Handling Orthodontic Emergencies
Congratulations! You’re on the path to a stunning smile.
As a rule of thumb, reach out to our office if you’re experiencing discomfort or if something doesn’t seem right with your braces. Pain could be due to a protruding wire or a brace hook irritating your cheek. If you can’t get to our office immediately, you can temporarily alleviate the discomfort by using nail clippers to trim the wire or applying wax to the problematic brace hook. As soon as you can visit us, we’ll take a closer look and address the issue. When something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to call our office. We can provide guidance over the phone or schedule a visit for a closer inspection. You can reach one of our team members on our after hours number—the number is on the business card we provided, or you can obtain them from calling our office phone number.
General Discomfort
When you first get your braces, you may experience some general discomfort in your mouth. Remember, your teeth are starting to realign, and the soft tissues in your mouth need to adjust to the new braces or appliances. You might feel some tenderness and pressure when biting for five to seven days. Over time, in the first few days or weeks, your tissues will become less irritated and more resilient. You can alleviate these feelings by:
