At Maple Orthodontics, we understand that orthodontic emergencies can happen, and we're always here to help. If you experience an orthodontic emergency, it's important to contact our office as soon as possible. We always offer same-day emergency appointments to address urgent orthodontic issues.
Some examples of orthodontic emergencies include: a poking wire, a loose bracket, and lost or broken Aligner trays. If you experience any of these issues, it's important to contact us right away so that we can help you prevent further discomfort or a setback in your treatment progress.
In the meantime, there are some steps you can take to address the issue until you can see one of our doctors or our staff. If you have a poking wire, you can use a cotton swab or pencil eraser to push the wire down and tuck it out of the way. If you have a loose bracket, you can use orthodontic wax to cover the bracket and stabilize it until you can see one of our orthodontists.
Our team of experienced orthodontists and staff are equipped to handle a wide range of orthodontic emergencies. We will work quickly to address the issue and provide relief from any discomfort. We will also provide guidance on how to manage the issue until you can see us in our office.
At Maple Orthodontics, we believe that every patient deserves high-quality orthodontic care, especially in the case of an emergency. If you experience an orthodontic emergency, don't hesitate to contact us right away. We will work with you to address the issue and get you back on track with your orthodontic treatment as quickly as possible.
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 three to five days. Stick to a soft diet until your teeth do not hurt to chew. 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. If the tenderness is severe, take Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain. Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and Naproxen Sodium (Naprosyn, Anaprox) actually slow the tooth movement, so it is not advisable to use them frequently while wearing braces.
The lips, cheeks, and tongue may become irritated for one to two weeks 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!
Loose appliance
If your appliance is poking you, place wax on the offending part.
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. If the bracket or band can be removed easily, place it in an envelope and save it to bring to your next appointment.
Loose wire
Using a pair of tweezers or needle-nosed pliers, try to put your wire back into place. It is okay to use a piece of floss to tie the wire into place: tie the floss around the bracket in place of the missing colored o-ring. If you cannot put the wire into a comfortable position, and covering the end with wax doesn't help, as a last resort use a small fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If the end of the wire is still sharp place wax on it.
Poking wire
Using a pencil eraser, push the poking wire down or place wax on it so that it is no longer poking.