Emergency Care

There are very few true orthodontic emergencies and most of them can be taken care of at home. We’ll go through some of the most common problems and show you how to resolve them. However, if you have any doubts or concern, don’t hesitate to call us. We’ll be happy to schedule an appointment for you and address the issues.

Sore Teeth

It’s normal to experience some aches during your orthodontic treatment. Some people may experience more discomfort than others. You can take Tylenol or ibuprofen while you adjust to your braces or new wires. Rinsing with warm salt water can sometimes reduce the soreness.

Wire Irritation

While teeth are moving, sometimes the wire in the back will be exposed and cause irritation to the gum. Placing a piece of orthodontic wax or cotton around the poking end can temporarily relieve the discomfort. If the wire is really bothersome, you can cut it with nail clippers or scissors that have  been washed or sterilized in alcohol.

Nisco-Orthodontics Emergency Care

Sometimes we use thin orthodontic wire around an individual tooth to correct rotations. If the ends of the thin wire become irritating, try moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or eraser. If the wire will not move, you can place a piece of wax around the end to get relief.

Loose Brackets

If any bracket becomes loose, please call our office to see if it needs immediate repair. We’ll try to schedule an emergency appointment as soon as possible. Sometimes, if the loose brace is the terminal bracket, the wire can be irritating. You may use nail clippers that have been washed or sterilized in alcohol to clip the exposed wire .

Lost Separator

If you lose a separator, please call our office to schedule an appointment to replace it. If the separator comes out one day before your appointment, you do not need to worry about it. We will be able to proceed to the next step without it.