A common braces emergency involves a piece of orthodontia rubbing against or poking tender soft tissues inside the mouth. Oftentimes, a loose or broken bracket or a poking wire can be covered with orthodontic wax to alleviate continued irritation.

Invest in inexpensive tweezers, nail clippers, and a dental mirror to keep with your orthodontic wax. Keep these supplies, with pain relievers and sugarless gum, in a small zipper bag. It’s wise to have two kits: one for your daily carry bag and another for your home. Some people also keep one in the car.

An adult or teen with steady hands may effectively bend a poking wire, but children need an adult’s help. Tweezers or a pencil eraser can bend a poking wire toward teeth, so it won’t poke cheeks or gums. You can also use tweezers to replace an elastic over a bracket or press an unwound spring away from soft tissues. 

Nail clippers can snip a wire that’s extending too far past the last bracket or that has come loose. 

Rest assured, we can repair your braces at your next appointment or if you call for a quick pop-in visit between regular appointments.

Age-appropriate dosage of Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, or their generic counterparts will ease soreness and pain. Patients sometimes experience discomfort after first having braces placed, then after adjustment appointments. Only take the pain relievers when you need them, rather than preventively each day. Too much medication can cause negative effects. 

Also, keep sugarless chewing gum nearby. In some cases, chewing sugar-free gum will help ease oral discomfort by stimulating blood flow.

At some point, most orthodontic patients develop a mouth ulcer or sore. Touching the area will introduce additional bacteria, which can lead to infection. Touching can also further irritate the sore. After covering any parts of your braces that rub or poke the area with wax and bending or trimming a poking wire, apply the topical oral numbing gel directly to the sore.

Orajel, Anbesol, or generic oral analgesic gel contains lidocaine to numb soft tissues in the mouth. Parents may use such gel for teething toddlers, but you can also apply the gel to sore spots in your mouth due to braces issues.

You can also rinse your mouth with a mixture of lukewarm water and table salt to dry out and help heal the ulcer or sore.

If your orthodontic retainer breaks, don’t wear it. A broken retainer may apply force in an inappropriate location, which will harm rather than help your orthodontic therapy. Instead, simply stop wearing it until you can bring it in for repair. However, don’t wait too long! Not wearing your retainer will allow teeth to drift out of alignment, contradicting treatment goals.