Orthodontic emergencies

If the piece was simply swallowed, most of the time, the bracket will pass through your body on its own. Orthodontic materials are not digestible and will not be dissolved by the acid in your stomach.

However, if you experience excessive coughing or difficulty breathing, the piece may have been inhaled. If you can see the piece, you may carefully attempt to remove it. If you cannot see the piece and believe it may have been inhaled, contact us immediately. If it is after hours, the messaging system at the office will provide instructions on how to contact a doctor.

Brackets are attached to the teeth using a special adhesive but can be loosened or knocked off if you bite into hard food, chew something sticky, or accidentally get hit in the mouth while playing sports. Bands, on the other hand, are metal rings cemented around teeth. If bands are loose, there is no immediate danger, but not treating it for weeks can lead to gum or decay concerns. In these cases, it’s important to contact our office to schedule an appointment and determine next steps.

In the meantime, if your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and apply wax for comfort if necessary. If the bracket or band can be removed easily, place it in an envelope and save it to bring to your next appointment.

Sometimes, a wire used in braces may shift slightly and stick out, irritating the mouth. To alleviate this discomfort, you can use a pencil eraser to gently push the wire back against the tooth. If this doesn’t work, applying orthodontic wax can provide some relief.

In more severe cases, when the wire is causing significant pain and the previous remedies don’t help, it may be necessary to carefully trim the wire using sharp clippers and apply orthodontic wax over any excess. However, it is strongly recommended you contact us for guidance and to schedule an appointment so that we can properly resolve this issue for you.

New braces can sometimes irritate the mouth, especially while eating. However, you can prevent rubbing and additional irritation by applying a small amount of orthodontic wax, which acts as a protective barrier between the metal and your mouth.

Simply pinch off a small piece, roll it into a ball, and then flatten it over the area of the braces that is irritating. Don’t worry if you accidentally swallow some of the wax while eating– the wax is harmless!

Sores can appear on various parts of your mouth, including your lips, tongue, or the inside of your cheeks, and braces can sometimes worsen these sores, causing discomfort. While not an emergency, dealing with these sores can be quite uncomfortable.

To alleviate the discomfort caused by these ulcers, simply apply a small amount of a topical anesthetic like Ora-Gel using a cotton swab. Reapply as needed to find relief. Additionally, using a mouth-sore rinse like Colgate Peroxyl can not only soothe the discomfort but also aid in the healing process. If the discomfort continues for several days, we recommend reaching out to us for further assistance.

Ligatures refer to the small wires or rubber bands responsible for securing the wire to the bracket. In the event that a rubber ligature falls off, you may be able to put it back in place using a pair of sterile tweezers. On the other hand, if a wire ligature becomes loose, gently remove it using sterile tweezers. In case a wire ligature is protruding towards your lip but isn’t loose, you may bend it back down using a pencil eraser to eliminate irritation.

It’s important to note that when one ligature breaks, others may follow. We recommend calling your orthodontist so we can advise on the next steps, and whether you may need to come in to have the ligatures fixed.

The first few days after any orthodontic appliance is delivered to you, you may feel general soreness in your teeth, gums or lips. We recommend choosing soft foods for meals until the tenderness dissipates and it doesn’t hurt to chew.

To alleviate irritated gums and other sore spots, simply rinse your mouth with warm saltwater. The saltwater served to reduce any swelling that may be present. At the start of orthodontic treatment with braces, it’s common for the lips, cheeks, and tongue to experience irritation as they adjust to the new position and surfaces of the braces. To alleviate this discomfort, applying wax to the offending areas can provide relief. We suggest using medications you may use for headaches for relief from orthodontic tenderness, if necessary. Additionally, relief can also be improved by placing a warm washcloth on the outside of your jawline to further help with your discomfort. If you need additional advice, don’t hesitate to contact us!

While this may be a bit uncomfortable or embarrassing for a braces patient, it’s easily fixed with floss! Try tying a small knot in the middle of a piece of floss to help remove the food. You can also use an interproximal brush or toothpick to dislodge food caught between teeth and braces.