Common Braces Emergencies

How to handle an orthodontic emergency

You may be unsure about what constitutes an orthodontic emergency, especially in the heat of the moment. The good news is, quite a few issues can be remedied from the comfort of your own home. While these home remedies might not eliminate all the discomfort you’re experiencing, they can be very efficient at lessening the symptoms until we can see you in our office.

Below you’ll find information about the most common minor “emergencies” braces patients are likely to encounter and what you can do if they happen to you!

The most common minor “emergencies” you are likely to encounter with your braces

Problems with your braces or appliance

Loose or broken braces brackets

Loosened brackets, or brackets detaching from your teeth, can happen – and neither are serious emergencies. They can result from eating hard or sticky foods, playing with the brackets, or bumping into something with your braces.

If a bracket comes loose or breaks, leave it in place. Do not connect any elastics to it. If the bracket breaks off entirely, just remove it and leave it alone. Your braces will still work properly without it until we can affix a new one.

If it begins to irritate the inside of your mouth, you can cover that part with orthodontic wax. If a piece has broken off, place it in a bag and bring it with you to your appointment.

Lost rubber bands

We often use rubber elastic bands over the brackets to help keep the wire in place – but if one comes off, it’s okay, your treatment will not be interrupted! The brackets are crimped around the wire, so the rubber bands act as an added precaution. If the wire is getting loose, push it back in place with a clean tweezer.

Loose appliance/band

Bands or fixed/banded appliances can come loose with improper diet (ie sticky foods). It is important for you to contact our office immediately if your band or appliance comes loose, so we can schedule a time to re-cement it. If your band or banded appliance is causing discomfort, place wax on the part that is bothering you.

Braces wire slipped completely out

In some instances, the wire may have slipped out completely from the back tooth. If this happens, try and fit it back into the brace with your fingers or with clean tweezers. If you can’t fit it back in, you can also clip it back with clean nail clippers and remove the loose piece (the wire is still fixed in place by the other brackets and so treatment won’t be affected).

If this is unsuccessful, you can call our emergency hotline at 707-548-6247 and a clinician can inspect the wire.

Discomfort in your mouth

Tooth soreness

You may feel mild pain at the beginning of treatment as your teeth adjust to their new positions. This is normal and nothing to worry about.

Your mouth and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. If the tenderness is severe, take whatever you normally take for headaches or similar pain. Another option is rinsing your mouth with a warm saltwater mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in eight ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. If pain persists, contact us for an evaluation.

Ulcers or sores inside your mouth

Sometimes your mouth may be irritated by contact with your braces; in certain cases, this irritation can cause small sores or ulcers. While they can be uncomfortable, they are normal and will go away quickly.

Avoid touching them with your fingers. Cover the irritating bracket or wire with wax, and take a pain reliever if required. We will show you how to use the wax when we give you your kit when your appliance is placed.

You can also rinse with a warm saltwater mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in eight ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. The sores will fade quickly as your mouth heals.

Wire poking cheeks or gums

If the ends of your arch wires are poking out and causing discomfort, there are several ways to fix the issue.
Push the wire back into the molar tube using the disinfected eraser end of a pencil or a clean cotton swab. You can also place a ball of wax on the end of the wire to protect your gums.

As a last resort, trim the wire with nail clippers. Use rubbing alcohol to disinfect the clippers, and then trim the wire back to a comfortable length. You may need a mirror or a family member to assist you!

If you still need help, call our Emergency Hotline 707-548-6247 and a clinician will guide you.

Poking steel tie

If your braces use steel ligatures to connect wires and brackets, these sometimes can unwind and poke your lips, gums, or other parts of your mouth. If this happens, try to push the wire back into place with the clean eraser end of a pencil. Or use wax to cover the end of the poking wire.

Loose teeth

It may sound scary, but your teeth may loosen slightly during orthodontic treatment! It’s all part of the process.

That said, this type of movement can sometimes cause tenderness, especially right after your braces are put on or following an adjustment appointment. Salt water rinses are a tried and true home remedy that can help relieve soreness. Simply mix one teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, then swish it around your mouth for about 30 seconds.

Trauma to the face, teeth, or jaw

Trauma to the face, teeth or jaws, such as in an accident or fall, is serious and requires follow-up with a physician as well as calls to your dentist and Dr. Lynskey.

The same is true of any severe pain or swelling around your teeth, jaw, or mouth, since this can be a sign of infection or disease. Fortunately, these types of emergencies tend to be few and far between!

What to do next

The goal of at-home remedies is to relieve your discomfort ASAP until you can schedule an appointment with our office. After addressing the discomfort, it is very important that you still contact us to schedule a time to repair the problem. Allowing your braces/wires or appliances to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions to your treatment schedule.

It is also important to note that taking proper care of your appliance and wearing a mouthguard during sports and physical activities is the best possible way to prevent minor (or major) orthodontic emergencies.

For emergencies occurring during business hours:

Call Dr. Lynskey’s office to schedule a repair appointment: 707-525-1180.

For after-hours urgent care:

Call our emergency hotline at 707-548-6247. A clinician will respond with instructions.