Some minor problems such as sore teeth, a bent wire, or a broken brace, can occur during orthodontic treatment. You can avoid most broken braces and bent wires by following the “Food for Orthodontic Thought” information sheet. However, even with the toughest braces and proper care, minor problems can still occur. In some cases, you will need to contact our office immediately to schedule an emergency appointment. Here are a few common problems that could occur during orthodontic treatment:

• If your teeth become sore after a visit, we generally recommend that you take an analgesic such as Tylenol or Advil. This, of course, is the protocol only if there are no known allergies to these medications. Rinsing with Peroxyl or a cup of warm water and teaspoon of salt can also be soothing.
• If a wire causes irritation, push the wire away from the area using the eraser end of a pencil or a cotton swab. If the wire cannot be tucked away, cover the end of the wire with a small piece of wax until you can see us for an adjustment.
• If the main wire has come out of the brace or tube on a back molar tooth, attempt to reinsert the wire with a pair of needle nosed pliers or tweezers. If the wire is not poking you, place a piece of wax over the area. If the wire is poking you and wax does not help, the wire can be cut with a small wire cutter or nail clipper close to the back of the last brace. This is a last resort if professional help is unavailable.
• If a brace or band comes loose from a tooth, it usually remains connected to the main wire and is not cause for an emergency visit. Tweezers can be used to reposition the brace if it flips around the wire and becomes a source of irritation. Call our office at your earliest convenience. It may be necessary to schedule a separate visit to repair the loose brace(s), since repairs of this nature usually take additional time.
• If food becomes stuck between your teeth or appliance, use dental floss or a proxy brush to dislodge the food.
• If a part of your braces or your retainer breaks, save the piece and call our office to set up a repair visit.
• If you notice some spaces developing between your teeth while you have braces on, don’t panic! This is usually normal and expected as teeth move into different positions, particularly in the early stages of treatment. They will be closed eventually.
• If an elastic spacer or separator falls out, you can try to replace it yourself by threading a couple pieces of floss through it and then pulling it under and up between the teeth. Then remove the floss. Call our office if you are unsuccessful. If a metal separator falls out, please call our office for further instruction.
• If you experience any bleeding when brushing or flossing, that usually means there is local area of infection. Continue to keep the area clean by brushing, flossing and rinsing with Listerine. If a particular area is painful or you notice a bump of any sort, you should address this to your orthodontist as soon as possible.
• If your appliance, such as an expander, comes loose, call our office and the team member on call will promptly return your call. We will let you know what to do.