Emergency Care
While true orthodontic emergencies are rare, we are here to help if you experience severe pain or have a painful appliance problem you can’t manage independently. Call our office, and we will schedule an appointment to address the issue promptly.
In some cases, you may be able to resolve certain problems until your appointment temporarily. Familiarize yourself with the parts of your appliances, so you can identify any broken or misplaced components. After relieving any discomfort, it’s crucial that you still contact our office as soon as possible to arrange a repair. Leaving a damaged appliance unattended for an extended period could disrupt your treatment plan.
Poking Wire
If a wire is poking, you can gently push it down using a pencil eraser or apply wax to alleviate the discomfort.
Loose Bracket or Band
If a bracket or band is still attached to the wire, leave it in place and cover it with wax. If the wire comes out completely, wrap the bracket with a tissue.
Loose Wire
Attempt to put the wire back in place using tweezers. If this doesn’t help, use a small fingernail clipper as a last resort to clip the wire behind the last securely fastened tooth. Apply wax if needed.
Loose Appliance
If an appliance is causing discomfort, apply wax to the specific area.
Ill-Fitting Headgear
Discomfort with headgear can sometimes be resolved by wearing it as instructed by your orthodontist. Refer to the provided instructions. If the face bow is bent, contact our office for assistance. Surprisingly, the headgear may become less uncomfortable as you wear it more, so be sure to adhere to the prescribed wearing hours.
General Soreness
After getting braces, you may experience general soreness in your mouth and sensitivity when biting for a few days. Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater (1 teaspoon of salt dissolved in 8 ounces of warm water) for relief. Applying Orabase from a pharmacy to the affected area may also help. If the tenderness is severe, you can take your usual pain reliever for headaches or similar pain.
During the first one to two weeks, your lips, cheeks, and tongue may become irritated as they adapt to the braces. Wax can be applied to the braces to reduce discomfort, and we will demonstrate how to do this.