Something happened!  What do I do?

I broke some wires on my braces! If you've broken part of your braces and you can take the braces off easily, take them out and call your dentist.  If it can't take out your braces, cover the sharp or protruding portion with cotton balls, gauze, or chewing gum.  If a wire is stuck in your gums, cheek, or tongue, DO NOT remove the wire.  Go to your dentist immediately.  Loose or broken dental appliances that do not bother you all that much don't usually require emergency attention.  However, you should notify your dentist of the problem.

Note:  The tips on the these pages follow the guidelines set out by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and have been reviewed and approved by a licensed, qualified dentist.  Even so, sometimes opinions may differ on the best thing to do in an emergency situation, so check with your regular dentist for more guidance.  You should always consult your local dentist concerning specific treatment questions and options. Don't have a regular dentist?  If it's a real emergency, you can always go to the nearest hospital.  They'll most likely have a dentist they can call to come in and help. In the United States, call the American Dental Association (312-440-2617; www.ada.org) or the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (312-337-2169; www.aapd.org) for an accredited pediatric dentist in your area.

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