Emergencies
Orthodontic Emergencies
Please email juliette@ridentes.com for orthodontic emergency advice over weekends and bank holidays.
Problems with orthodontic appliances are rarely true emergencies. Most common problems can be addressed at home with the care advice below.
During office hours patients who are experiencing problems can contact our receptionist on 01865 370375. We can advise if an unscheduled appointment should be made. We recommend all our patients adhere to the diet advice we give so as to minimise the risk of problems and need for unscheduled appointments. Below are some problems patients may experience with suggestions on management.
Discomfort/Pain
It is common to experience some discomfort for a few days after appliances have been fitted. Anti- inflammatory medication that you would normally take for headache or pain tend to be very effective. Adherence to a soft diet initially is also recommended. Recent research also shows that chewing a sugar free gum can help to provide pain relief.
Mouth Ulcers
Irritation from an appliance can cause or exacerbate existing ulcers. Application of non- medicated relief wax on the area of the appliance causing irritation together with use of an antiseptic mouthwash has been found to be helpful.
Swollen/Bleeding Gums
This is usually caused by poor oral hygiene. Follow the oral hygiene instructions you have been given and brush teeth well using inter-dental brush in areas difficult to access.
Protruding Arch Wire
Cover the protruding wire with relief wax provided and contact the practice if this does not help.
Loose Brackets
Occasionally a bracket will come detached from a tooth but remains attached to the wire. If the bracket is not causing discomfort, it can be addressed at the next scheduled visit. If it is causing discomfort you can remove it at home in one of two ways:
- Use nail scissors to cut through the coloured elastic band that hold the broken bracket to the wire, then rotate the bracket off the wire and throw it away
- Alternatively, use a tweezers to hold the elastic band and gently remove band from bracket. Then rotate the broken bracket off the wire and dispose of bracket
Broken/Lost Removable Appliance/Retainers
Contact the Practice to arrange an unscheduled appointment as soon as possible.
Loose or Broken Wires/Bands/Springs
If the broken component is not loose then cover with relief wax and schedule an appointment for a review. If the component is loose then carefully remove with tweezers and schedule a review.
Allergic/Hypersensitive Reaction
The majority of patients who are sensitive to nickel can still wear stainless steel braces which contain small amounts of nickel. In rare instances there can be an allergic reaction with symptoms of burning sensation, metallic taste, swelling and soreness of the tongue. In these cases contact the Practice immediately so arrangements can be made to remove the nickel components.
Broken Bonded Retainer
If you have a bonded retainer, you will also have had a removable retainer supplied. We would always advise on wearing this on an occasional basis. If your bonded retainer breaks, start wearing the removable retainer every day and contact the practice for advice.
For further information contact us on 01865 370375.
Dental Emergencies
In the event of a dental emergency over the weekend and bank holidays please call the North Oxfordshire Private Dental Emergency Service on 01865 238438. If you have problems using this service, please email pascal@ridentes.com
If you have a dental emergency during open practice hours please call 01865 370375 or email reception@ridentes.com. Our reception team will triage your dental problem and offer you an urgent appointment as appropriate.
If you are a patient registered at our practice and have a dental emergency at the weekend please call the North Oxfordshire Private Dental Emergency Service on 01865 238438.
If you are a registered patient in need of an urgent dental appointment, the next open day please email reception@ridentes.com or call at 9:00am in the morning of our re-opening and you will be offered an urgent appointment as appropriate.
For non-registered patients in need of out of hours emergency dental care please call the 111 service.
For Denplan patients who are away from home and unable to access emergency treatment – please call (UK) 0880844999 (Worldwide) +44 1962 844 999
