Emergency Care

A bracket is any of the pieces that are glued to the front of your tooth and bands are the metal rings that fit around your back molars. Occasionally, a bracket or band may become loose. If it is still attached to the wire, leave it in place and cover it with wax if needed to lessen discomfort. If it has fallen out or can be removed, keep it in an envelope to bring with you to the office at your next appointment. Usually, a loose bracket won’t necessitate immediate repair and can wait until your next appointment. But if you are experiencing severe pain give us a call to address the issue. 

A loose or poking wire isn’t uncommon and can be understandably irritating. If a wire is poking out at the back of your braces, you can clip it yourself using nail clippers. If it’s poking on a side or in the front of your mouth, you can use a pencil eraser to gently push the wire down and/or place wax on it to keep it from poking. If you’ve tried these remedies to no avail and the wire is causing you pain, please call the office so our team can assist you. 

If your clear Essix retainer or Invisalign trays are poking or rubbing your gums, you can file the edges with a nail file or a small piece of sandpaper. This will often do the trick! 

It is very normal to feel general soreness when you first get your braces on and when the orthodontist makes adjustments. Your mouth and teeth may be tender for a few days as they adjust to the pressure of the attachments. We recommend taking pain relievers like Advil as needed, eating a diet of soft foods until your teeth no longer hurt, and/or icing your gums for up to 15 minutes.