If you experience any of the following, contact us so we can examine and adjust your appliance. The quicker you report an issue, the more smoothly your treatment will progress.

General Soreness

You may feel some tenderness in your mouth and teeth when you first get your braces and after adjustments. Rinsing with warm salt water — 1 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water — can ease it, and an over-the-counter pain reliever helps if the soreness is more severe. Your tongue, cheeks, and lips may also feel sensitive as they get used to your braces. Placing wax over the brackets soothes these areas, and we’ll show you how when you receive your kit. If the discomfort continues, contact us.

Poking Or Broken Wire

If a wire is poking your cheek or tongue, cover the end with a small piece of orthodontic wax. You can gently guide the wire back into place with the eraser end of a pencil or a clean cotton swab. As a last resort, you can carefully clip the very end with clean nail clippers — then give us a call so we can check it. A warm salt-water rinse will help any sore spots heal.

Loose Wire Or Bracket

Loose brackets and wires are some of the most common orthodontic problems. If a bracket comes loose but is still attached to the wire, leave it in place and cover it with wax so it doesn’t rub. If a bracket separates completely, save it and bring it with you to your appointment. A loose bracket usually isn’t urgent, but call us so we can schedule a repair, since leaving it too long can slow your progress. For more on caring for your appliance, see Protecting Your Braces.

Lost Or Loose Spacer

Spacers sometimes slip out on their own, especially toward the end of the week they’re placed. If a spacer falls out, give us a call — depending on the timing, it may need to be replaced before your next appointment.

Broken Or Lost Retainer

Stop wearing a cracked retainer, as it can irritate your gums and won’t hold your teeth properly. If you’ve lost a retainer or it no longer fits, call us right away. Teeth can shift quickly without retention, and a prompt replacement protects the results you’ve worked so hard for.

Cracked Or Lost Clear Aligner

If you crack or lose a clear aligner, don’t simply skip ahead to the next one. As a temporary measure, go back to your previous aligner — it should still fit — to hold your progress, then call us. We’ll let you know whether to move forward or order a replacement. You can learn more on our Clear Aligners page.

Irritation And Mouth Sores

As your cheeks and lips adjust to your braces, you may develop sore spots. Orthodontic wax placed over the bracket or wire that’s rubbing is very effective, and a salt-water rinse soothes the area and speeds healing. Good daily care helps prevent irritation in the first place — see Braces And Oral Hygiene for our tips.

Injury To The Mouth Or A Knocked-Out Tooth

A blow to the mouth, a loose or displaced tooth, or a knocked-out tooth is a true emergency. Seek immediate medical or dental care — call 911 or go to the emergency room — and then contact us so we can address your appliance once you’ve been treated.

Swallowed A Piece Of Your Appliance

It’s rare, but if you swallow a small piece of your braces and you’re breathing and speaking normally, it will usually pass without any harm. If you’re coughing, choking, or having any trouble breathing, seek emergency care immediately.

Caring For Discomfort At Home

A few simple things reliably help while you wait to be seen: orthodontic wax over anything that’s rubbing, warm salt-water rinses for soreness and sores, an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed, and a cold compress to ease swelling. Stick to soft foods for a day or two after an adjustment, and avoid hard and sticky foods that can damage your appliance — our Foods To Avoid guide explains what to skip.

Preventing Orthodontic Emergencies

Most emergencies can be avoided with a little care. Wear a mouthguard during sports and other physical activities to protect your appliance, keep up good oral hygiene, and follow the food guidelines we provide. If you’re just beginning your journey, our Braces and Clear Aligners pages explain what to expect at every step.

Same-Day Emergency Appointments In Philadelphia

Art of Smile – Center for Cosmetic Orthodontics is conveniently located in South Philadelphia, and we welcome both current patients and anyone in the Philadelphia area facing an orthodontic emergency. Don’t let a small problem turn into a bigger one — we’re here to help.

For more information, or to be seen as soon as possible, please contact our office: (215) 800-0015. You can also Request an Appointment or Contact Us.