Regular visits to an orthodontist is a regular part of the journey to straighter teeth, and ensuring treatment stays on track. But what happens when you can’t make it into your clinic? Or it's temporarily closed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
We’ve got some top tips for what to do when you can’t visit your Batemans Bay Orthodontist.
Emergency Care
In the event of an emergency, here are some common measures you can take at home. Please ensure you disinfect all equipment before putting it in your mouth. This can be done by using alcohol wipes or by cleaning it with soap and hot water before putting it in your mouth.
Poking Wire
If a poking wire is causing discomfort, use tweezers to put the wire back into place. Alternatively, you can use nail clippers to clip the wire behind the last bracket. Then use orthodontic wax to cover up the sharp ends. Just ensure you sterilise all equipment before putting it in your mouth.
Broken Bracket
If a bracket breaks, it can still rotate and move along the wire. This rarely causes pain and can be fixed by your orthodontist at your next appointment. In the meantime, use disinfected tweezers to slide the bracket along the wire so it sits between two teeth or in the centre of your tooth, to avoid discomfort.
Sore and Ulcers
Unfortunately, it’s common for people with braces to get ulcers or cuts in their mouth. If you are experiencing irritation, use a small amount of orthodontic wax to ease the discomfort. You can also rinse your mouth with salt-water to soothe the pain and heal the sore.
The Importance of Oral Hygiene
We know that your oral health is intrinsically linked to your overall well being, which is even more important while under going Orthodontic treatment. Here are some basic tips to ensure you've got the basics covered while your Specialist Practice is closed:
Brushing your teeth after every meal
When wearing braces in particular, it’s much easier for pesky pieces of food to get trapped in your brackets. Use a toothbrush with a soft head to access those hard-to-reach areas. Orthodontists recommend brushing your teeth after every meal, so ensure your orthodontic care kit is packed with essential items including a toothbrush and toothpaste.
Flossing your teeth
Flossing helps remove plaque build-up and smaller food particles that are stuck between your braces. If you find it tricky to floss with regular tape, you can invest in a pikster or interdental brush that will help you manoeuvre around your brackets. Remember to be gentle, as applying too much pressure may cause your wire to bend or break.
Article originally published by Orthodontics Australia
