Help! What do I do now?

Although accidents can happen, true orthodontic emergencies are rare. In our experience, many of the problems you might experience can be resolved at home or with a quick office visit. If you do encounter a situation you can’t resolve with the tips below, please call us at 1-888-333-3757.

We’ll admit it—new braces or appliances can be a real pain. Cheek and lip soreness typically lasts from 2-4 days following initial placement of braces. In rare cases, soreness may last up to ten days. To reduce irritation, apply orthodontic wax or Gishy Goo oral silicone to the offending brackets or wires to smooth the area. Over time, the cheeks and lips will adjust to the new appliances.

Some soreness of the teeth is normal for a few days after orthodontic adjustments or initial placement of braces. We recommend Ibuprofen (Advil®) or acetaminophen (Tylenol®) as needed for pain. Call your health care provider for dosing instructions.

Alarming though it may seem, a broken bracket isn’t an urgent problem. Generally, the bracket remains attached to the wire, but it may slide or rotate on the wire. Please call our office to schedule a repair. Meanwhile, some orthodontic wax on the broken bracket will help reduce any irritation to the inside of the mouth.

Typically, a loose wire doesn’t need to be repaired immediately. Please call our office at your convenience to schedule a repair. If the wire is irritating the inside of your mouth, you can use a clean fingernail clipper to cut the wire and remove the broken end.

For any traumatic injury to the teeth and braces, contact your general dentist to assess the damage and decide whether or not you should be seen by the orthodontist.

For additional questions, please see our FAQ.