According to the American Association of Orthodontists, there are around 4 million Americans wearing braces today. As family orthodontists, we know that sometimes there can be issues that come with wearing them. It’s important to know how to handle them when they come up. Here are some common issues with braces you should know how to handle.
Tooth soreness
When you have your braces installed, it’s common for your teeth to be sore for a week. It’s completely normal. During this time period, stick to a diet of soft foods. If you need to, you can take ibuprofen to help with the soreness. Also, try chewing sugarless gum. While the feeling might be uncomfortable, the blood flow to the teeth will increase. This will help to reduce the discomfort.
Mouth ulcers
It’s possible at some point during your treatment, your mouth will get sores or ulcers in your lips or cheeks. This usually happens during the first week of wearing your braces. Once your mouth has gotten used to wearing them, the sores and ulcers will slowly shrink away. In the event you continue to experience them in your mouth, contact your doctor for assistance. If there’s a specific edge of your braces that’s causing the sore, you can use wax to cover it. Consistently keep the area of the sore clean while your mouth adjusts to the braces.
Wire out
Sometimes you’ll notice that the wire of your braces is out of the tube. Whenever you notice this, attempt to put the wire back into the tube with your hands. If you struggle to do it with your hands, you can also try using tweezers. If all else fails, and the wire is still bothering you, contact your doctor for assistance.
Bracket loose
Your brackets may become loose or break from time to time. It’s usually caused by either playing with your braces or eating hard foods. As long as you’re not experiencing pain, wait until your next appointment with your family orthodontist to resolve the issue. Keep the bracket in place, and if there’s any discomfort with it, use wax to cover it. In the event that the bracket has completely come out, bring it with you to your next appointment, and let the staff know.
These are some of the many common issues that occur while wearing braces. As you get used to wearing them, most of these issues will be rare. Be sure to follow all of your family orthodontist’s instructions with taking care of your braces.
