Orthodontic Emergency Guide

Serious orthodontic emergencies rarely happen, but in case of urgent issues, Seton Smiles is ready to help. For after-hour emergencies, simply call our office, leave your contact information and the details of your emergency. We will then make sure to get back to you as soon as possible.

For non-urgent orthodontic issues, you can refer to the information below that we have prepared for you.

Tooth pain and soreness caused by braces or aligners

A frequent problem is tooth pain for several days after the braces have been adjusted or you get aligners. This tends to make eating more difficult. One suggestion is to make sure soft foods are available. You can also take a non-prescription pain reliever, like you would for a headache, for the first couple days as needed. It takes a few days to a couple weeks for your mouth to get used to new braces or aligners.

Loose Brackets, Wires or Bands

Inconveniences during orthodontic treatment can happen, such as wires, bands, brackets or an elastic band coming loose. Please contact our Seton Smiles team as soon as possible so that we can arrange to check and repair your appliance in a timely manner. Be sure to save any parts and pieces that come off and bring it to the office with you.

As a temporary fix and to avoid discomfort, you can tuck in any loose wire with the help of the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil.

Loose Teeth

Don’t be alarmed if your teeth feel loose at first. This is necessary so they can shift to their new proper positions. Once your teeth are in their final position, the bone will hold your teeth securely again. This is why your retainer is so important!

Irritation of Lips and Cheeks

Sometimes new braces can be irritating to the mouth. A small amount of orthodontic wax makes an excellent buffer between the braces and lips, cheek or tongue. Simply pinch off a small piece and roll it into a ball the size of a small pea. Flatten the ball and place it completely over the area of the braces causing irritation. If possible, dry off the area first as the wax will stick better. If you run out of orthodontic wax, you may be able to find it at most pharmacies and drug stores.