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Fortunately true orthodontic emergencies are very rare, we advise not to attempt to treat an orthodontic emergency yourself. If you feel uncomfortable or unsure, please contact the practice during normal working hours and we will book you an urgent appointment.
If you lose or break the set of aligners you are wearing, move onto the next set of aligners. They may be tight but will fit better with time. If you are unable to move to the next set, then take the previous set that you kept and wear those – please also contact the practice for further advice.
This is not an emergency, but it can be a little uncomfortable. It is easily fixed 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 interproximal brush or toothpick to dislodge food caught between teeth and braces.
Tiny rubber bands or small, fine wires, known as ligatures, hold the wire to the bracket. If a rubber ligature should come off, you may be able to put it back in place using sterile tweezers.
If the wire ligature is sticking out into the lip, but is not loose, it may be bent back down with a cotton bud or pencil eraser to eliminate the irritation, or pulled out completely. This can be replaced at your next appointment.
It's normal to have discomfort for a day or two after braces or retainers are fitted or adjusted. But it can make eating uncomfortable. This discomfort is both normal and temporary. We recommend eating soft foods for as long as necessary. You can rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
Some patients are susceptible to mouth sores. While braces do not cause them, they may be precipitated or exacerbated by an irritation from braces. One or several areas of ulceration of the cheeks, lips or tongue may appear.
This is not an emergency, but may be uncomfortable. Prompt relief may be achieved by applying a small amount of Bonjela or Iglu directly to the ulcerated surface using a cotton swab. Reapply as needed.
Sometimes new braces can be irritating to the mouth, especially when you are eating. Dry the tooth/bracker/area. A small amount of relief wax makes an excellent buffer between metal and 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 braces causing irritation. You then may eat more comfortably. If the wax is accidentally ingested, it's not a problem (the wax is harmless).
Occasionally, the end of a wire can work itself out of place and irritate your mouth. Use an earbud or pencil eraser to push the wire so that it is flat against the tooth.
If the wire cannot be moved into a comfortable position, cover it with relief wax. (See Irritation of Lips of Cheeks above for instructions on applying relief wax).
Sometimes you may experience a brace wire that breaks. This happens now and again, especially if you are wearing a brace for some length of time.
Brackets are the parts of braces attached to teeth with a special adhesive. They are generally positioned in the centre of each tooth. The bracket can be knocked off if you have eaten hard or crunchy foods, or if your mouth is struck while at play (a protective mouth guard can be worn while playing sports).
If a bracket is loose, cover the bracket with wax. If the bracket comes off by itself, don’t worry, it can repaired at the next visit. If the bracket does come away from the wire please keep it safe and bring it with you to your next appointment.
