Emergency Care

Good oral hygiene, avoiding certain foods and other brace-maintenance practices help maintain your braces, but problems may arise occasionally. If you experience any of the following, it’s important you follow the instructions to ensure positive results.

If a wire causes irritation, use a pencil eraser or Q-Tip to tuck the wire away. If this isn’t possible, cover the wire with a small piece of wax, sugarless gum or a cotton ball until you can see Dr. Michael Sawaf for an adjustment.

If your main wire has come out of the tube or pipe on your back molar tooth, use tweezers or a pair of needle-nosed pliers to reinsert it. If the wire isn’t causing irritation, place wax over it until you're able to visit Dr. Sawaf. If the wax doesn’t help, try cutting the wire with a toenail clipper or small wire cutters. Make sure you snip it off as close as possible to the back of the last brace. This, however, should be your last recourse.

Should a rubber spacer fall out, insert two pieces of dental floss through the spacer and pull on both pieces to stretch the spacer out. You can then slide the spacer into its proper position. Once the bottom half of the spacer slips under the tight spot between your teeth, remove the floss and the spacer should fit back properly.

Even if a bracket becomes loose, a little rubber-colored ring usually will ensure it remains connected to the main wire. You can use tweezers to reposition the brace if it flips around the wire and causes irritation. After you’ve completed this procedure, tell Dr. Sawaf about it.

If a piece of your braces breaks, save it and call Dr. Sawaf to schedule an emergency repair.

Remain calm if you swallow a piece of your appliance. It usually will flush into your stomach and pass out during a bowel movement. However, seek immediate medical attention if you experience breathing difficulties.

If your retainer cracks, remove it from your mouth and bring all pieces to Dr. Sawaf for repair or replacement.

Aspirin, Tylenol or Ibuprofen should remove any soreness experienced after your monthly visit. Further relief can be obtained by rinsing your mouth with a cup of warm water mixed with a teaspoon of salt. Call Dr. Sawaf, however, if your teeth suddenly become sore in the middle of the month.

Dental floss or a proxy brush will dislodge any food remaining after you eat.

If your braces cut your gums, tongue or inside of your cheek, apply finger pressure to the bleeding site for several minutes. Call Dr. Sawaf if the bleeding won’t stop.