Emergency Information
Common Orthodontic Emergencies
True orthodontic emergencies are rare but you should always phone our office anytime something seems wrong with your braces. Most often we can instruct you over the phone on how to resolve the problem (temporarily) along with any discomfort you may be experiencing, as you can often fix your orthodontic issue on your own. However, we would still like you to phone the office on the next business day to schedule an appointment for Dr. Palasz to take a look.
During the first week after your braces are in place and when routine adjustments are completed, you will likely feel some soreness or discomfort. We recommend that you stick to enjoying softer foods until your teeth and mouth feel normal. Swollen or irritated gums along with other sore spots can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm saltwater wash. If the tenderness is more severe, Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Ibuprofen and Naproxen Sodium can be used as directed by parent. We recommend using these methods only as needed as these can actually slow the tooth movement, so it is not advisable to use them frequently while wearing braces.
General Soreness
If your bracket is still attached to the wire, leave in place and put wax on it if needed for comfort. If the bracket is able to be removed easily, place it in a clear plastic bag or envelope and save to bring to your next appointment. Be sure to call on the next office business day to schedule an appointment to fix your broken or loose bracket.
Loose Brackets
Discomfort caused by a wire often occurs as your teeth move and change position during orthodontic treatment. Using a pair of tweezers or needle-nosed pliers, try to put your wire back into place. If you cannot put the wire into a comfortable position, and covering the end with wax doesn’t help, as a last resort use a small fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If the end of the wire is still sharp, place wax on it. Using a pencil eraser, push the poking wire down or place wax on it so that it is no longer poking.
Loose or Poking Wire
Many patients lose a separator during their treatment. Do not worry about losing a separator, but be sure to call our office to see if it needs to be replaced.
Lost Separators