An orthodontic emergency is rare, thankfully; however, your braces or Invisalign appliances may take some getting used to. It is common and normal to experience a bit of soreness when appliances are first put on or some minor aches as teeth begin moving into new positions. The good news is that a true orthodontic emergency is rare!

HOW CAN I PREVENT AN ORTHODONTIC EMERGENCY?

• Be sure to follow the instructions provided to you for caring for your orthodontic appliance.
• Avoiding hard or chewy foods like ice and caramel candies
• Wear mouth guards to protect fixed appliances during high-impact activity
• Avoid ‘playing’ with or picking at your appliances, as this can cause damage 
• Continue to see your family dentist for routine cleanings and periodic check-ups throughout your course of orthodontic treatment.  

MISPLACED OR POKING ARCHWIRE, BRACKET OR TIE

As the teeth start to move, the wire that connects them (archwire) may begin poking near the back of the mouth or irritating the cheeks. You can try moving the wire into a better position with a pencil eraser or a cotton swab. If the wire won’t move, you may be able to cut the end off with a nail clipper sterilized in alcohol — but before doing so, please call our office for our guidance or instructions. Often, you can also use tweezers to gently move a misplaced wire or a tie that’s causing problems.

When wires or brackets cause irritation, covering the metal parts with wax will often help ease the discomfort. As with any of these types of problems, call our office, and we’ll schedule a time to see you, and we can let you know if this is an orthodontic emergency.

GENERAL TOOTH PAIN OR LOOSENING

It’s normal for teeth to become slightly loosened during orthodontic treatment — that shows they’re moving! Sometimes, this movement may be accompanied by tenderness, especially after braces are placed or adjusted. 

For minor soreness, you can use your regular over-the-counter pain reliever. A twice-a-day salt-water rinse may also help: Mix one teaspoon of salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water and rinse for 30 seconds. A warm washcloth or heating pad placed on the outside of the mouth.

LOOSE OR BROKEN BRACKETS, BANDS OR WIRES

This problem is often caused by eating hard or sticky candy or food or playing with the braces. If the band or bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it as is — but don’t connect any elastics to it! You can cover it with orthodontic wax if it’s irritating the inside of your mouth. If it has come off, save it. In either case, call our office to let us know what happened, and we will schedule a visit. Be sure to bring any broken parts with you to the appointment!