| PATIENT INFORMATION | first aid and aftercare

• If a wire causes irritation, push the wire away from the area using the eraser end of a pencil or a pair of eyebrow tweezers Do not push the wire with your finger. If the wire cannot be tucked away, cover the end of the wire with a small piece of wax, a cotton ball, or a piece of sugarless gum. Call 01329 284 419 as soon as possible to book an emergency appointment to see David Gale.
  
  
• If the main wire has come out of the tube or pipe on your back molar tooth, attempt to reinsert the wire with a pair of tweezers. If the wire is not sticking you, place a piece of wax over the area. If the wire is sticking you and wax does not help call 01329 284 419 to ask for professional assistance.
  
  
• In case a rubber spacer falls out, , this is not usually an emergency. No action is required but do try to keep the separators in place as they are necessary. Avoid sticky food which could dislodge the separators.
  
  
• If a bracket becomes loose, , it usually remains connected to the main wire by a little rubber coloured ring. Call immediately 01329 284 419 and ask to have the bracket refitted. A loose bracket can allow the treatment to go backwards within a few days. It is your responsibility to check your brackets with a finger each day to ensure that they are properly stuck to each tooth. Eyebrow tweezers can be used to reposition the brace if it flips around the wire and becomes a source of irritation.
  
  
• If a piece of your braces breaks, save the piece and immediately call 01329 284 419 to schedule a repair visit.
  
  
• Remain calm if you swallow a piece of your appliance. This will usually go either into the stomach and pass out of the body in a bowel movement. However, if in the unlikely event that difficulty breathing is experienced, you should seek immediate medical attention. X-rays will be taken to determine the location of the swallowed piece.

• If a removable brace cracks, remove the retainer from your mouth and bring all the pieces to our office for professional repair.
  
  
• If your teeth are sore after a monthly visit , take what you would normally take for a headache e.g. paracetamol. Do not exceed the recommended dosage. Children under 16 years of age should not take aspirin.
  
  
• If you lose your rubber bands, call us so we can mail you some more or drop by the office and pick some up.
  
  
• Rinsing your mouth with a cup of warm water and teaspoon of salt can also be soothing.
  
  
• If your teeth get sore suddenly in the middle of the month, give us a call because it is unusual for the teeth to get sore several weeks after your last office visit.
  
  
• if food becomes stuck between your teeth, use dental floss to dislodge the food.
  
  
• If you cut your gums, tongue or the inside of your cheek, apply finger pressure to the bleeding site for several minutes. If the bleeding won't clot, call your orthodontist.
  

Sore Teeth

Elastics

Attached to your braces, elastics (rubber bands) exert the proper force that creates the right amount of pressure to move teeth. In order for this force to remain constant, elastics must be worn all the time and changed every day. Any time missed in wearing your elastics will only make your treatment take longer, so remember these things:

You are responsible for placing the elastics on your braces between appointments. Make sure to wear them as instructed. Remove them only when brushing your teeth, gums and braces after meals. Then put them back on immediately.

Always carry a few elastics with you, so if one breaks you can replace it right away. If your supply is low, call the office and we will mail you an additional supply of elastics.
If you forget to insert your elastics one day, don't double up the next day — just follow your regular instructions.

Elastics become worn out. When they lose their elasticity, they don't provide the proper pressure on your teeth and jaws. It is very important to change them as directed, even when they are not broken.

If your elastics break frequently, a wire or band loosens, or a hook breaks off — call our office immediately. Don't wait until your next appointment. These problems need to be corrected as soon as possible!