Emergency Care

Stay Calm — We've Got You

Most orthodontic hiccups can be handled at home until we can see you. Here's a quick triage guide for the issues that come up most.

Is this a real emergency?

True orthodontic emergencies are rare. Most issues — loose brackets, poking wires — are uncomfortable but not urgent, and can usually wait until your next visit.

For facial trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, or severe swelling, call 911 or head to the ER right away.

Normal

Soreness & Discomfort

Expect tenderness for 24 to 48 hours after each adjustment — it's a sign your bone is remodeling, exactly as it should.

Rinse: Swish with warm salt water (1 tsp per glass) to soothe irritated gums.
Medicate: Tylenol or ibuprofen works well — take it before the soreness hits its peak.
Eat soft: Smoothies, pasta, soup, yogurt — give yourself a day of easy meals.
Annoying

Poking Wire

As teeth shift into place, the archwire can slide out past the last bracket and poke your cheek. Annoying — but easy to handle.

Wax it: Roll a pea-sized piece of orthodontic wax and press it firmly over the poking end.
Tuck it: For a thin wire, gently nudge it toward the tooth with a clean pencil eraser or cotton swab.
Clip it: If wax won't hold, use clean nail clippers (wiped with alcohol) to snip the wire just behind the last bracket.
Monitor

Loose Bracket

A bracket has come loose from the tooth, but is often still attached to the wire. Not urgent, but worth a heads-up.

Check it: Still threaded on the wire? Leave it in place and cover with wax if it spins.
Save it: If it slid off entirely, pop it into an envelope and bring it to your next visit.
Call us: Give us a quick heads-up so we can lengthen your next appointment to re-bond it.
Low

Lost Separator

That tiny rubber ring between your back teeth slipped out. Whether it matters depends on the timing.

Day before: If it falls out within a day of your appointment, no worries — it already did its job.
Days early: If it's gone several days before your visit, call us so we can pop a new one in if needed.
Low

Broken Aligner

Your clear aligner cracked or split during wear. Don't toss it just yet — here's the play.

Cracked: If it's still holding its shape on your teeth, keep wearing it as planned.
Split: If it's broken in two, try moving up to the next tray. If it seats well, you're good.
No fit: If the next tray won't seat, drop back to the previous one and give us a call.

Talk to us directly.

When something doesn't feel right, give us a call. We'll walk you through what to do and get you in if needed.

(714) 692-4004 Contact Our Office