Orthodontic Emergencies

This is not an emergency, but it can be uncomfortable or embarrassing. It can be easily resolved with a piece of dental floss.

Try tying a small knot in the middle of the floss to help remove the food, or use an interdental brush or a toothpick to dislodge the food stuck between the teeth and braces.

Small elastic bands or thin wires, known as ligatures, hold the wire to the bracket. If a rubber ligature comes off, you may be able to reposition it using sterilized tweezers. If a wire ligature becomes loose, simply remove it with sterilized tweezers.

If the wire ligature is poking out of your lip but isn’t loose, you can bend it down with a cotton swab or pencil eraser so it doesn’t irritate the lip. Of course, when one ligature comes off or breaks, others may follow.

Make sure to check all the ligatures. Missing or broken ligatures should be reported to our doctors. If a rubber or wire ligature is lost, let our doctors know so they can advise if it needs to be addressed.

It is normal to feel discomfort for one or two days after adjusting your braces or retainers, but it can make eating uncomfortable.

This discomfort is very normal and only lasts for a short time.

Try eating soft foods and rinse your mouth with warm saltwater.

You may be prone to mouth sores. While braces don’t cause them, they can make them worse due to irritation from the braces.

One or more sore spots may appear on the cheeks, lips, or tongue. This is not an emergency, but it can be very uncomfortable.

Get quick relief by applying a small amount of topical anesthetic (such as Orabase or Ora-Gel) directly to the sore area using a cotton swab.

You can reapply as needed.

Sometimes, new braces can irritate your mouth, especially when eating. A small amount of non-medical relief wax makes an excellent buffer between the metal and your mouth.

Simply pinch off a small piece and roll it into a ball the size of a small pea. Flatten the ball and place it completely over the area of the brackets causing irritation.

Then, you’ll be able to eat more comfortably. If you accidentally swallow the wax, there’s no problem. The wax is harmless.

Occasionally, the end of a wire may come out of place and irritate your mouth. Use a cotton swab or pencil eraser to push the wire back so that it lies flat against the tooth.

If the wire cannot be moved into a comfortable position, cover it with relief wax. (See Lip or Cheek Irritation above for instructions on how to apply relief wax).

You should inform our doctors about the issue.

In a situation where the wire is extremely bothersome and you cannot see our doctors in the short term, you may, as a last resort, cut the wire.

To reduce the chance of swallowing the cut wire, use a folded paper towel or gauze around the area.

Use a pair of sharp scissors and cut the protruding wire. Relief wax may still be needed to provide comfort to the irritated area.

If your braces become loose in any way, call our doctors to determine the next steps.

Brackets are the parts of the braces that are attached to the teeth with a special adhesive. They are usually placed in the center of each tooth. The bracket may come off if you’ve eaten one of those hard or crunchy foods you’re told to avoid, or if you get hit in the mouth while playing.

We encourage all patients, especially those with braces, to wear a protective mouthguard while playing sports.

If the bracket is off-center, the adhesive may have failed. In this case, it’s best to notify our doctors immediately, who will determine the course of action.

If the loose bracket has rotated on the wire and is sticking out and you can’t come to our office right away, you can make a temporary repair to relieve discomfort and prevent further damage, but be careful not to swallow it or cause any other injury.

To reposition the bracket, use sterilized tweezers to slide the bracket along the wire until it is between two teeth.

This is rare, but when it happens, it can be alarming, so stay calm.

If you cough excessively or have difficulty breathing, you may have inhaled the piece into your airways or lungs.

If you can see the piece, you can try to remove it carefully.

Do not attempt if it could cause harm.

If applicable, check your braces for issues that may result from the missing piece, such as looseness or irritation, and address them as outlined above.

If you cannot see the piece and believe it may have been inhaled, call our doctors immediately.