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Braces are designed to be strong and durable, but accidents can happen. A broken bracket, loose wire, or discomfort between visits can catch you off guard — especially if it happens after office hours or during a busy school or work week.
The good news is that most orthodontic “emergencies” are not true emergencies. With a little know-how and the right steps, you can often manage the situation at home until your orthodontist can see you.
Here’s how to handle common orthodontic problems calmly, safely, and effectively.
Understanding Orthodontic Emergencies
Not all issues with braces require an urgent trip to the orthodontist. Most can be temporarily managed at home. However, it’s important to know when a situation is minor — and when it needs professional attention.
Minor issues you can often handle at home:
- Loose brackets or bands
- Poking wires
- General soreness after adjustments
- Loose or lost ligatures (the small rubber bands around brackets)
Situations that need immediate care:
- Severe pain or bleeding
- A wire or bracket that’s causing injury to your mouth
- Broken appliances affecting your bite or causing significant discomfort
If you’re ever unsure, it’s always best to call your orthodontist’s office. They can help you determine whether you should come in right away or schedule a routine repair.
What to Do If a Bracket Breaks
A broken bracket is one of the most common orthodontic issues. It usually happens from biting something hard, getting bumped during sports, or occasionally from normal wear and tear.
Here’s what to do:
- Check if it’s still attached. If the bracket is still on the wire and not causing discomfort, leave it in place.
- Apply orthodontic wax. Use a small piece to cover sharp edges or irritation points.
- Avoid sticky or crunchy foods. Until it’s repaired, stick to soft foods that won’t worsen the problem.
- Call your orthodontist. Even if it’s not painful, you’ll need a quick repair to keep treatment on track.
If the bracket completely detaches and comes out, save it and bring it to your appointment.
What to Do If a Wire Pops or Pokes
Sometimes a wire may shift or come loose, especially after eating or brushing. While this can be uncomfortable, it’s rarely an emergency.
Try these steps at home:
- Use a clean cotton swab or pencil eraser to gently push the wire back into place.
- Cover the area with orthodontic wax to prevent irritation to your cheek or gums.
- Trim the wire (if necessary). If it’s long and painful, you can carefully clip it with clean nail clippers. Be sure to sanitize them first.
- Call your orthodontist to schedule a repair. They’ll adjust or replace the wire at your next visit.
Avoid chewing gum or hard foods until the wire is fixed — these can make the issue worse.
General Soreness or Discomfort
It’s normal to experience some soreness after adjustments or when new braces are applied. This discomfort typically fades within a few days.
To manage soreness at home:
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water (1 tsp of salt in 8 oz of water).
- Eat soft foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, and smoothies.
- Use over-the-counter pain relief (like acetaminophen or ibuprofen) if needed.
- Apply orthodontic wax to any rough spots irritating your cheeks.
Consistent oral hygiene and hydration can also help your mouth adapt more quickly to braces.
When Rubber Bands or Ligatures Come Loose
If one of your small rubber ligatures (the colorful rings around your brackets) comes off, it’s not an emergency.
If possible, you can use sterilized tweezers to gently reposition it around the bracket. If that’s too difficult, don’t worry — your orthodontist can easily replace it at your next appointment.
For patients wearing rubber bands that connect upper and lower braces, simply stop using the elastic if it causes discomfort or comes loose. Call your orthodontist to confirm whether you should replace it before your next visit.
Mouth Sores and Irritation
New braces can cause minor irritation to the inside of your mouth as it adjusts. This is common and temporary.
You can relieve discomfort by:
- Rinsing with warm salt water
- Applying orthodontic wax to problem areas
- Using a topical oral gel (like Orajel) for temporary numbing
If sores persist or worsen, your orthodontist may make minor adjustments to help relieve the irritation.
Preventing Orthodontic Emergencies
While not every issue can be avoided, good habits go a long way in preventing problems.
Tips to reduce the risk of emergencies:
- Avoid hard or sticky foods — like popcorn, caramel, ice, and hard candy.
- Wear a mouthguard during sports or physical activities.
- Don’t chew on pencils, pens, or fingernails.
- Brush and floss carefully to keep wires and brackets clean.
- Follow your orthodontist’s instructions for elastics or appliances.
By being proactive, you’ll spend less time dealing with repairs and more time moving toward your new smile.
When to Call Your Orthodontist
You should reach out to your orthodontist if:
- A wire or bracket is causing pain or bleeding
- You can’t reposition or cover a loose wire
- Multiple brackets have come loose
- You’ve lost or broken an appliance, such as a retainer or expander
Even if the issue seems minor, calling ensures your treatment stays on track and prevents small problems from becoming bigger ones.
Staying Calm and Confident During Treatment
Braces can take some getting used to, but unexpected issues don’t have to derail your progress. Knowing how to handle small problems at home — and when to call for help — makes a big difference in keeping your smile journey stress-free.
If you’re in Massachusetts and need orthodontic guidance or repair, ARCH Orthodontics provides expert care and same-day assistance for urgent orthodontic issues. Schedule your free consultation or emergency appointment today to keep your treatment running smoothly.