Don’t worry — orthodontic emergencies are rare. But they aren’t impossible, and in the unlikely event you have one, you can reach out to us. Call us right away if you are experiencing severe pain that you cannot resolve with the over-the-counter pain relief or the wax we gave you. We will work out the best solution, whether that is talking you through easing the discomfort or scheduling a repair visit at our Brooklyn office.
You might be surprised how many problems you can solve yourself, temporarily, until you can get to us. After you have made yourself comfortable, it is still important to call as soon as possible so we can fix the problem properly. Leaving an appliance damaged for a long time can disrupt your treatment plan.
Our goal is for you to have peace of mind throughout your treatment. You are never alone in your orthodontic care.
Common orthodontic emergencies
Here are some typical problems and what you can do immediately. Not sure what a part is called? Our braces diagram labels each component, which makes it easier to tell us what has happened over the phone.
General soreness
When you first get braces, or after an adjustment, your teeth may be tender to biting pressure for three to five days. Stick to a soft diet until chewing is comfortable. Rinse with warm salt water — one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water, swished vigorously — to relieve irritated gums and sore spots. If the tenderness is severe, take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or whatever you normally take for a headache; aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen can slow tooth movement, so avoid using them often. Lips, cheeks and tongue may be irritated for a week or two as they get used to the braces — wax on the brackets helps, and we will show you how.
Poking wire
Using a pencil eraser, gently push the wire down or flat against the tooth, or place wax on it so that it is no longer poking. If the wire has slid to one side, you can pull it back to the other side with tweezers or needle-nosed pliers and replace it in the tube on the back tooth.
Loose wire
Try to put the wire back into place with tweezers or needle-nosed pliers. It is fine to tie the wire into place with a piece of floss, wrapped around the bracket where the colored o-ring was. If you cannot get the wire into a comfortable position and wax does not help, as a last resort use a small nail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth it is securely fastened to, and put wax on any sharp end.
Loose bracket or band
If the bracket or band is still attached to the wire, leave it in place and cover it with wax if needed for comfort. If it comes off easily, put it in an envelope and bring it to your next appointment. Avoid sticky foods until it is repaired.
Loose appliance
If any part of your appliance is poking you, place wax on the offending part. If a piece comes off, keep it in a plastic bag or envelope and bring it with you.
Lost separator
Generally not urgent. Call us for guidance on next steps before your next appointment.
Headgear
Sometimes discomfort comes from not wearing the headgear as instructed — it should hurt less the more it is worn, so be sure to get in the prescribed number of hours. If the facebow (the metal piece) is bent, call us.
Trauma to the mouth or teeth
For severe injuries, visit an emergency room. Otherwise, rinse with warm salt water, apply ice to reduce swelling, check your teeth and appliances for damage, and call us.
In general, avoid trying to repair anything yourself beyond the quick fixes above, because it might cause further damage, and check your appliances regularly to make sure nothing is wrong.
Don’t forget: keep our number saved in your phone so you have it handy when you need it — (212) 966-9628.