Patients may occasionally experience mouth injuries during orthodontic treatment. Dental emergencies while wearing braces or other appliances typically fall into two categories: issues related to the orthodontic appliances themselves and direct injuries to the mouth and teeth.
Emergencies Related to Orthodontic Appliances
Sometimes, orthodontic appliances may break or become bent during treatment. If you experience any issues, such as loose bands, loose brackets, or broken or poking wires, please call our office during patient hours to schedule an appointment. If it’s after hours, you can leave a message, and we will return your call on the next business day to arrange a time for your visit. To ensure timely service for all patients, please be aware that we cannot accommodate walk-in emergencies.
In the meantime, it can be helpful to have these tools on hand to manage common orthodontic issues until your visit: orthodontic wax, dental floss, disinfected tweezers, heavy-duty nail clipper, q-tips, pencil with an eraser, salt, toothpicks, OTC pain relievers (acetaminophen or ibuprofen), OTC topical anesthetic (such as Orabase or Ora-Gel).
Quick Fix Tips:
Loose or Broken O-rings: If a rubber O-ring that holds the wire in place falls off, try using disinfected tweezers to put it back. If a wire ligature loosens, you may remove it with tweezers. For a wire sticking out, gently bend it back with a Q-tip or pencil eraser.
Mouth Sores: Some patients may experience mouth sores from irritation. Apply a small amount of topical anesthetic on a cotton swab directly to the sore for quick relief.
Tie Wires: If a tie wire is causing discomfort, cover it with beeswax or tuck it under the archwire with a blunt object like a pencil eraser or Q-tip.
Poking or Loose Wires: Occasionally, a wire end may come out of place and cause irritation. Use a Q-tip or tweezers to push the wire flat against the tooth or into a comfortable position. If the wire cannot be adjusted, apply relief wax and contact our office.
Loose Bands or Brackets: If you notice a loose band or bracket, contact us during patient hours to schedule a repair. You can generally leave a loose appliance in place until seen in the office.
Broken or Poking Archwires: To manage a broken or poking archwire, try using wax or bending it in with an eraser. If necessary, use nail clippers to trim it, but call our office afterward to ensure the appliance is correctly adjusted.
For additional guidance, watch the video below, which explains how to handle common orthodontic emergencies and how to use comfort wax.
Direct Injuries to the Mouth and Teeth
If you experience a direct injury to your mouth or teeth, whether or not you are undergoing orthodontic treatment, you should immediately apply ice to the affected area and contact your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist may need to perform an X-ray to assess the extent of the injury.
If a tooth has been displaced, fractured, or knocked out, reach out to your family dentist promptly. If a tooth has been knocked out, place it in a container with liquid (such as milk or saline) and take it to your dentist or an oral surgeon for re-implantation as quickly as possible.
If any orthodontic appliances are broken, dislodged, or displaced due to the injury, please call us after your dental visit so we can adjust or replace them as needed.
After Office Hours
If an orthodontic emergency arises after hours and causes pain that cannot wait until the next business day, please call our office. Our outgoing message will provide instructions on how to reach our emergency answering service for assistance.
