKET
The bracket is the part of the braces attached to the center of the tooth. If the bracket is sticking out, sterilize a pair of tweezers and use them to slide the bracket along the wire. Move the wire to a position between two teeth. Then, you can rotate the bracket to an upright position. Next, you will slide it back along with the bracket until it is in the center of the tooth. If the bracket is no longer attached to the wire, bring it to your next appointment. If you need to have your braces repaired, give us a call. We will schedule you for an appointment if needed.
POKING WIRES
If a wire is poking you, use a spoon or eraser to bend it into a more comfortable position. Or, you can cover the poking end of the wire with wax. Then, call us to schedule an appointment to get the wire adjusted, so it is more comfortable!
DISCONNECTED LIGATURES
The ligatures are the small rubber bands or wires that attach the wire to the bracket. If a ligature comes off, use a pair of sterile tweezers to put it back in place. If a ligature becomes loose, you can remove it and then replace it with tweezers. If a wire ligature is sticking out, use a pencil eraser to bend it down so it no longer causes irritates the lip.
LOST TIE OR COLORED ELASTIC
If you have lost a tie or elastic, don’t worry! We can take care of it at your next appointment. But, if this results in a poking wire, give us a call to fix it.
LOOSE TEETH
It is normal for your teeth to feel a bit lose during orthodontic treatment. This is necessary for your braces to be able to move your teeth into the correct position. Once the treatment is complete, your teeth will no longer feel loose.
Pediatric Emergency Service
When your child has a dental emergency, Geneseo Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry is here to help. We provide your child and family with only compassionate and gentle care. We know dental emergencies are upsetting to our patients and their parents. If immediate care is necessary, we will make room for an appointment. We will make sure we can accommodate your child’s needs.
COMMON DENTAL EMERGENCIES
Two stages of a child’s life are common for dental trauma. The first is the toddler stage, when they begin exploring their surroundings. A toddler has newfound mobility, which can lead to falls or running into furniture. This can cause knocked out or broken teeth. The second stage of dental trauma is when adolescents take part in contact sports. Accidental falls or automobile accidents can also cause dental trauma at any age.
BROKEN OR KNOCKED OUT TEETH
When a tooth gets knocked out or broken, it can produce severe pain for children. The damaged teeth need immediate treatment to keep their vital tissues alive. If tooth restorations and pulpotomy do not save the tooth, extraction is necessary. This will help to preserve oral health. If your child has a broken tooth, we encourage you to call our office as soon as possible. We will arrange for treatment. When a tooth gets chipped or broken into pieces, try to save the pieces. This is especially important for broken permanent teeth. You can place the tooth pieces in milk to keep parts of the tooth alive until your appointment at our office.
CHILDREN’S TOOTHACHES
A toothache could be a signal of a deep cavity. The pain associated with tooth decay comes from the cavity intruding on the root canal. This is the hollow part of the tooth that contains nerve endings. If your child has a toothache, please call to schedule an appointment with our dentist. Give your child an over-the-counter analgesic such as Children’s Motrin or Tylenol. A cold compresses and rinsing with warm salt water can also ease discomfort. We will treat the toothache with a crown or filling an endodontic procedure known as a pulpotomy.
Call Geneseo Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry today at 585-245-0050 for emergency dental service.
