ProviderDealing with Orthodontic Emergencies
True orthodontic emergencies are rare, but from time to time, issues are bound to arise while straightening your smile. In most cases, a quick fix on the spot can help you stay pain-free until you can get to our office.
Painful rubbing and poking, loose pieces of braces, and wires that have slipped out of place can all be temporarily resolved with a little know-how.
After applying a quick fix and alleviating your immediate discomfort, it's important to call our office. You'll need to schedule a time for us to correct the issue properly. Allowing your appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time could cause disruptions to your treatment plan.
See below for some easy tips and tricks to help relieve general discomfort and temporarily resolve appliance issues until you can see your orthodontist for care.
How to Address Common Orthodontic Issues
Experiencing an orthodontic emergency? Below are some do-it-yourself, quick fixes to help relieve general discomfort and temporarily resolve appliance issues until you can see your orthodontist.
General Soreness
When you first get your braces, you may feel general soreness in your mouth, and your teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. Stick to a soft diet until your teeth do not hurt when chewing.
Irritated gums and other sore spots can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm salt-water mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in eight ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously.If the tenderness is severe, take Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain. Aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®), and Naproxen sodium (Naprosyn®, Anaprox®) actually slow tooth movement, so it is not advisable to use them frequently while wearing braces.
Your lips, cheeks, or tongue may become irritated for one to two weeks as they become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces to help lessen this. We'll show you how!Loose Bracket
If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it if needed for comfort. If the bracket or band can be removed easily, place it in an envelope and save it to bring to your next appointment. But be sure to call us to let us know.
Loose Wire
Using a pair of tweezers or needle-nosed pliers, try to put your wire back into place. It is okay to use a piece of floss to tie the wire into place: tie the floss around the bracket in place of the missing colored o-ring.
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.
Lost or Damaged Aligner
If an aligner is lost or damaged, give us a call right away to let us know. Your orthodontist may order a replacement aligner to help keep your treatment on track.
Once you have contacted us, you can either go back to wearing the aligner you used right before the one you lost (if you still have it), or you can put in your next aligner early (but be sure not to force it).
The best option for you will depend on how long you wore the lost aligner. If you had only just started wearing the lost aligner, go back to the previous one. If you had worn the lost aligner for over a week, it may be best to move to the next one.
Loose Appliance
If your appliance is poking you, place wax on the offending part.
Poking Wire
Using a pencil eraser, push the poking wire down or place wax on it so that it is no longer poking.