True orthodontic emergencies are rare. Broken brackets, loose bands and poking wires can usually be covered with wax, trimmed, or removed at home, and repaired at the next regular visit. If you feel you have an orthodontic emergency, call our office right away. One of our trained team members will help you determine the next step and, if necessary, will schedule an emergency visit for you.
If you lose your rubber bands, call us so we can mail you some more or drop by the office and pick some up.
More severe injuries from trauma and accidents that involve displaced teeth and lacerations are best evaluated in an emergency room setting.
Here is help with managing any discomfort you might experience during treatment:
Pain in the Teeth
It is normal to experience soreness as the teeth move. This discomfort typically lasts from 1 to 3 days after braces are placed and sometimes following an adjustment visit. You may take an anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) to relieve the soreness. In addition, while your teeth are sore, avoid eating hard or chewy foods. If you experience severe pain or the soreness continues longer than you think is normal, please call us.
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Pain in the Gums
Your gums should never be sore during orthodontic treatment. You may experience pain because of food trapped under a brace or beneath the gum line. Brush your teeth and gums with a soft toothbrush and use floss or an interdental toothbrush (Proxabrush) to dislodge the food. You should also rinse your mouth several times each day with warm salt water and/or a mouthwash such as Peroxyl. If the pain is severe or persists longer than a few days, contact us.
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Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Pain
You may experience popping, clicking and discomfort in the TMJ’s (jaw joints) during orthodontic treatment. However, these symptoms are generally temporary, since the teeth and jaw structures are moving into a better alignment as treatment progresses. Persistent or severe jaw pain is a cause for concern. Please contact us. We may need to examine you.
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Sore places in the Cheeks
In some cases, braces and other appliances can irritate the inside of the cheeks, particularly during the first few days after braces are placed. Sore spots may develop because of brackets or wires. Placing wax on the part of the brace adjacent to the sore area can help it to heal. If the sore spot gets worse or the wax does not help, please call us.
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Sore places on the Lips
During your first week of wearing braces, your lips may get irritated due to the brackets on your front teeth. If a sore spot develops on your lip, place wax on the part of the brace adjacent to the sore spot and put Chap Stick of Vaseline on your lips. Please contact us if the sore spot gets worse and the instructions above do not help.
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Sore places on the Tongue
Some of the appliances we use during your orthodontic treatment may have parts that are on the surfaces of your teeth toward the tongue. As you get used to wearing your braces, these parts may irritate the tongue for several days. Placing wax on the brace that is causing the discomfort may help the sore spot to heal, as your tongue gets used to the braces. If the soreness gets worse and the wax does not help, please call us.
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Loose Brace or Bonded Appliance
Sometimes a loose brace remains attached to the archwire. This is not a cause for an emergency visit. In some cases, the brace may move or slide back and forth on the archwire. If the brace flips around the wire, use tweezers to reposition it. If tissue becomes irritated, apply wax to the loose brace to help the sore area to heal. Loose braces cannot support elastics. Loose bonded appliances, such as palatal expanders can cause the tissue to become sore or irritated. Moreover, loose appliances do not move teeth properly, which can delay treatment. Please do not try to fix these problems yourself. Call us to schedule an appointment to repair the appliance.
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Loose or Irritating Wire
If the main wire comes out of the brace or tube on a back molar tooth, try to reinsert the wire using tweezers or needle nosed pliers. If the wire is not sticking you put wax over the area. If the wire is sticking you and wax does not help, you may cut the wire close to the back of the last brace using a nail clipper or small wire cutter. This is a temporary remedy until we can see you in the office.
An unattached archwire does not move teeth properly, which can delay treatment. We must repair a loose archwire.
If the wire is irritating an area, try pushing it away with a cotton swab or the eraser end of a pencil. If the wire cannot be tucked away, place wax, a cotton ball or a piece of sugarless gum on the end of the wire until we can see you in the office. Please contact us to schedule an earlier appointment.
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Loose or Broken Retainers or Removable Devices
The plastic or metal parts of removable appliances or retainers may break or bend. Unfortunately, this can cause them not to function properly. You may need to stop wearing the appliance and call us to schedule an earlier appointment for adjustment or repair.
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Swallowed Parts
If you swallow a part of your appliance, such as a rubber band or brace, it will pass through your system and cause no harm. However, if you are having difficulty breathing, seek immediate medical care at the nearest medical facility or emergency room.
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Wax
Orthodontic wax can be used to cover broken or loose parts of your braces, newly placed braces, hooks or other appliances that may be irritating soft tissue or sore spots. To apply, take a piece of wax about the size of a pea. Shape it into a ball and place it over the part of the braces causing soreness. Press the wax around the part and smooth it. You should continue brushing each day. Wax is a harmless remedy for relieving discomfort. If you swallow wax, it will not harm you! If you run out of wax, you may use sugarless gum.
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Swollen Gums
Especially during orthodontic treatment, it is very important that your gums and teeth remain healthy. Poor oral hygiene may cause the gums to become swollen and bleed. Thorough and gentle brushing and rinsing with a mouthwash, such as Peroxyl and warm salt water, can help gums become healthy again. You should also use floss to dislodge debris or food trapped under the gum line. Tooth movement may also cause swollen gums. If these solutions do not help, contact us.
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Unusual Movement in your Mouth
Braces are designed to move teeth in three-dimensions. Sometimes a tooth may appear to be moving in the wrong direction. This typically occurs at the beginning of treatment, and should straighten out within a few days. On the other hand, if your braces are broken or damaged, undesired tooth movement can occur. If you think your braces may be damaged or broken, contact us. We may need to schedule an earlier appointment for adjustment or repair.
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Allergies
Allergic reactions during orthodontic treatment are rare, but can happen. In some cases, patients may be allergic to the metal used in some appliances or the latex gloves worn by our clinical team. If you notice unusual symptoms, such as redness or swelling in your mouth, or a skin rash, contact our office immediately.
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