911: First Aid

Wire Poking & Irritation

If a wire causes irritation, push the wire away from the area using the eraser end of a pencil or a Q-Tip. 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 until you can see Dr. Bernstein for an adjustment.

Loose wire on back teeth

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 needle-nosed pliers or 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, the wire can be cut with a small wire cutter or toenail clipper close to the back of the last brace. This is a last resort if professional help is unavailable.

Spacer Fell Out

In case a rubber spacer falls out, take two pieces of dental floss and insert them through the spacer. Pull on both pieces of floss to stretch the spacer, then slide the spacer back and forth between the two teeth where it belongs. Once the bottom half of the spacer slips under the tight spot between the teeth, release and remove the floss and the spacer will fit back properly.

Loose Bracket

If a bracket becomes loose, it usually remains connected to the main wire by a little rubber colored ring. Eyebrow tweezers can be used to reposition the brace if it flips around the wire and becomes a source of irritation. Call our office and inform us of your situation.

Appliance Breaks

If your eating something too hard and your appliance breaks, please save any braces that fall off the wires so that they can be reattached. Please call the office, as soon as you can, and let us know what is broken and where it is broken. This information is vital in order for us to schdule the right type of repair appointment. Please save the bits and pieces that have come off until you are able to come into the office to have it repaired.

If you are in severe pain, and require and require immediate attention please mention this when you call and we will have you be seen immediately.

Pain & Hygiene

• Take Aspirin, Tylenol or Ibuprofen (unless allergic) if your teeth are sore after a monthly visit.
• Rinsing your mouth with a cup of warm water and teaspoon of salt can also be soothing. If you teeth get sore suddenly in the middle of the month, give us a call. 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 or a proxy brush 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 does not clot, call your orthodontist or family dentist.