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Orthodontic emergencies

There are very few true orthodontic emergencies. Most of the problems patients encounter can be remedied from home. However, if you have a problem that you cannot seem to resolve on your own, call us as soon as possible and we will try to fit you in for an emergency appointment.

In the meantime, the information below can assist you in resolving problems you may encounter during your orthodontic treatment.

Sore teeth

If your teeth are sore after your visit, you may wish to take Paracetamol or Nurofen or other non - aspirin pain relievers. This will help as you adjust to your new braces. Please follow instructions on the packet. A warm washcloth, heating pad or warm salt water rinses may help to reduce soreness in your mouth or jaw. We recommend a soft diet, limiting food that requires chewing. Rice, pasta or soup are ideal.

Sore teeth

Discomfort with orthodontic treatment

The first week after your braces are in place, you will likely feel some pain, soreness or discomfort as your jaw adjusts. As before, you may take Paracetamol or Nurofen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while you adjust to your new braces. A warm washcloth or heating pad may reduce the soreness in your jaw.

Discomfort with orthodontic treatment

Loose brackets or bands

If a main wire or bracket comes loose, call our office as soon as you can to see if the bracket needs to be re-fitted immediately, or if it can wait until your next scheduled appointment. When braces are first fitted, brackets can sometimes come off as the glue may not take. If you have a situation where you must cut the wire or slide a bracket off the wire, you will need to use fingernail clippers that have been washed thoroughly and sterilised in alcohol. Please call our office the next business day to schedule a repair appointment.

Loose brackets or bands

Wire irritations

If the wire on your braces is causing irritation, you can try moving the wire from the irritated area with a cotton swab. If the wire will not move, you can try covering the sharp end of it with a small piece of cotton wool or a small amount of wax. This will temporarily relieve the irritation. If the wire is still painful, you can cut it with nail clippers that have been washed and sterilised in alcohol. A warm salty mouthwash can also assist. Please call our team to schedule a repair appointment.

Wire irritations

Lost separators

If a separator comes out, please call our office to see if it needs to be replaced. Some patients may lose a separator during treatment, which is common.

Lost separators

How to contact us

You can find our contact information and opening hours here.

If the above information does not help and it is outside of our clinic hours, please private message through Facebook and someone will be in contact. Alternatively, call your local dentist, emergency department at your local hospital, or Perth Children’s Hospital (if the emergency relates to a child).

How to contact us