One of the many great things about being an orthodontist is
the fact that there are few orthodontic emergencies’ that require immediate
care. However, during summer many
patients are very active and the occasional direct injury to the mouth or tooth
can happen. Tuthmvr Orthodontics would like to share some helpful information
if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation.
If you experience a chipped
or broken tooth you should save any pieces, rinse the mouth using warm water,
rinse any broken pieces of the tooth, apply cold compresses to the outside of
the mouth, lip, or area near the broken/chipped tooth and visit your dentist as
soon as possible.
In the event you experience
a knocked out tooth, and you can locate the tooth, hold it by the crown, rinse
off the tooth and root with water (it is important to not scrub it or remove
any attached tissue fragments). If you
can place the tooth back in the socket do so, if not place in a small cup of
milk or water and see your dentist as soon as possible. If you are able to see
your dentist and return the tooth to its socket within an hour there is a
greater chance of the tooth being saved!
If you should happen
to receive a significant dental injury while in braces, call your general
dentist office and our office. We can help determine the extent of the injury
and schedule your appointment accordingly. In some cases braces have been known
to save teeth from loss as braces help provide stability. Home care is not recommended for situations
that involve chipped, broken, fractured or knocked out teeth. The most common “orthodontic emergencies”
that patients will experience are:
·
Poking wires
·
Loose Brackets
·
Lost Separators
·
Broken Wires
·
Missing ligatures/nubs
·
Broken retainers
It is always good to keep an “Emergency Orthodontic Kit” on
hand during summer activities. This kit should include the following items:
·
Orthodontic wax ( you can get this from our
office)
·
Nail Clippers ( it is best to have a new pair)
·
Tweezers
·
A pencil with a good eraser on the end
·
A business card with our phone #
By keeping this kit close, you should be able to take care
of any minor “emergency”. Make sure to
call the office at 217-546-9600.
