Here When You Need Us
If you experience severe pain or have a painful appliance problem that you can’t take care of yourself — call us!
After alleviating your discomfort, it is very important that you still call our orthodontic office as soon as possible to schedule a time to repair the problem. Allowing your appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may disrupt your treatment plan.
Loose Appliance
If your braces or orthodontic appliance is poking you, place wax on the part that hurts.
Loose Wire
Using tweezers, put the wire back in. As a last resort use nail clippers to clip the wire behind the last tooth it’s fastened to. You can use wax as well!
Poking Wire
Using a pencil eraser, push the poking wire down or place wax on it to alleviate the discomfort.
Loose Bracket
If your bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it in place and put wax on it. If the wire comes out entirely, save it to bring into the orthodontic office.

General Soreness
When you first get your braces on, you may feel general soreness for a few days. We have a few great options for you if that’s the case!
Soreness can often be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm saltwater mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in eight ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously.
Placing Orabase Paste in the affected area may also help. If the tenderness is severe, take aspirin or whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain.
Irritation usually doesn’t last long, as your teeth, gums and lips toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces and the slight pressures.