Braces First Aid
True orthodontic emergencies are rare, but when they occur, we are available for you. As a general rule, you should call the office when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you cannot take care of yourself. When the office is closed, Dr. Valley and her assistants are on call and can be reached on their cell phone. If Dr. Valley is out of town, she has a local orthodontist who will be available to take care of your emergency needs.
You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself. If you are able to alleviate your discomfort on your own, it is very important that you still call our office to inform us of the problem and to schedule an appointment for us to assess the situation.
If you have a damaged appliance, but it is not causing you discomfort, we advise you still call our office to inform us of the situation, so that we may schedule a regular appointment with you to take care of your appliance. Allowing your appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions in your treatment plan.
The following solutions may help you relieve your discomfort:
If you have a poking wire...
If you have a poky wire, don’t worry — it’s a common and easy-to-manage issue! 😊 Here’s what you can do at home:
✔ Use orthodontic wax
Dry the area with a tissue and place a small piece of wax over the poky end to protect your cheek or gums.
✔ Trim it carefully (if needed)
If the wire is sticking out in the back and you can clearly see it, you may use a clean nail clipper to gently clip the very end. Make sure you can reach it safely and avoid swallowing the piece.
✔ Push it back into place
Sometimes you can use the eraser end of a pencil or a clean cotton swab to gently tuck the wire back against the bracket.
✔ Rinse with warm salt water
If the area is irritated, rinse with warm salt water to soothe soreness.
If the wire continues to bother you or you’re unsure about trimming it, please contact our office — we’re happy to help and can schedule a quick comfort visit if needed!
If a brace comes loose from a tooth...
What should I do if a bracket breaks?
Don’t worry — it happens sometimes! 😊 Here’s what to do:
✔ Save the bracket
If it has completely come off, please keep it and bring it with you to your next appointment.
✔ Leave it in place if still attached
If the bracket is still connected to the wire but loose, leave it where it is.
✔ Use orthodontic wax
Place wax over the loose bracket to prevent irritation to your cheeks or gums.
✔ Avoid hard or sticky foods
This will help prevent further damage until we can repair it.
Please give our office a call so we can let you know if you need a quick repair visit or if it can wait until your next scheduled appointment. We’re happy to help!
If the main wire has come out of the brace or tube on a back molar tooth...
Attempt to reinsert the wire with a pair of needle nosed pliers or tweezers. If the wire is not sticking, place a piece of wax over the area. If the wire is sticking and wax does not help, the wire can be cut with a small wire cutter or nail clipper close to the back of the last brace. This is a last resort if professional help is unavailable.
If your teeth become sore after a visit...
We generally recommend that you take an analgesic such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil, Motrin). This, of course, is the protocol only if there are no known allergies to these medications. Rinsing with Peroxyl or a cup of warm water and teaspoon of salt can also be soothing. Chewing sugarless gum for 10 to 15 minutes following an adjustment can often reduce the soreness that may develop.
If your lips, cheeks and tongue have become irritated...
This is normal for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can place a small ball of wax on the braces to smooth the area. If a small sore has developed on the inside of your cheek or lip, use Orabase or a similar non-prescription topical anesthetic that is available at your local drug store.
If a part of your braces or your retainer breaks...
Save the piece and call to set up a repair visit. If your appliance is not repairable, it may be necessary to fabricate a replacement.
If you notice some small spaces developing between your teeth while you have braces on...
Don't panic! This is usually normal and expected as teeth move into different positions, particularly in the early stages of treatment. They will be closed eventually.
If a rubber spacer falls out...
You can try to replace it your self by threading a couple pieces of floss through it and then pulling it under and up between the teeth. Then remove the floss. However, for most it is best to just call the office to schedule an appointment to have us replace it. It only takes us 5 minutes or less.
If you experience any bleeding when brushing or flossing...
That usually means there is a local area of irritation, possibly from retained plaque or food. Continue to keep the area clean by brushing, flossing and rinsing with Listerine.
If a particular area is painful or you notice a bump of any sort...
We’re here to help! 😊 Mild soreness can happen with orthodontic treatment, but we’d like to know about anything unusual.
✔ Check for irritation
Look to see if a wire or bracket may be rubbing the area. You can place orthodontic wax over anything that feels sharp or irritating.
✔ Rinse with warm salt water
This can help soothe tender spots and reduce inflammation.
✔ Take a photo
Please send our office a clear picture of the area so we can better understand what’s going on and guide you on next steps.
✔ Call us if discomfort continues
If the pain increases, swelling develops, or you’re unsure what to do, contact our office. We’ll let you know if you should come in for a quick visit.
We want you to feel comfortable and confident during treatment — don’t hesitate to reach out!
A clear choice for a straight smile
We proudly service patients in San Rafael, Marin, Mill Valley, Novato, and surrounding communities. Book your complimentary consultation with Valley orthodontics today to find out if clear braces are right for you.
