Nobody is safe from orthodontic issues. Even at home, patients can find themselves in uncomfortable situations where they may feel pain, develop sores, and experience speech problems. However, all these inconveniences make the overall journey to a better-looking set of teeth rewarding. But how do you deal with the most common orthodontic issues at home? Here are some ideas.
1. Oral Sores
One of the more common orthodontic problems in the home is the oral sore. Sores are painful, but they are also common, and this is because some of the appliances we wear are sharp and can chafe the soft tissue in our mouth.
The good news is that you can soothe this soreness with a few easy and basic treatments. First, you should keep the sore clean. Clean it twice a day with warm water and mild soap. Be sure to dry the sore completely.
You should also keep your teeth clean to ensure the wounds stay clean. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, and you should also use a soft-bristled toothbrush. It will keep bacteria out of the sore, keeping the area fresh and clean.
2. Pain or Discomfort
Another common issue that orthodontic patients at home may face is discomfort. Unlike sores, discomfort doesn’t always indicate an issue because our appliances can aggravate sensitive areas in our mouths and can cause a feeling of discomfort. The good news is that there are some easy ways to deal with this.
The first thing you should do is to speak with your orthodontist. Your dentist can tweak the appliance to reduce the discomfort in many cases. Sometimes, it helps to wear a nightguard during the night to keep your device from sliding around and causing pain.
3. O-Ring Loss
O-Rings are standard in retainers and clear aligners, and they are used to hold the appliance in place. O-Rings are made of a soft, flexible material, and they can break if they are subjected to too much stress.
When an O-Ring breaks, the appliance can slip and can fall off. To prevent this, you should always wear your retainer. You should also wear the retainer when you are sleeping to prevent the retainer from being lost in your sleep. Lastly, it helps to use your retainer in the shower.
4. Broken or Loose Brackets
Brackets can break. Sometimes, they fail because they are not correctly fitted. Sometimes, they break because they are not kept clean. Sometimes, they break because they are not adequately cared for.
If you find that your brackets are loose or broken, you should call your orthodontist—the best thing is to go to your orthodontist and have the appliance adequately replaced.
5. Dislocated Wires
Wires can become dislocated. Dislocated wires cause issues. Dislocated wires can cause problems in the placement of your teeth. Dislocated wires can even cause discomfort. When you find your wires are dislocated, you should call your orthodontist immediately. You should go to your dentist as soon as possible and have the wires replaced. The wire can slip out of place even further if you wait too long.
Conclusion
Anytime you are suffering from orthodontic problems at home, you should stay with your orthodontist. In some cases, you may need to get new appliances. In other cases, you may need to have the instrument adjusted. You will be on the road to having a beautiful new smile in no time.
Solarte Orthodontics aims to give people a chance to smile better. Through the best orthodontists in Alexandria, we help provide orthodontic services such as orthodontic retainers, which help correct our patients’ teeth and bites. Book an appointment with the best orthodontics clinic near you today.
