Emergency Orthodontic Care
During your treatment you may encounter some common issues, such as soreness, a poking wire or broken brackets and appliances. Many of the most commonly experience issues can actually be temporarily resolved until you can schedule an appointment with us. Below are a few tips on how to address the most common orthodontic issues. If you are able to temporarily resolve your issue, it's important to call us as soon as possible to schedule an appointment to repair damaged appliances: a damaged appliance may not work properly and could disrupt your treatment.
Please call us if you're in severe pain or if you have an issue with an appliance that is causing you pain.
A Broken Bracket
Broken brackets usually don't need to be repaired immediately. If you find one of your brackets becomes loose or broken, and your next appointment is more than 2 weeks away, please contact us to book an appointment to repair the bracket.
A Poking Wire or Appliance
You may be able to temporarily treat a poking wire or appliance by covering the poking part with a small piece of wax. You can also try to clip the wire with a fingernail clipper, provided you can do so safely and easily.
A Lost or Broken Retainer
If you have lost or broken your retainer, you will need to contact us to book an appointment.
A Loose Band
Loose bands usually don't need to be repaired immediately. If you find one of your bands becomes loose and your next appointment is more than 2 weeks away, please contact us to book an appointment to re-cement the band.
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. Placing Orabase on the affected area may help; this can be found in your local pharmacy. If the tenderness is severe, take aspirin or whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain.
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. You can put wax on the braces to lessen this.
