Orthodontic emergencies

How to fix a poking wire on braces:

If the wire of your braces pops out of place or you have a metal piece bothering you, grab some orthodontic wax. Orthodontic wax (also called dental wax) can be placed over the metal piece or poking wire to serve as a temporary cushion until you’re able to visit us.

If a wire pops out of place, try to push the wire back into the bracket. Use sterilized tweezers or a clean pencil eraser to push the wire back into the bracket. You can also try to clip the loose section of the wire off with a clean pair of nail clippers, then cover the end of the wire with ortho wax.

If your braces bracket becomes loose and detaches from your tooth entirely, try to place it in a ziploc bag. If you can’t find the bracket, that’s okay. Just give us a call, and your orthodontist will advise you on the best plan of action moving forward.

If you have a floating bracket on your braces and it’s still attached to your wire, be extra careful not to swallow the bracket. Take some orthodontic wax, and place it over the floating bracket to temporarily attach it back to the tooth. This way, the bracket won’t bother your cheeks and you’re less likely to swallow the bracket.

If you do happen to swallow your braces bracket, don’t panic. It happens! The swallowed bracket will likely go straight to your stomach with the rest of your food, and pass naturally. If you experience a severe stomach ache, breathing problems, or any unusual symptoms, go to the emergency room.

How long can you go with a loose bracket? While a loose bracket is not an urgent situation, it does require your orthodontist’s attention as soon as possible. In other words, you don’t need to drop everything and hightail it to our office, but you should make it a priority to see us within the week! We don’t want a loose bracket to hinder your treatment progress.

It’s normal for you to experience some minor soreness or tooth wiggling while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. over-the-counter pain relievers, like Tylenol®, can help to alleviate the soreness.

Opt for a soft food diet during your first week with braces, to help minimize the soreness. See our Life With Braces tips for soft food ideas!

You can also gargle some salt water for relief. Mix one teaspoon of salt into eight ounces of lukewarm water. Gargle the solution for at least 30 seconds, then spit it out and repeat until the cup is empty. Salt water mix is a safe, natural solution that helps to disinfect the mouth and ease inflammation.

If you experience persistent pain in your mouth, and Tylenol or saltwater rinses aren’t helping, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We want to ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy, and that your treatment is on the right track.

If you happen to break your retainer, Invisalign® or SureSmile® clear aligners, or another appliance, please do not put the appliance back in your mouth.

Misshapen appliances can damage your mouth or damage your braces, and shouldn’t be forced back into position.

Put your broken appliance in a Ziploc bag and bring it with you to your appointment. If you lost your retainer or clear aligners, please give us a call and we’ll schedule the earliest appointment with you. We want to replace the appliance before your teeth move and your results are compromised!