Emergency Care

There are very few true orthodontic emergencies, but we are always available to help you. If you have a broken appliance or are experiencing pain, please call us as soon as possible. While the issue you are experiencing may require an extra visit, you might be surprised to learn that you may be able to solve many problems yourself temporarily until you can get to our office. Please know that even if you alleviate the discomfort caused by your broken appliance, you still need to schedule a repair appointment.

General Soreness

In the beginning of your treatment, soreness in your mouth is normal and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for one to five days. A soft diet is helpful until you feel more comfortable chewing.

Irritation

Lips, cheeks, and tongue may become irritated for one to two weeks after getting braces as they learn a new posture and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces or wire to lessen this as well as use a warm salt-water rinse.

Wire Poking

If the wire has slid to one side, you can pull it back to the other side with needle-nosed pliers. If you cannot put the wire into a comfortable position, and covering the end with wax doesn't help, as a last resort use a small fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If the end of the wire is still sharp, place wax on it.

Loose Brace

If it is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it if needed for comfort. If the brace can easily be removed, you can do so.