Emergency Care

When to Call Us

While most issues are minor inconveniences rather than true emergencies, we never want you to be in pain. As a general rule, you should call our office immediately if you experience:

• Severe pain that is not relieved by over-the-counter pain medication or saltwater rinses.
• A painful appliance problem that you cannot temporarily fix yourself.
• Trauma to the mouth, such as an accident during sports or a fall, which has damaged your teeth or appliances.

If you have a broken piece of your appliance that you can remove easily, please place it in a plastic bag or envelope and bring it with you to your next appointment. Even if you alleviate the discomfort at home, it is vital to call our office as soon as possible to schedule a repair. Leaving an appliance damaged for too long can disrupt your treatment plan and potentially extend the time you need to wear braces.

Temporary Solutions for Common Issues

You might be surprised to learn that you have the tools to solve many minor orthodontic problems right in your own bathroom. With a little patience and the right know-how, you can often stabilize the situation until you can visit our office in Central Oregon.

Here are a few quick fixes for common annoyances:

• Food Caught Between Teeth: This is not an emergency, but it can be uncomfortable. Use dental floss or an interproximal brush to dislodge the food. A knot tied in the middle of the floss can help remove stubborn bits.
• Mouth Sores: Canker sores can be exacerbated by braces. Apply a small amount of topical anesthetic (like Orabase) to the sore for relief.
• Lip or Cheek Irritation: New braces can be rough on soft tissues. Pinch a small piece of orthodontic wax and place it completely over the bracket or wire causing the irritation.

General Soreness

It is completely normal to feel some soreness when you first get your braces on or after a routine adjustment. Your teeth may feel tender to biting pressure for three to five days. During this time, we recommend sticking to a soft diet—think mashed potatoes, yogurt, smoothies, and soup—until chewing becomes comfortable again.

To help relieve irritated gums and sore spots, try rinsing your mouth with a warm saltwater solution. Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water and swish vigorously. This simple remedy is incredibly effective at soothing inflammation.

If the tenderness is significant, you can take Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or whatever you normally use for a headache. Interestingly, medications like Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), and Naproxen Sodium (Naprosyn) can actually slow down tooth movement, so we advise against using them frequently while wearing braces.

Specific Appliance Issues

Sometimes, parts of your appliance may loosen or shift. Here is how to handle specific mechanical issues:

Loose Bracket or Band
If a bracket or band comes loose but is still attached to the wire, leave it in place. You can put orthodontic wax on it to keep it from sliding or irritating your cheek. If the bracket or band comes off entirely, save it in an envelope and bring it to your next appointment.

Loose Wire
If a wire comes loose, try to use a pair of tweezers or needle-nosed pliers to gently guide it back into place. If you are comfortable doing so, you can use a piece of dental floss to tie the wire into position around the bracket (in place of the missing colored O-ring).

Poking Wire
A wire poking into your cheek is a common annoyance. First, try using the eraser end of a pencil to gently push the poking wire down and away from your soft tissue. If that doesn’t work, cover the sharp end with a generous amount of wax. As a last resort, if you cannot come in to see us, you can use a small, clean pair of fingernail clippers to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened.

Headgear Discomfort
Discomfort with headgear is often caused by not wearing it enough. The more you wear it, the less it will hurt! However, if the metal facebow is bent, please call us. Do not try to force it back into shape yourself.