5 Must-Know Tips for Preventing Orthodontic Emergencies  

Damaged brackets, loose wires, and broken ligatures can be painful to experience and stressful to handle. They also have the potential to result in treatment plan delays, which can be quite frustrating as well. The good news is that you can prevent orthodontic emergencies like these with the following tips!

1. Don’t Eat Crunchy, Hard, or Sticky Foods

Although your brackets and wires are certainly durable, they can bend or break with enough pressure. That’s why patients are asked to steer clear of whole apples, almonds, tortilla chips, and other foods that are crunchy, hard, or sticky. Snacks like plain yogurt and bananas are preferred because they are packed with nutrients, and they have a softer consistency.

2. Break Bad Habits, like Biting Your Nails

Bad habits like biting your nails, chewing on ice cubes, or using your teeth to remove packaging might not seem like a big deal. The reality is that these can easily lead to an orthodontic emergency. So, it’s best to opt for the alternatives, like using scissors.

3. Prioritize Your Check-In Visits

Your routine check-in visits with your orthodontist allow them to adjust your braces as needed and make sure your teeth are moving as anticipated. They also use these appointments to examine the condition of your braces. If anything is out of place, they can address that quickly – preventing an orthodontic emergency in the process.

4. Wear a Mouthguard During Sports

Whether you’re involved in a contact sport, like football, or you enjoy a solo activity, like skateboarding, you need to wear a mouthguard. Otherwise, there’s a considerable risk that your teeth and your braces could get damaged. If you don’t have a mouthguard that fits over your braces, then talk to your orthodontist – they can help!

5. Commit to a Solid Oral Hygiene Regimen

Tooth decay, gum disease, damaged restorations, and other oral health problems need to be treated immediately. In that way, orthodontic emergencies extend beyond just damage to your braces. So, make sure you do what you can to avoid issues like these (i.e., brushing and flossing consistently, getting a dental checkup and teeth cleaning every six months, keeping your consumption of added sugar to a minimum).

About the Practice

With three talented orthodontists on our team, patients in and around Cumming can rely on Serenity Orthodontics for their initial consultation, orthodontic emergencies, and everything in between! We even offer same-day appointments in the event that a broken bracket, loose wire, or something similar comes up to ensure that you get back on-track with your treatment quickly. So, if you need to schedule an appointment with us, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call one of our six conveniently located offices.