Emergency Care

The most common orthodontic issues are when a wire or a band becomes loose. If there is no pain, these issues do not need to be corrected immediately, however an appointment should be made within a week of the incident. If there is pain, call us right away.

Damaged appliances can extend the length of treatment and negatively affect the final result if they are not fixed.

 1 604.988.3212

Northo Orthodontics
1111 Lonsdale Ave, # 201
North Vancouver, BC V7M 2H4

Common Orthodontic Issues & How To Deal With Them

Loose Wire or Band

A wire or a band occasionally can come loose. If a wire is protruding and is irritating the mouth a blunt instrument (e.g. the rubber at the end of a pencil) can be used to gently push the wire under the archwire. If the irritation is still occurring, wax or wet cotton can be placed on the wire to limit the annoyance. Make an appointment with our office so that we can check and repair the appliance.

If a part of the appliance comes off, save it and bring it with you to your appointment.

General Soreness

When you get your braces put on, you may feel a general soreness in your mouth and teeth may feel slightly tender for one to four days. This can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm saltwater mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. Placing Orabase on the affected area may help; this can be found in a pharmacy. If the tenderness is severe, take aspirin or the pain reliever you  would normally take for headache or similar pain.

The lips, cheeks and tongue may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces to lessen this. We’ll show you how!

Loose Bracket

If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it. If the wire comes out entirely, wrap the bracket with a tissue.

Headgear Does Not Fit

Sometimes headgear discomfort is caused by not wearing the headgear as instructed by your orthodontist. Please refer to the instructions provided by your orthodontist. If the facebow is bent, please call our office for assistance. Surprisingly, the headgear may hurt less as it’s worn more, so be sure you’re getting in the prescribed hours.

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