First aid for problems with braces

With fixed braces

What to do if...

... a bracket has become detached from the tooth

If you accidentally bite down on something hard, it can happen that a bracket becomes detached from the tooth. If the bracket is then no longer firmly attached to the archwire, please try to remove it so that it is not accidentally swallowed. Please make an appointment with us as soon as possible so that the tooth without the bracket does not move in an undesirable direction and we can attach a new bracket.

... the end of an archwire sticks into the cheek

An archwire end that protrudes too far from the last bracket behind the last tooth can sting the cheek very painfully. Try to cover the end of the archwire with some protective wax. You will receive this wax from us at the beginning of the treatment. If you do not have any wax available, sugar-free chewing gum will also work. Please make an appointment so that we can shorten the end or bend it correctly.

... the archwire has slipped out of the last bracket and is interfering

Highly flexible archwires are used, especially at the beginning of treatment, and it can happen that they slip out of the last bracket when eating. You can try to clamp the end of the archwire under the bracket so that it no longer interferes or cover the interfering area with some protective wax. Please make an appointment as soon as possible so that we can reattach the archwire properly and treatment is not delayed.

... pain occurs after a treatment appointment

After inserting a fixed appliance or changing the archwire, the teeth may be temporarily sensitive to pain, especially when biting down, and there may be a feeling of pressure. This feeling usually disappears after a few days. When eating, the sensitivity of the teeth to pressure may persist for a little longer. As every person has a different sensitivity to pain, the pain can vary in intensity for different patients. If there is no improvement after more than three days, or if the pain continues to be severe, please make an appointment with us as soon as possible.

... sores have formed in your mouth or your lip is injured

Sometimes it happens that you develop sores in your mouth as you get used to the brackets or you injure the inside of your lips on the brackets, e.g. during sport. Please cover the brackets with protective wax, especially in the first phase of treatment, to prevent such injuries or to enable faster healing. You can also rinse your mouth with sage or camomile tea. If the cause of irritation of the lips or cheeks is due to a wire end protruding outwards from a bracket, you can try to press it gently towards the tooth surface with your fingernail.

... a retainer wire is loose or broken

If a bonding point of the wire retainer has come loose on the inside of the tooth, you should make an appointment with us immediately. Otherwise the teeth can shift very quickly. You should not try to bend over any loose ends. Instead, try to apply protective wax or sugar-free chewing gum to the area and make an appointment with us as soon as possible. In most cases, an adhesive spot can be reattached without any problems. However, bent retainers or retainers that you have removed yourself will have to be completely removed and remade.

 

For removable braces

What to do if...

... the braces no longer fit

Many removable braces are fitted with a screw that you should adjust according to the doctor's instructions. If the brace no longer fits because it is too wide, you can try turning the screw back once or twice. The reason why the brace no longer holds or no longer fits well may also be that permanent teeth have continued to erupt. In any case, please make an appointment with us as soon as possible so that we can adjust the braces. This will prevent any regression or delays in treatment.

... the braces have been lost

Please make an appointment with us immediately so that new braces can be made. Otherwise the treatment result achieved will be jeopardised.

... the braces are bent or something on the braces has broken off

Please make an appointment so that we can repair the brace as quickly as possible. If only a small piece is broken off and nothing is bothering you, you should continue to wear the brace until the appointment. Small sharp edges on the plastic can be carefully smoothed with a nail file. Please make an appointment with us immediately so that we can help you.

... there is a pressure mark or sharp edge on the edge of aligners

With aligners, pressure points can not only manifest themselves through a feeling of pressure on the gums, but also through whitish discolouration of the gums in the corresponding area. If a pressure point occurs at the edge, you can shorten the aligner slightly with small nail scissors (approx. 1 mm should be sufficient). Small sharp-edged areas can be carefully smoothed with a fine nail file. If this does not remedy the situation, continue to wear the previous aligner and arrange an earlier check-up appointment.

Prevent loss and damage:

  • if the braces are not in the mouth, they should be stored in the transport box
  • NEVER wrap the braces in a tissue or napkin in a restaurant (or at home). It has happened very often that the braces are then forgotten and cleared away and end up in the rubbish.
  • Never leave the braces within reach of a dog or cat, as dogs like to grab the braces and bite them.