Dr. Williams and our team’s goal is to make your experience as comfortable and effective as possible. Williams Orthodontics is committed to providing high-quality care both inside and outside of the office. We are ready to rise to the occasion and be there for your orthodontic emergencies when you need us!
Securing Your Smile’s Health For A Lifetime
Protecting your dental health and orthodontic work for years to come can be accomplished in many achievable ways at home. Maintaining everyday oral health habits is a simple yet vital way of keeping your teeth clean and protected from preventable diseases.
Oral Health Maintenance
Developing good habits like brushing and flossing your teeth each morning and night and taking the time to clean small crevices that may be hiding food is essential to preventing oral issues down the line. Other methods of keeping up with your dental hygiene include using mouthwash, cleaning your tongue, and drinking water every day to wash light stains off your teeth.
Consistently Staying Hydrated
Drinking water every day and staying hydrated is yet another attainable way to uphold your beautiful smile. The natural fluoride in water can get rid of residing plaque and stains left over after a meal.
Mindfully Selecting Food
Hard, sticky, or very crunchy foods are best avoided while wearing fixed appliance braces as they may lead to unnecessary discomfort that follows broken wires or loosened brackets. Though you may not be able to eat one of your favorite foods, Williams Orthodontics reminds you it is a small price to pay for a beautiful smile that will last the rest of your life!
Wearing A Mouthguard
Especially important for our patients who actively play sports, a mouthguard is essential. In the unfortunate case of trauma to your teeth, you can help to avoid a broken tooth. If you wear fixed braces, there are specific guards made to fit our patients with similar orthodontic appliances, so it will make a comfortable fit.
Equip Yourself With An Emergency Kit
Unexpectedly, getting caught in an emergency can be daunting, but we have got you covered! We have created a list of items that can help aid some common emergencies during treatment. Proactively keeping them all available to yourself in a small travel-size bag will help ensure your orthodontic journey continues smoothly!
Toothbrush And Toothpaste: to clean your teeth between meals (especially for clear aligner wearers) and to rid your teeth of any lingering food.
Floss And Threaders: to get rid of any bothersome pieces of food your toothbrush can’t reach.
Non-Prescription Pain Relievers: to ease any pain or tenderness during the day if your teeth are feeling sensitive.
Orthodontic Wax: to assist with pointy wires or ease irritation against your cheeks and lips.
Nail Clippers: if you need to cut a wire that’s sticking out and irritating your cheek to help avoid any cuts inside your mouth.
Water Bottle: thoroughly rinse your mouth after a meal and continually get rid of any plaque throughout your day.
General Orthodontic Emergencies and How To Provide Care At Home
Severe Swollen Gums or Toothaches
Usually, the symptoms of a larger problem, swelling and tooth pain can cause a lot of discomfort. This can be caused by various factors related to treatment.
The first steps to dealing with swollen gum pain include taking non-prescribed pain relievers as well as thoroughly rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater to get rid of any lingering bacteria. Don’t forget to call our office and let Dr. Williams know of the emergency so we can best determine the severity in case an appointment must be made.
A Piece Of Your Appliance Is Swallowed
Situations in which you could swallow a piece of your appliance include broken wires, broken brackets, or other removable pieces. This is very rare, but still, something we want to prepare our patients for.
If a piece is missing, look to see if it is within the periphery of your mouth and clear to remove yourself. If you can extract the piece yourself, do so very carefully. If you have doubts, do not attempt removal. In case you feel yourself coughing something up or have trouble breathing, contact Williams Orthodontics right away so we can aid you.
Loose Or Poking Wires
Often caused by eating something sticky or hard, loose wires can occur. As your teeth start to shift position, the wire may even misplace itself, leading to irritation or cuts on the inside of your mouth. Any part that may fall out, hold onto it and bring it to your next appointment.
If the wire is protruding entirely, the first thing you should do is carefully guide it back through the bracket using sterile tweezers. Should you feel any sharpness, apply a small amount of orthodontic wax to shield yourself from potential cuts or scratches. If irritation continues, you can trim the wire at its base with sterilized nail clippers to alleviate any further discomfort.
General Tooth Pain
With any procedure, there is bound to be some degree of discomfort in order for the positive shift to occur. In the first few days following the start of your smile journey with our team, your teeth may begin to sense something different in your mouth and may feel tender.
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help mitigate discomfort, including swishing your mouth with warm salt water, taking non-prescription pain relievers, as well as eating soft food to avoid unnecessary pressure on your teeth. Normal discomfort should disappear within a few days. If it proves otherwise, our team will be able to help you out with further assistance.
We Put Your Dental Needs First!
We ask that you let Dr. Williams and our team know of any emergencies you experience so that we can determine their severity and whether an immediate appointment is necessary or if it is something we can address at your upcoming visit. Our team understands that emergencies happen, and we want to help you through them as stress-free as possible! Reach out to our El Dorado office by calling 870-568-1043 or our Monroe office at 318-460-5059 to schedule an appointment today!