Emergency Information

If the main wire has come out of the bracket or tube on the molar, try to reinsert the wire with tweezers or a pair of needle-nosed pliers. If the wire is poking the inside of your mouth, put a piece of dental wax over the affected area. If wax does not ease the discomfort, the wire can be cut with nail clippers or a small wire cutter very close to the back of the last brace. Only attempt these steps if professional assistance is not available.

If a tie wire is poking you, you may try to bend it back in place with a pencil eraser or a spoon. If this does not work, try placing a small piece of dental wax or damp cotton over the area until professional help is available.

If a brace becomes loose from a tooth, the main wire will typically hold it until your next orthodontic visit. However, tweezers can be used to insert the brace back in place if it flips around the wire and becomes uncomfortable.

If you are experiencing tooth discomfort after an orthodontic visit, we usually recommend a mild analgesic such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Aleve), but these should only be taken if there are no known allergies to these medications. Rinsing the mouth with warm salt water can also help ease discomfort.

If a section of your braces or retainer breaks, please save the piece in a safe place and call our office to schedule an appointment for repair.

If you begin to notice slight spacing developing between your teeth during your braces treatment, do not be alarmed. This is a very common and anticipated as teeth tend to move into different positions, usually during the beginning of treatment. Over time, the spaces will close.

If a separator falls out, you can attempt to replace it by threading two pieces of floss through the separator and pulling it down between the teeth, then removing the floss. If this does not work, please contact our office.

If you notice any bleeding while brushing or flossing, there may be an area of irritation and/or infection. Keep the area as clean as possible and contact our office to have the area evaluated.

If a piece of food becomes lodged between your teeth, use a proxy brush or dental floss to dislodge the food particle.