Most orthodontic problems are uncomfortable, not urgent. A poking wire, a loose bracket, or a sore mouth can usually be managed at home with orthodontic wax, a warm salt-water rinse, or a pencil eraser until we can see you. Heavy bleeding, trouble breathing or swallowing, a suspected broken jaw, or a knocked-out permanent tooth needs emergency care right away.
If something just broke and our office is closed, take a breath. True orthodontic emergencies are rare, and many problems can be solved temporarily on your own. Once you’re comfortable, call us so we can schedule a repair. A damaged appliance left too long can set your treatment plan back.
This guide is organized by what you’re feeling, so you can skip straight to your problem. You’ll find the same core steps on our emergency orthodontic care page.
Poking or protruding wire
A wire that pokes your cheek, lip, or gum usually has an end that has slid out of place or worked loose. Work through these steps in order, and stop as soon as you’re comfortable.
- Press it flat. Use a pencil eraser or a clean cotton swab to gently push the wire down against the tooth.
- Cover it with wax. Press a small piece of orthodontic wax over the sharp end.
- Slide it back. If the wire has shifted to one side, use clean tweezers or needle-nosed pliers to slide it back so the end sits in the tube on your back tooth. If a colored tie is missing, you can tie a piece of floss around the bracket in its place to hold the wire.
- Clip it, as a last resort. If you can’t get the wire comfortable and wax isn’t helping, use a small, clean fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth it’s securely attached to. Cover any sharp end with wax.
When to call: the next business day if wax is keeping you comfortable. Call the same day if the wire is stuck in your cheek, lip, or gum and wax won’t hold it.
Loose or broken bracket
A bracket that spins on the wire or has come off the tooth isn’t dangerous, but it can hold up your treatment until it’s reattached. Here’s how to stay comfortable in the meantime.
- If it’s still on the wire, leave it there. Don’t try to pull it off. If it rubs, cover it with wax.
- If it has come off completely, put it in an envelope or small plastic bag and bring it to your appointment.
- If a band feels loose (the metal ring around a back tooth), treat it the same way: leave it in place and avoid wiggling it.
- Go easy on what you eat. Skip hard, sticky, and chewy foods until we’ve made the repair. Our Life With Braces page has a list of braces-friendly foods.
When to call: the next business day. A loose bracket can wait for business hours, but please don’t wait for your next scheduled visit to let us know.
Lost separator
Separators, sometimes called spacers, are small rings or springs placed between your back teeth for a short time to make room for bands. They can work loose and fall out on their own.
- Save it if you find it.
- Call the office during business hours and let us know.
- Depending on how soon your next appointment is, we may want to replace it before then.
When to call: the next business day.
Loose or broken appliance
Expanders, bands, aligners, and retainers can all loosen, crack, or break. A damaged appliance can add time to your treatment, so it’s worth a quick call even when nothing hurts.
Expanders and other fixed appliances
- If part of the appliance is poking you, cover it with wax.
- Avoid wiggling or pulling on it.
- If it comes out completely, keep it in a small container or bag and bring it with you.
Clear aligners
- If an aligner is cracked, sharp, painful, or badly warped, stop wearing it.
- If you still have your previous set and it fits comfortably, we may ask you to wear it for now. Check with us before you switch.
- Want a refresher on how your aligners work? Our clear aligners page walks through it.
Retainers
- Don’t wear a retainer that’s cracked or warped, and call us as soon as you can if one breaks or goes missing. Our retainer instructions cover day-to-day care.
When to call: as soon as the office opens.
General soreness and what helps
Some tenderness is a normal part of treatment. When your braces first go on, your teeth may be sore to bite on for three to five days. Your lips, cheeks, and tongue may feel irritated for one to two weeks while they get used to the braces.
- Eat soft foods until chewing doesn’t hurt.
- Rinse with warm salt water. Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water, swish it around your mouth, and spit it out.
- Use wax on any bracket that rubs. If you need more wax, just ask us.
- Take a pain reliever if the tenderness is severe, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), or whatever you normally take for a headache. Follow the package directions.
Teeth that feel a little loose during treatment are normal, too. Your teeth need to loosen slightly to move into their new positions. A tooth that suddenly feels loose or out of place after a fall or a hit is different, and you should call us the same day.
When to call: if the pain is severe and isn’t easing with rinses and a pain reliever.
What counts as a real emergency
True orthodontic emergencies are rare, but when one happens, we’re here for you. Use these lists to decide who to call.
Call 911 or go to an emergency room or urgent dental clinic for:
- Heavy or continuous bleeding from the mouth or face
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- A suspected broken or dislocated jaw
- A permanent tooth that’s knocked out, pushed into the gum, or moved far out of position
- Sudden, severe pain with facial swelling, fever, or other signs of infection
Once you’re safe, call us so we can check and repair your braces. If a tooth is knocked out, our post on braces and sports walks through what to do in the first few minutes.
Call our office the same day if:
- A tooth is loose, chipped, or out of place after a hit or fall
- Your bite suddenly feels different, or your jaw won’t open or close normally
- A wire is stuck in your cheek, lip, or gum and wax isn’t holding it
- Your pain isn’t easing with a pain reliever
Call the next business day if:
- A bracket or band is loose or has come off
- A wire is poking, but wax is keeping you comfortable
- A separator has fallen out
- An expander or other appliance is loose but not painful
- An aligner or retainer is cracked, warped, or lost
Bookmark our emergency orthodontic care page so these steps are easy to find next time.
What to keep at home
A small kit makes most of these fixes possible without leaving the house. Keep one at home, and a smaller version in a backpack, sports bag, or purse.
- Orthodontic wax (we’re happy to give you some)
- A pencil with an eraser, or cotton swabs
- Clean tweezers or needle-nosed pliers
- Small, clean fingernail clippers
- Dental floss
- A small mirror
- Salt, for warm salt-water rinses
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen
- A small envelope or zip-top bag for any loose pieces
- Your aligner case, plus your previous set of aligners if you’re in clear aligner treatment
- Both office numbers saved in your phone: Grove City at (614) 875-6169 and Hilliard at (614) 527-0002
Frequently asked questions
Is a broken bracket an emergency?
Usually not. A loose or broken bracket isn’t dangerous, but it can hold up your treatment, so call us during business hours to schedule a repair. If it’s still on the wire, leave it in place and cover it with wax if it rubs.
Can I cut my own braces wire?
Only as a last resort. First try pressing the wire flat with a pencil eraser or covering it with wax. If neither works, use a small, clean fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth it’s securely attached to, then cover any sharp end with wax.
How long will my teeth be sore after getting braces?
Your teeth may be tender to bite on for three to five days after your braces go on. Your lips, cheeks, and tongue may feel irritated for one to two weeks while they adjust. Soft foods, warm salt-water rinses, and wax all help.
What should I do if a separator falls out?
Save it if you can find it, and call the office during business hours. Depending on when your next appointment is, we may want to replace it before then.
What if my aligner cracks or I lose it?
Stop wearing an aligner that’s cracked, sharp, painful, or badly warped, and call us. If you still have your previous set, we may ask you to wear it for now, but check with us before you switch.
Should I go to the emergency room for broken braces?
Not for broken hardware alone. Go to the emergency room or call 911 for heavy bleeding, trouble breathing or swallowing, a suspected broken jaw, or a knocked-out permanent tooth. Once you’re safe, call us so we can check your braces.
Something broke and you’re not sure what to do? Call our Grove City office at (614) 875-6169 or our Hilliard office at (614) 527-0002. If you’re not sure which office to call, check your appointment confirmation. We’ll help you with next steps and get your treatment plan back on track.