7:13 PM EST January 5, 2009
			How to deal with orthodontic emergencies: BRACES Teeth discomfort- on your first appointment, we supply you with a horseshoe-shaped flexible plastic wafer (We call it the "chewy"). If you have followed our instructions (chew vigorously for 15 minutes), you will have the least amount of soreness. If you forgot, or didn't use it long enough, taking Tylenol or Ibuprofen (adult dose is OK for 1-2 days) and limiting your diet to soft foods should get you through the next couple of days. Cheek and lip irritation- Early in your treatment, your lips and cheeks will have to get used to the new hardware; this usually takes a few days to a few weeks. For this problem, use the soft wax that came in the small plastic box that we gave you. The smallest bit of wax that covers the bracket or wire will last the longest. Broken wire- if your wire breaks and is protruding into your lips, cheeks or gums, try to cut it off (use a fingernail clipper or small wire cutter). If this doesn't work, call the office at (860)739-3190 during office hours and (860)859-7146 (Dr.T's cell) after hours. Broken bracket- If one of your brackets breaks away from the tooth, try to position it on the tooth as it was before and call the office to schedule an appointment to rebond it. If it falls off, try to save it and bring it into the office at that appointment. Elastic chain or thread breaks- If this happens, you can remove the remainder of the thread or cut the end of the broken chain and call the office to have it replaced. Sores in the mouth - sometimes, continued irritation may cause sores to form on the inside of the lips, cheeks and even tongues. We recommend ZYLACTINTM to help heal these areas. Dry the affected area and apply a small amount; it will sting for a few seconds and in a minute it will dry to form a "band-aid" over the sore. Reapply as it falls off. RETAINERS Broken retainer - try to save the pieces and call the office right away for repair or replacement. Lost retainer - call the office immediately to have your retainer replaced. Waiting too long to do this could allow your teeth to drift out of alignment. Gum stuck to the retainer - while chewing gum with your retainer is not suggested, if you forget, put your retainer in the freezer for about 15 minutes, and the gum will be able to be removed more easily. Tooth soreness - this can happen sometimes with a new retainer or if you have skipped some time wearing your retainer. Tylenol or ibuprofen should get you through this time and the soreness of the teeth should not occur again as long as the retainer is worn as instructed.
			All contents © 2009 Thomas J. Thibault, DMD. Web site design and coding by Mike Thibault.