At Bridge City Braces, we understand that emergencies can happen when you least expect them, and we want you to know that our team is here to help guide you through every situation. Our highly skilled team is experienced in handling various emergencies, and we are available to answer any questions you may have.
We know that it can be a little alarming when your braces are poking your gums or a bracket has come loose. However, there are few true emergencies in orthodontics, and most situations can be handled without needing an immediate appointment. Our team has compiled some of the most common issues we see, and we’ve included a few tips and tricks so you can take care of these problems from the comfort of your own home. While a broken bracket may not be an emergency, we do suggest you come in at your convenience so we can repair your appliance and help you continue to progress through your treatment. If you think you may be experiencing an orthodontic emergency, give our office a call at (724) 553-5554.
Common Orthodontic Emergencies
General Soreness
There is typically an adjustment period once you begin corrective treatment, so there’s no need to worry if you feel slight oral discomfort. Your mouth may need time to get used to your appliance and the sensation of your teeth shifting into place. If you do experience any pain or discomfort, you can take over-the-counter pain medicine or apply braces wax to the areas of your appliance that are irritating. If the discomfort persists, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with our office so we can identify the source of the pain and try to fix the cause.
Loose Band Or Bracket
When you have a loose bracket, you should call our office so we can let you know if it needs to be refitted or not. If there is a situation where you must cut the wire to slide the bracket off, we suggest you use a set of sterilized fingernail clippers.
Poking Wires
If you have a wire irritating your gums or soft tissue, you can use an eraser or cotton swab to gently move the wire away from that area and back into place.
Loose Wire
When a wire has come loose, you can try to use clean tweezers to put it back into place. If you have to cut the wire or cannot get the appliance back in order, we encourage you to call our office right away so we can get you in for a repair appointment.