True orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they do occur we are available to you. As a general rule, you should call the office or the Emergency number (please listen to the message on the answering machine, at the end of the message is the emergency number!) when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can't take care of yourself. We will get you in immediately to resolve the problem! 

You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you schedule an appointment with our office. When working with your appliances, you need to know the names of the parts of your appliances so you are able to identify what part is broken or out of place. After alleviating your discomfort, it is very important that you still call our office as soon as possible to schedule a time to repair the problem. Allowing your appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions in your treatment plan.

• General Soreness

   

  When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. This can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm saltwater mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. Placing Orabase on the affected area may help; this can be found in a pharmacy. If the tenderness is severe, over-the-counter pain relievers may be taken to relieve this discomfort.

  The lips, cheeks and tongue have to toughen up to your new braces (similar as to how your hands toughen up when you work in the garden the first weekend of spring), it should only be a few days until you become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces to lessen this. We'll show you how!
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• Headgear

   

  Sometimes headgear discomfort is caused by not wearing the headgear as instructed by your orthodontist. Please refer to the instructions provided by your orthodontist. If the facebow is bent, please call our office for assistance. Surprisingly, the headgear may hurt less as it's worn more, so be sure you're getting in the prescribed hours.  If wearing a headgear always be sure to use your break-away safety strap supplied.
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• Loose Appliance

   

  If your appliance is poking you, place wax on the offending part of your appliance.
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• Loose Bracket

   

  If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it. If the wire comes out entirely, wrap the bracket with a tissue.
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• Loose Wire

   

  Using a tweezer, try to put your wire back into place. If you are unable to get the wire back into place, please call our emergency number if it is bothering you!  Wax will also help if you are away and unable to come into the office!
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• Poking Wire

   

  Using a pencil eraser, push the poking wire down or place wax on it to alleviate the discomfort.
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