As with other procedures and treatment methods, orthodontic treatment may result in a number of complications based on your lifestyle habits and activities. This is especially true if you consume sticky or hard foods, or if you fail to wear a mouth guard while participating in physical sports. Make sure you know how to handle some of the most common orthodontic emergencies by reading through this article.

Tooth First aid

Loose Spacers
Spacers are small rubber rings used to create a small opening in between your back molars in preparation for the placement of the metal band. These spacers or separators are typically left in place for a few days, but may fall out or slip out of position. This is relatively normal and can easily be remedied by having new spacers put in place.

Broken Wires
Individuals who eat hard foods such as chips, cookies, pretzels, and whole fruits may suffer damage to one of their archwires. If one of your archwires becomes broken , you may consider placing a small piece of orthodontic wax over the wire to prevent it from scratching or poking your cheeks until you are able to obtain treatment.

Loose or Dislodged Brackets
Direct trauma, biting down on pencils or pens, and eating hard or overly sticky foods may cause one of your brackets to become loose or pop off completely. As with broken or lose wires, you can cover a dislodged bracket using a small amount of wax to keep it from irritating your gums or cheeks until you are able to see your orthodontist.

If you are experiencing any of the above emergencies, it is important to seek professional care as soon as possible to ensure successful treatment. For more information about obtaining treatment for after-hours orthodontics emergencies , contact Dr. David Seligman today at (646) 681-8516. Seligman Orthodontics also offers Invisalign, Incognito braces, and Insignia braces.