Emergencies

There is rarely a real emergency in orthodontics however if you are experiencing any issues with your appliance or treatment please contact our practice.

I have sore teeth …

Your teeth may be tender for 24-48 hours after your appointment. Be reassured, it is perfectly normal for you to feel some discomfort as your teeth begin to move. Taking a tablet for pain relief such as Panadol, eating soft foods and keeping busy is a good way of managing sore teeth, and in no time, you will find that the discomfort has eased.

I have sore lips and cheeks …

Braces are made to be quite smooth and rounded. Even so, the mouth is a sensitive area and it may feel a little irritated in some places until it adjusts to the new appliances. Use the provided silicone wax to place over any area that feel sore. The key is to thoroughly dry the spot you wish to apply the wax to. The wax should only be required for the first couple of weeks while your mouth adjusts to the braces, it can then be kept for an emergency situations – e.g. a broken wire. These sore areas should heal in a few days, but patience is often required. Hang in there!

I have broken my braces…

Occasionally you may have a wire that is a little long. This is likely to be due to your teeth moving, thus creating the excess pokey wire. We recommend you use the wax that we have provided you to cushion your cheeks away from the offending wire. If the wire is still pokey, please contact us for an appointment to manage the wire end.

I have a broken bracket or band …

Eating hard, sticky, or very chewy foods can often lead to a broken bracket or band. Don’t be alarmed. If any piece comes off, save it and bring it with you to your next visit. Please contact our office for an appointment to fix the breakage.

I have lost a colour ring …

The braces we use at WAO are called ‘self ligating’ braces, meaning that the wire is held into the braces by a metal clip rather than relying on the rubber rings some orthodontists use to hold the wire in place. Most of the time we place the colour rings for aesthetic purposes to make braces fun. Unless we have told you that we have placed coloured rings on for a specific purpose, having one come off is not an issue and can wait till your next visit. We will always inform you if we have attached something that you need to make sure doesn’t come off.

I have lost my retainer plate …

It is extremely important that you contact our office as soon as you realise that you have lost your retainer. Teeth may move quickly and become crooked without proper and consistent retainer wear. Please contact our office for an appointment immediately for a replacement retainer to be made.

I can’t turn my expander …

Do not worry if you are having some trouble turning your expander. The following video may remind you of how to do this, however if you are still having trouble, please contact the office for an appointment to check the expander.

I have been hit in the face …

In you receive a knock to your face, teeth or your jaws, check your teeth and the appliances immediately. If your teeth are fractured or loosened or the orthodontic appliances are damaged, contact us or your dentist immediately.

I have trouble brushing my teeth with braces …