When wearing Braces – Discomfort can Happen
Wearing braces occasionally means your teeth may be sore. Sore teeth are effectively treated with Advil and rinsing with cold water. Many of the archwires Dr. Wilkinson uses are thermally activated. That means the wire changes properties when exposed to varying temperatures. If your teeth are sore immediately following an adjustment, rinse with cold/ice water. 
This will temporarily ease the tension on your teeth. As your teeth move into their ideal position, the archwires will get a little long. They may poke the cheeks from time to time. This is best handled by calling our office to have us clip the ends of the archwire. Temporarily, you can place a small ball of orthodontic wax or sugarless gum on the ends until it is possible to see Dr. Wilkinson. If you do not have any orthodontic wax, your neighborhood grocery store will carry earplugs made of wax that can be used similarly.
Eating certain foods can break/loosen brackets and appliances and/or pull the archwire out of the tube on the back teeth. Most times, a pair of tweezers or clean needle-nose pliers can be used to reinsert the wire into the tube. If the archwire is too stiff or you have any difficulties, please call our office.
Broken/lost brackets are not always emergencies! If possible, save the broken bracket/band and place some wax on the bracket to protect your lip. Please call our office if a bracket comes loose or breaks. Repair of broken or lost brackets will require a separate appointment.
If a spacer is lost prior to a banding appointment, replacement of these will require a separate appointment. Please call our office and we will be happy to advise you.
Please call our office if an expander (RPE) or Herbst- appliance comes loose. Repair of these appliances will require a separate appointment.
Broken retainers should not be self-repaired. If you lose or break a retainer, call our office.
Trauma to the face or mouth can cause dislodgment or embedding of brackets. Please call our office immediately, and we will guide you. Visit our San Antonio Orthodontist for any question