Orthodontic Emergency Care
True orthodontic emergencies are rare, but when they do occur, we are here to help. As a general rule, you should call our office if you experience severe pain or have a painful appliance problem that you cannot take care of yourself. We will schedule an appointment as soon as possible to resolve the issue.
You may be surprised to learn that many orthodontic problems can be temporarily managed at home until you are able to visit our office. If a piece of your appliance becomes loose and can be removed, place it in a plastic bag or envelope and bring it with you to your next appointment.
If your braces are poking or irritating your mouth, place orthodontic wax over the area causing discomfort. If a wire has slid to one side, you may gently guide it back into place using needle-nosed pliers, making sure it is properly seated in the tube on the back tooth.
Even after relieving your discomfort, it is important to contact our office as soon as possible to schedule a repair. Leaving a damaged appliance in place for an extended period of time may disrupt your treatment progress.
General Soreness
When your braces are first placed, you may experience general soreness in your mouth and tenderness when biting for three to five days. Stick to a soft diet until chewing is comfortable again.
Irritated gums and sore spots can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm salt-water solution. Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water and rinse vigorously. An alternative, better tasting option is Healthy Gums Rinse by The Natural Dentist.
Placing Orabase on the affected area may also help relieve discomfort. Orabase is available at most pharmacies. If soreness is severe, you may take Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or another pain reliever you normally use for headaches.
Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil), and Naproxen Sodium (Naprosyn or Anaprox) may slow tooth movement and are not recommended for frequent use during orthodontic treatment.
Your lips, cheeks, and tongue may become irritated for one to two weeks as they adjust to the braces. Applying orthodontic wax can help reduce irritation. Our team will be happy to show you how to use it properly.
Loose Appliance
If an appliance is poking or irritating your mouth, place orthodontic wax on the area causing discomfort.
Loose Bracket or Band
If a bracket or band is still attached to the wire, leave it in place and apply wax if needed for comfort. If the bracket or band can be removed easily, place it in an envelope and save it to bring to your next appointment.
Loose Wire
Using tweezers or needle-nosed pliers, gently try to place the wire back into position. You may also use dental floss to tie the wire in place by looping it around the bracket where a colored o-ring is missing.
If the wire cannot be positioned comfortably and wax does not help, as a last resort you may carefully clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely attached using a small fingernail clipper. If the wire remains sharp, cover it with wax.
Poking Wire
If a wire is poking your cheek or gums, use the eraser end of a pencil to gently push it down into a more comfortable position, or cover it with orthodontic wax.