Genuine orthodontic emergencies are rare, and nearly everything that goes wrong with braces can be made comfortable at home in a few minutes. Then you call us, and we fix it properly. Call 410-544-0072 whenever you have severe pain, an injury to the mouth, or an appliance problem you cannot settle yourself.
Two rules cover almost every situation. First, relieve the discomfort immediately. Second, still telephone the office, even when the problem appears to be resolved. A wire or bracket that remains broken stops the teeth moving the way your treatment plan intends, and weeks of progress can quietly disappear.
A Loose or Broken Bracket
If the bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it alone. Do not pull it off. Cover it with orthodontic wax if the edge is rubbing, and call us so we can rebond it at the next opportunity.
If the bracket has come off entirely, put it in an envelope or a small bag and bring it to your appointment. Wax over the exposed spot on the wire until then.
A Poking Wire
A wire that has shifted and is jabbing your cheek or lip is the most common call we get. Push it gently back into position with the eraser end of a pencil or the back of a spoon, then cover the end with wax.
If the wire has slid out of the tube on a back tooth, tweezers or needle-nosed pliers will usually guide it back. Sometimes an elastic o-ring comes off and the wire sits loose in the bracket. A short piece of floss tied around that bracket will hold it until we see you.
Clipping the wire is a last resort, and only when wax is not helping and you cannot reach us. Use a small fingernail clipper, cut behind the last tooth the wire is still firmly attached to, and cover any sharp end with wax afterwards.
We recommend wax rather than cotton for one reason: cotton absorbs saliva, disintegrates, and leaves fibers wrapped around the appliance. Wax stays put and comes off cleanly. Ask us for more at any visit, and keep some in your bag or your locker.
A Loose Band or Appliance
If a band around a molar has loosened, or an expander, retainer, or space maintainer is moving when it should not, stop wearing it if it is removable and call us. Wax handles anything that is poking in the meantime. Bring the appliance with you, in one piece if possible.
Pain, Soreness, and Injuries
Tenderness for a few days after your braces go on or after an adjustment is normal, not an emergency. Rinse with one teaspoon of salt dissolved in eight ounces of warm water, eat softer food, and use acetaminophen if you want a pain reliever. Ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen slow tooth movement, so we would rather you avoided them as a routine. Our life with braces page covers ordinary soreness in more detail.
A blow to the face is different. Check your teeth and appliance immediately. Call us the same day if anything is loose, bent, or displaced. A tooth that has been knocked out, badly fractured, or pushed out of position is a dental emergency first. See your dentist or an emergency room right away, then call us so we can adjust the orthodontic plan around it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orthodontic Emergencies
What counts as an orthodontic emergency?
Severe pain, an injury to the mouth or face, and any appliance problem you cannot make comfortable at home. A loose bracket you have waxed over is not urgent, though it does need an appointment. Swelling, bleeding that does not stop, or a displaced tooth needs same-day attention.
Should I go to the emergency room for a braces problem?
Almost never. Emergency departments and urgent care clinics are not equipped to repair orthodontic appliances. Go there for a facial injury, uncontrolled bleeding, or a knocked-out tooth, then call us. For anything else, call our office first.
Do I still need an appointment if I fixed it myself?
Yes. Home fixes are temporary comfort measures, not repairs. A bracket that is not properly bonded is not moving your tooth, and a wire held in place with floss is not delivering the force it should. Left alone, both add time to your treatment.
Can I be seen if I am not one of your patients?
Call us and we will do what we can. If you are traveling, or your own orthodontist is out of reach, we can usually make you comfortable and stabilize the appliance until you get back to the practice that placed it.
Call Us. That Is What We Are Here For
Dr. Benjamin Wright is a board-certified orthodontist and has managed these situations for more than two decades. Most calls are resolved on the phone in a few minutes. When you need to be seen, we make room for you.
