Most discomfort caused by braces can be temporarily resolved at home until an appointment with your Orthodontist can be scheduled.

Poking Wire

Occasionally, a wire or brace will become loose. If this is the case, call our office to schedule an appointment for repair. If a wire is poking, gently push the wire away from the cheek or tongue with a pencil eraser and place wax or a piece of sugarless gum over the poking wire to relieve the irritation.

Loose Brace

While a loose brace is not an emergency, it will need to be repaired. In the meantime, if the brace comes loose and is still attached to the wire, leave it in place and put wax on to stop irritation of the cheek or tongue. If the bracket comes off entirely, save it and bring it with you to your next appointment. Please call our office to schedule an appointment.

Loose or Damaged Appliance

If a cemented orthodontic appliance becomes loose on one side, leave the appliance in place. If the appliance is loose on both sides and can be removed easily, take the appliance out and save it. In either case, call the office to schedule a regular appointment. If an appliance is damaged or loose and causing unmanageable pain or discomfort, please call the office.

General Discomfort/Tooth Pain

For the first few days after braces or wires are placed, the teeth are usually tender and sore. The discomfort can be relieved with ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and/or acetaminophen (Tylenol) or similar over-the-counter medication. The lips, tongue, and cheeks may also be sore for the first one to two weeks as they adjust to the surface of the braces. Placing wax over the braces as directed will help relieve the discomfort. Rinsing with warm salt water also will speed up the adjustment process. Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water and rinse for thirty seconds twice per day.

Loosening of Teeth

During orthodontic treatment, it is normal for teeth periodically to become slightly loose as they are repositioned. In fact, teeth must loosen or become mobile prior to being moved. The teeth will lose this mobility after tooth movement has slowed or after braces are removed.