Emergency Care

True orthodontic emergencies are rare.  If you are experiencing discomfort or have a broken appliance, please call the office to set up an emergency appointment.  Some orthodontic emergencies can even be handled over the telephone.

Please visit this link for helpful videos and demonstrations on braces care: http://bracesquestions.com/braces-videos/

Some orthodontic emergencies include:

  1. Poking Wire – If a wire is poking your gums or cheek there are several things you can try until you can get to our office for an appointment. First try a ball of wax on the wire. You may also try using a nail clipper to cut the piece of wire that is sticking out. In addition, sometimes a wire can be tucked in or down using a pencil eraser to avoid irritation
  2. Sore Teeth or Gums – It is common for teeth to be sore for 24-48 hours after braces are placed or adjusted.   If teeth are sore, acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) can be taken to alleviate the discomfort.  A soft diet is also recommended to reduce soreness while chewing.  Sore gums can be remedied using warm salt water rinses. 
  3. Loose bracket – If a bracket is loose and still attached to the wire it can often be left in place without causing any discomfort.  If it is causing irritation, it can be removed.  Please call the office to let us know when a bracket is broken so that we can schedule the correct amount of time to replace it.