Emergency Care
True orthodontic emergencies are rare, but when they occur we are available to you at all times. As a general rule, when you experience severe pain or have a painful appliance problem you can't take care of yourself, you should call our office at 253-661-7228. We'll schedule an appointment to help resolve the problem. When the office is closed, you can reach our emergency service by calling 949-829-7595.
You may be surprised to learn that you may be able to solve many problems yourself temporarily until you can get to our office. If there is a loose piece that you can remove, put it in a plastic bag or envelope and bring it with you to your next appointment. If your braces are poking you, put soft wax on the piece that's sticking out. If the wire has slid to one side, you can pull it back to the other side with needle-nosed pliers, replacing it in the tube on the back tooth.
After alleviating your discomfort, it is very important that you still call our office as soon as possible 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 cuts or sores in your mouth, as well as your 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 or rinse. 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 alleviate the discomfort.
Loose appliance
If your appliance feels loose or is poking you, apply wax to the affected area for comfort. If a cemented appliance has come loose from its secured position, please call us as soon as possible so we can rebond it and prevent further issues. It's important that all appliances, such as RPE, MARA, and Herbst, remain securely in place in your mouth.
Loose bracket
If you have a broken bracket or band, please call us as soon as possible so we can arrange to rebond it or extend your original next appointment. If the bracket or band is still attached to the wire, leave it in place and use wax for comfort if needed. If it can be easily removed, please place it in an envelope and bring it to your next appointment.
Loose wire
If your wire is loose, try to gently reposition it using tweezers or needle-nosed pliers. You can also use a piece of floss to tie the wire in place, securing it around the bracket as a substitute for the missing colored elastic tie.
If you're unable to adjust the wire comfortably, and using wax doesn't help, you can carefully clip the wire behind the last tooth it’s attached to with small fingernail clippers. If the end of the wire remains sharp, be sure to cover it with wax for added comfort.
If you’re still experiencing discomfort, please give us a call so we can assist you in finding relief.
Poking wire
If there is a piece of wire poking outm, you can use a pencil eraser and push the poking wire down or place wax on it so that it is no longer poking. If you’re still experiencing discomfort, please give us a call so we can assist you in finding relief.