Emergency Care

True orthodontic emergencies are rare, but if one does occur, we’re here to help. Please call our office if you experience severe pain or have an issue with your appliance that you’re unable to resolve on your own. We’ll schedule an appointment to address the problem as soon as possible.

However, you may be able to manage some minor issues temporarily until you can visit us:

• Loose parts: If a piece comes loose and you can safely remove it, place it in a small plastic bag or envelope to bring with you to your next appointment.
• Poking wires: Apply a small piece of orthodontic wax over any part of your braces that’s irritating your mouth.
• Shifted wires: If a wire has shifted to one side, use needle-nosed pliers to gently guide it back into place, securing it in the tube on your back tooth.

Even after relieving your discomfort, please call our office as soon as possible to schedule a repair. Leaving a damaged appliance untreated can delay your treatment progress.

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General soreness

When your braces are first placed, it’s normal to experience some general soreness in your mouth, and your teeth may feel tender when biting for the first three to five days. To make things more comfortable:

• Stick to a soft diet until chewing feels comfortable again.
• If your gums or other areas are sore, try rinsing with a warm salt-water solution. Simply dissolve one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water and rinse your mouth thoroughly.
• For more severe discomfort, you can take Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or any pain reliever you usually use for headaches. However, avoid using Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), or Naproxen (Aleve) frequently, as they can slow down tooth movement.

You may also notice that your lips, cheeks, and tongue become a bit irritated as they adjust to the new braces. This usually resolves within one to two weeks. To ease any discomfort, you can apply orthodontic wax to the braces. Don’t worry—we’ll show you how to do it!

Headgear

If you’re experiencing discomfort, it may be due to not wearing your headgear as instructed. Be sure to follow the guidelines provided by your orthodontist, as consistent use will help reduce discomfort over time. The headgear should become more comfortable the more you wear it, so it’s important to reach the recommended number of hours each day.
If the facebow (the metal piece) becomes bent or damaged, please call our office for assistance. We’re here to help ensure your treatment stays on track and as comfortable as possible.

Loose appliance

If your orthodontic appliance is causing discomfort by poking your mouth, simply place a small piece of orthodontic wax over the area. This will help reduce irritation until you can visit our office for an adjustment.

Loose bracket

If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, leave it in place and use orthodontic wax to cover it if it’s causing discomfort. If the bracket or band can be easily removed, place it in a small envelope or bag and bring it with you to your next appointment.

Loose wire

If a wire becomes loose or out of place, here are some steps you can take to manage it:

1. Reposition the wire: Use tweezers or needle-nosed pliers to gently guide the wire back into place.
2. Secure with floss: If a colored o-ring is missing, you can tie the wire to the bracket with a small piece of floss to keep it in place.
3. Clip the wire if necessary: If you cannot reposition the wire and it’s causing discomfort, use a small fingernail clipper to trim the wire behind the last tooth to which it’s securely fastened.
4. Protect the area: If the end of the wire is still sharp, cover it with orthodontic wax to prevent irritation.

If you’re unable to resolve the issue or continue experiencing discomfort, please contact our office for assistance.

Poking wire

If a wire is poking you, use a pencil eraser to gently push the wire down into a more comfortable position. If that doesn’t work, cover the end of the wire with orthodontic wax to protect your mouth.