Orthodontic Emergency Care

True orthodontic emergencies are rare, but when they occur we are available to you. As a general rule, you should call our office when you experience severe pain or have a painful appliance problem you can’t take care of yourself. We’ll be able to schedule an appointment to resolve the problem.

You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to solve many problems yourself temporarily until you can get to our office. If your braces are poking you, put soft wax on the piece that’s sticking out.

After alleviating your discomfort, it is very important that you still call our office to schedule a time to repair the problem. Allowing your appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions to your treatment plan.

General soreness

When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth, and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for next three to five days starting that evening. There is no discomfort having the brackets (braces) glued to each tooth, but we tend to hear that evening or the next morning that patients are a bit sore.

Irritated gums and other sore spots can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm salt-water mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in eight ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. An alternative (better tasting) mouthwash is the Healthy Gums Rinse by The Natural Dentist. Placing Orabase on the affected area may also help relieve discomfort; Orabase can be found in a pharmacy. If the tenderness is severe, take Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and Naproxen Sodium (Naprosyn, Anaprox) or whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain.

The lips, cheeks, and tongue may become irritated as they learn a new posture and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces to lessen this. We’ll show you how at your bonding appointment.

Loose appliance

If your appliance is poking you, place wax on the offending part. (We will show you how at your initial bonding appoitnment)

Loose bracket

If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it if needed for comfort.

Poking wire

Using a pencil eraser, push the poking wire down or place wax on it so that it is no longer poking.

If you are experiencing an emergency after hours please text us at 512-240-9141 so that we can get back with you right away.