Comfort Care
What to Do in Case of an Orthodontic Emergency
Call our office as soon as possible if you break or loosen any of your appliances. Please do not come directly to the office – by calling us, you will allow us to create a time to see you.
Even if you have a regular appointment scheduled, call us immediately to notify us if you need an appliance repaired.
If you’re calling after hours, you’ll be directed to our emergency line option in our voicemail message.
What is considered an orthodontic emergency?
- Lost, cracked or broken clear aligners or appliances
- Lost or broken appliance
- Rubber band comes off your braces
- Archwire pops out of place
- Loose or broken braces bracket
- Soreness due to poking wires or metal pieces
- Tooth pain or soreness
In the meantime, we have tips to make you more comfortable until you can visit us.
Loose Braces Brackets or Bands
If you have a loose or floating bracket on braces, give us a call right away for advice. The bracket may need to be re-fitted as soon as possible. You may have a situation that requires cutting a wire or sliding a bracket off a wire at night or over the weekend, and we’ll be here to guide you through it.
If you need to cut a wire in case of emergency, you may use fingernail clippers that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. Please call our office the next business day, so that we may schedule an appointment for you.
Wire Irritations or Poking Braces Wires
How to fix a poking wire on braces: Sometimes discomfort caused by a wire on your braces can be resolved by moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or eraser.
If the wire will not move, try covering the end of it with a small piece of cotton or a small amount of wax. If the wire is painful, you can cut it with nail clippers or scissors that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol.
If you cannot resolve the wire irritation, call our office for an appointment.
Lost Separators
Discomfort with Orthodontic Treatment
During the first week with braces, and after routine adjustments are complete, you will likely feel some pain, soreness or discomfort.
Here’s what you can do:
- You may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while you adjust to your new braces.
- A warm wash cloth or heating pad may reduce the soreness in your jaws.
- You can also gargle some salt water for relief. Mix one teaspoon of salt into eight ounces of warm water. Gargle the solution for at least 30 seconds, then spit it out and repeat until the cup is empty. Salt water mix is a safe, natural solution that helps to disinfect the mouth and ease inflammation.
When in Doubt,
Give Us a Call
We’re your partners in this journey, here to support you and help you adjust to life with braces or clear aligners.
If something doesn’t feel right or you’re unsure what to do at any point in treatment, please give us a call! We’d be more than happy to help and guide you through it.
1
Schedule a Complimentary Consultation
Book online or call/text our office to find a time that works for you.
2
Come in for Your First Visit
We’ll take a look, listen to your goals, and walk you through your options with no pressure.
3
Start Smiling
Begin your treatment with a personalized plan and a team who treats you like family.