Orthodontic Emergencies and What to Do

A loose or broken bracket

Very common and not an emergency. If the bracket is still on the wire, leave it and cover it with orthodontic wax. If it has come off completely, keep it and bring it in. Call us so we can schedule a repair, because treatment stalls quietly while a bracket is off.

A poking wire

Push the end down gently with the eraser on a pencil, or cover it with wax. If it is genuinely unbearable and you cannot reach us, a wire end can be clipped with sterilized nail clippers as a last resort. Call the next morning.

A lost or broken retainer

Do not go without. If you still have an older retainer that fits, wear that. Call us straight away, because teeth move within days and a replacement retainer made after two weeks of drift may not seat.

General soreness

Normal in the first week and for a day or two after each adjustment. Over-the-counter pain relief, soft food, and a warm salt-water rinse. If it is severe or lasts more than a few days, call.

A swallowed piece of appliance

Usually harmless and it passes. If there is coughing, wheezing, or any difficulty breathing, treat it as a medical emergency and go to an emergency room, because it may have gone into the airway rather than the stomach.

What Happens When You Come In

Emergency visits are short. We find the problem, fix it, and check that nothing else has been disturbed. Repairs are usually done the same visit, and we will tell you whether the incident changes your treatment timeline. Most of the time it does not.

Preventing Orthodontic Emergencies

Avoid the hard and sticky food on the list you were given when your braces went on. Wear a custom mouthguard for any contact sport. Keep a small kit with orthodontic wax, a soft brush, and pain relief in a bag or a car. Bring your retainer case everywhere, and never wrap a retainer in a napkin.