Emergancy Care

True orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they occur, do call at our office during clinic hours. You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you schedule an appointment with our office. You may refer the dictionary section for the names, so that you are able to identify what part is broken or out of place.

After alleviating your discomfort, it is very important that you call and schedule an appointment. Allowing your appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions in your treatment plan.

The following solutions may help you relieve your discomfort:

Poking Wire

Using a pencil eraser, push the poking wire down or place wax on it to alleviate the discomfort.

Loose Bracket or Band

If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it. If the wire comes out entirely, wrap the bracket with a tissue.

Loose Wire

Using a tweezer, try to place your wire back into place. If doing this and using wax does not 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 your discomfort continues, place wax on it.

Loose Appliance

If your appliance is poking you, place wax on the offending part of your appliance.

Headgear Does Not Fit

Sometimes headgear discomfort is caused by not wearing the headgear as instructed. Please follow the instructions given to you. If the facebow is bent, please call for assistance. Surprisingly, the headgear may hurt less if it's worn more, so be sure you're getting in the prescribed hours.

General Soreness

When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. This can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm salt water mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm water and rinse your mouth vigorously. Using topical applications on the affected area may help. If the tenderness is severe, take an analgesic prescribed to you or whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain in the correct dose. The lips, cheeks and tongue may also become irritated for 3 to 5 days as they get accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces to lessen this.