We understand that accidents happen. While a true orthodontic emergency is rare, we want you to contact us when you are in severe pain or have a painful appliance problem you can’t take care of yourself.
In the event of a true emergency, please call our emergency number: 248-965-1143
Solutions to Try at Home
General Tenderness — Try rinsing vigorously with a warm salt water solution: 1 teaspoon of salt to 8 ounces of warm water. You can also try topical pain relievers for teething. If the pain is severe or persists, try an over-the-counter oral pain reliever.
Bleeding or Tender Cheeks and Lips — Place a small amount of dental wax over the bracket or wire that is causing discomfort. Your mouth will need some time to get used to the new surfaces in your mouth.
Loose Band or Bracket — After gently cleaning the bracket, cover it with a small piece of dental wax and call the office during regular business hours for re-cementing. If the bracket falls off, place it in an envelope and bring it with you to your appointment.
Loose or Broken Wire — Use tweezers to place the wire back in the bracket; if you are unable to place it into a comfortable position, cover it with a small piece of dental wax and call the office during normal business hours. If covering it with wax doesn’t help, as a last resort, use a small fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth where it is securely fastened. If the end of the wire is still sharp, cover it with wax.
Poking Wire — Use a clean pencil eraser or the back of a spoon to push the offending wire down or place wax over it.
Lost Tie-Wire or Elastic Tie — This is not a real emergency, but it should be replaced. Call the office at your convenience to schedule an appointment.
Misfitting Removable Appliance — If your removable appliance does not fit properly and you’ve been turning it, try turning the screws back 3 turns and seeing that helps. If it still doesn’t fit, call the office to schedule an appointment.
Injury Involving Teeth — If you were hit in the mouth due to sports, an accident, or any other mishap, call your regular dentist or, in severe cases, the emergency room.