Most "Emergencies" Are Actually Minor
True orthodontic emergencies — situations requiring immediate professional care — are rare. Most issues that feel urgent can be managed at home until you can schedule an appointment. Here is a guide to the most common situations and exactly what to do.
Poking Wire
**What it feels like:** A sharp end of the archwire is irritating the inside of your cheek or gum.
**What to do:** Use the back of a spoon, a pencil eraser, or a clean fingernail to gently push the wire flat against the tooth. If it will not stay flat, use orthodontic wax to cover the sharp end. Your new patient kit includes wax — keep it with you.
**When to call us:** If the wire has completely slipped out of a bracket or is causing significant pain that wax does not relieve, call us during business hours for a repair appointment.
Loose or Broken Bracket
**What it looks like:** A bracket is spinning on the wire or has detached from the tooth. It may still be attached to the archwire.
**What to do:** If the bracket is still on the wire, leave it in place and cover it with wax if it is irritating. Do not try to remove it. If it has completely come off, save it and bring it to your appointment.
**When to call us:** Call during business hours to schedule a repair. Loose brackets are not urgent — a few days is usually fine — but they should be repaired to keep treatment on track.
Loose or Broken Band
Bands are the metal rings placed around back teeth. If one feels loose, call us to schedule a recementation. Do not try to remove it yourself.
Lost Aligner (Invisalign)
If you lose an aligner, call us right away. Depending on where you are in your treatment sequence, we may have you wear your previous aligner, move to your next aligner, or order a replacement. Do not go without an aligner — your teeth can shift quickly.
Mouth Sores from New Braces
The first one to two weeks with braces are usually the most uncomfortable. Your cheeks and lips are not yet accustomed to the hardware. Use orthodontic wax generously, rinse with warm salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water), and take over-the-counter pain relief if needed.
This discomfort is temporary and gets significantly better after the first few weeks.
Swallowed a Bracket or Piece of Wire
If you swallow a small piece of orthodontic hardware, do not panic — small pieces almost always pass through the digestive system without issue. If you experience chest pain, difficulty breathing, or believe a piece may be stuck, seek emergency medical care immediately. Call our office to let us know so we can replace the piece.
Save Our Number
Add our office number to your contacts: 800-989-6674. For after-hours true emergencies involving significant injury, contact your nearest emergency dental clinic or hospital.