Emergencies

There are very few true orthodontic emergencies, as most problems can be handled at home. However, if you have a situation that you cannot resolve on your own, call us as soon as possible, so we can fit you in for a repair appointment. To keep everything in line, follow the instructions below to keep your teeth happy!

 

Give us a call to see if we need to repair the bracket. If you must cut the wire, use fingernail clippers that have been sterilized with alcohol. Remember this is not usually an emergency. Just call our office to schedule a repair appointment.  If you have the bracket or band, put it in a zip type bag and bring it with you to the appointment.

 

This is not usually an afterhours emergency, but instead requires a repair appointment. Give us a call and we will fit you in as soon as possible, just don’t wait too long as we know you don’t want your teeth to move! 

If you have a wire sticking or rubbing your mouth, you may use fingernail clippers that have been sterilized with alcohol to clip the wire. Wax or silicone earplugs (available at the drugstore) may be placed over any spots that are rubbing, just remember to dry the spot really well so the wax will stick.

 

It is common to lose a separator during treatment, but it is best to call our office to see if it needs to be replaced.

For a broken or sticking wire, use fingernail clippers that have been sterilized with alcohol. Be sure to call us to schedule a repair appointment, as we don’t want you to lose any ground by waiting too long to have a new wire placed.

 

When you first get your braces and sometimes after adjustments, you may feel general soreness in your mouth and teeth may be tender when biting for three to five days. Continue a soft diet, and rinsing your mouth with a warm saltwater mouthwash may help ease some of the soreness. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. You may also take ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen as needed.

 

The 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. It’s like going barefoot in the summer – your feet have to develop calluses, and the process can be sore. Keep your lips lubricated with lip balm, and apply wax on the braces to lessen the irritation – just make sure they are super dry so the wax will stick. Silicone earplugs (available at the drugstore) are also helpful and sometimes stick better than wax.

Sometimes headgear discomfort is caused by not wearing the headgear as instructed. You may need a refresher on how to wear it, so call us for a good time to come by. If the facebow is bent, please call our office for assistance. 

It is super important to keep your teeth and gums healthy during orthodontic treatment. If you don’t clean your teeth well enough (even if you’re brushing twice a day), your gums could swell and bleed. Gentle but thorough brushing and flossing will usually help return the gums to a healthy state. If these measures don’t help, please call for an appointment to get it checked.

 

Run; don’t walk to your regular dentist as soon as possible. Usually an x-ray of the involved teeth is required to determine the extent of the injury. We will not have the necessary equipment and materials needed to treat these injuries, and we don’t want you to waste any time getting it checked. Once your dentist has completed emergency treatment, we can then adjust or replace any broken orthodontic appliances – just call us to schedule.

Although uncommon, allergic reactions during orthodontic treatment can occur. Patients may be allergic to the metal in some appliances, or to the latex gloves worn by staff. If unusual or unexplained symptoms such as inflammation, redness in your mouth, or a skin rash appear, please call us for advice.