True orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they do occur we are available to you. As a general rule, you should call the office when you experience discomfort or when you have an appliance problem that you can't take care of yourself. We'll be able to schedule an appointment to resolve the problem.
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. When working with your braces, it is useful to know the names of the parts of your appliances so that you are able to identify what part is broken or potentially out of place. After alleviating your discomfort, it is very important that you still call our office as soon as possible so that we can schedule a time to repair the problem. Allowing your braces to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions in your treatment plan.
Poking Wire
Using a pencil eraser, push the poking wire down or place wax on it to alleviate the discomfort. We'll show you how!
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 off completely, wrap the bracket with a tissue and bring it to the office. Call the office to schedule a time for the doctor to make the necessary repairs.
Headgear Discomfort
Sometimes headgear discomfort is caused by not wearing the headgear as instructed by your orthodontist. Surprisingly, the headgear may hurt less as it's worn more, so be sure you're getting in the prescribed hours.If you continue to have discomfort with your headgear, please call our office for assistance.
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. If the tooth discomfort is severe, take whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain.Most importantly, stay busy to take your mind off of your braces!
Your lips, cheeks and tongue may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. This can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm saltwater rinse. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. Placing Orabase on a specific sore area may help. Orabase can be found in a pharmacy. Try not to use the wax during this initial “getting used to your braces” time, so that your cheeks can “toughen up”.