Broken brackets, loose wires, and damaged aligners can all be stressful to handle and painful to experience. So, it’s only natural that you want to do whatever you can to avoid such situations. The good news is that you can learn a few simple tips for preventing an orthodontic emergency right here!
1. Stick to the Dietary Restrictions
Towards the beginning of your orthodontic treatment, you might have lots of motivation to follow the dietary restrictions provided. As time goes on, however, that drive might dwindle, but it’s still just as important that you steer clear of popcorn, tortilla chips, caramel candies, and other crunchy, hard, and sticky foods. That way, there’s a lower risk of a bracket, wire, or attachment coming out of place.
2. Wear a Mouthguard During Sports
It’s also very important to wear a mouthguard during sports, including non-contact ones like running, skateboarding, and rollerblading. Although this may seem overboard, it’s crucial because bad falls sometimes happen, and you want your teeth, gums, and braces to be protected. So, if you don’t have a mouthguard already, talk to your orthodontist about having one made!
3. Prioritize Your Check-In Visits
No matter what type of braces you have – from traditional to Invisalign – your check-in visits should be a priority. That’s because your orthodontic team uses these appointments to monitor the movement of your teeth and check the condition of your brackets, wires, and any other orthodontic appliances you have. If they notice any damage, they can fix it on the spot.
4. Steer Clear of Unhealthy Habits
Simply put, you should quit any habits that have the potential to damage your braces or your teeth. That includes smoking, chewing on ice cubes, biting your nails, using your teeth as tools, and putting the back of your pen or pencil in your mouth. Remember, even if these habits seem harmless, they can quickly lead to an orthodontic and/or dental emergency!
5. Don’t Wrap Your Aligners or Retainer in a Napkin
If you have clear aligners or a retainer, do not wrap them in a napkin while you eat – even if you’ve done so in the past without any problems. Not only can they easily collect bacteria this way, but they can also accidentally get misplaced. So, put them in their designated storage case instead.
About the Practice
At Simply Orthodontics – Framingham, we know how stressful it can be to experience an orthodontic emergency, which is why we do our absolute best to help our patients right away with broken brackets, lost aligners, and the like. If you need to schedule a same-day appointment with us, you’re welcome to give us a call at (508) 250-0170. You can also reach out via our website with any questions you have.