Always Here for You
You probably won’t experience a true orthodontic emergency because they are rare.
But since they do happen from time to time, you need to know how to handle them.
Dr. Amani Morra is a Certified Orthodontic Specialist at Dream Orthodontics in South Surrey, with a Master of Science in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics from the University of Manitoba. If something has gone wrong with your braces or aligners, call our office at 604-542-8552. The team will advise you on whether you need to come in the same day, schedule a repair appointment, or manage things at home until your next visit.
This page covers how to handle the most common braces and aligner problems at home, what counts as an orthodontic emergency, and what to do after hours. Another helpful resource on our website is our full orthodontic care guide.
The following orthodontic emergencies and their treatments are listed in the order from least severe to most severe.
Only the most severe emergencies may require immediate attention by Dr. Morra.
Food Caught Between Your Teeth
This is not an emergency, but it can be uncomfortable or embarrassing. It’s easily fixed with a piece of dental floss.
Try tying a small knot in the middle of the floss to help remove the food or use an interproximal brush or toothpick to dislodge food caught between your teeth and your braces.
Discomfort
It’s normal for you to have discomfort for a day or two after braces or retainers are adjusted, but it can make eating uncomfortable.
This discomfort is very normal and only for a short time.
Try eating soft foods and rinse the mouth with warm saltwater.
Ligatures Coming Off
Tiny rubber bands or small, fine wires, known as ligatures, hold the wire to the bracket. If a rubber ligature should come off, you may be able to put it back in place using sterile tweezers. If a wire ligature comes loose, simply remove it with sterile tweezers.
If your wire ligature is sticking out into the lip but is not loose, you can bend it back down with a Q-tip or pencil eraser so it doesn’t irritate your lip. Of course, when one ligature pops off or breaks, others may follow.
Be sure to examine all your ligatures. Missing or broken ligatures should be brought to the attention of Dr. Morra. If a rubber or wire ligature is lost, tell Dr. Morra so he can advise whether you should be seen.
Irritated Lips or Cheeks
Sometimes new braces can irritate your mouth, especially when you're eating. A small amount of non-medicinal relief wax makes an excellent buffer between the metal and your mouth.
Simply pinch off a small piece and roll it into a ball the size of a small pea. Flatten the ball and place it completely over the area of the braces causing irritation.
Then, you can eat more comfortably. If you accidentally swallow the wax, it’s not a problem. The wax is harmless.
Loose Brackets, Wires, or Bands
If your metal braces in South Surrey come loose in any way, call Dr. Morra to determine the next steps.
Brackets are the parts of braces attached to teeth with a special adhesive. They are generally positioned in the center of each tooth. The bracket can be knocked off if you've eaten one of those hard or crunchy foods you are instructed to avoid, or if the mouth is struck while at play.
We encourage all patients, especially those with braces, to wear a protective mouthguard while playing sports.
If the bracket is off-center, the adhesive may have failed. In this instance, it is best to immediately notify Dr. Morra, who will determine the course of action.
If the loose bracket has rotated on the wire and is sticking out and you can't come to our office immediately, you can do a temporary fix to alleviate discomfort and prevent further damage, but take care to prevent swallowing or another injury.
To put the bracket back in place, use sterile tweezers to slide the bracket along the wire until it is between two teeth.
Mouth Sores
You may be susceptible to mouth sores. While your braces don’t cause them, they may be made worse by irritation from braces.
One or several areas of sores may appear on the cheeks, lips or tongue. This is not an emergency, but may be very uncomfortable for you.
Get quick relief by applying a small amount of topical anesthetic (such as Orabase or Ora-Gel) directly to the area with sores using a cotton swab.
You can reapply as needed.
Protruding Wire
Occasionally, the end of a wire will work itself out of place and irritate your mouth. Use a Q-tip or pencil eraser to push the wire so that it is flat against the tooth.
If the wire cannot be moved into a comfortable position, cover it with relief wax. (See Irritated of Lips or Cheeks above for instructions on applying relief wax.)
You'll need to make Dr. Morra aware of the problem.
In a situation where the wire is extremely bothersome, and you can't see Dr. Morra anytime soon, you may, as a last resort, clip the wire.
Reduce the possibility of swallowing the snipped piece of wire by using folded tissue or gauze around the area.
Use a pair of sharp clippers and snip off the protruding wire. Relief wax may still be necessary to provide comfort to the irritated area.
You Swallow a Piece of Your Appliance
This is rare, but when it does happen, it can be alarming, but stay calm.
If you're coughing excessively or having difficulty breathing, you may have inhaled the piece into your airways or lungs.
If you can see the piece, you may carefully attempt to remove it.
DO NOT make the attempt if you could cause harm.
If appropriate under the circumstances, examine your braces for problems that may result from the missing piece, such as looseness or irritation, and treat as specified above.
If you are unable to see the piece and believe it may have been inhaled, contact us immediately.
Preventing orthodontic emergencies
Most appliance problems are preventable. The two biggest causes of broken brackets and wires are hard or sticky foods, and impact to the mouth during sports. A few habits significantly reduce the chance of a problem.
Foods to avoid with braces
Life with braces can mean adjustments. Hard foods such as raw carrots, apples bitten straight in, hard bread crusts, hard candies, popcorn, ice, and nuts put heavy force on brackets and can pop them off. Sticky foods including chewing gum, toffee, caramel, and chewy sweets can pull brackets away from the tooth surface. Cut hard fruits and vegetables into small pieces. Avoid anything sticky for the entire treatment period.
Sports and mouthguards
A single impact to the mouth during contact sports can break multiple brackets at once. Dream Orthodontics strongly recommends wearing a mouthguard during any sport where contact is possible, including basketball, soccer, hockey, rugby, and martial arts. A custom-fit mouthguard from your dentist provides better protection than an over-the-counter boil-and-bite option. If you have Invisalign or Invisalign Teen, the aligners can be removed during contact sports and a mouthguard worn in their place.
Frequently asked questions: orthodontic emergencies in South Surrey
What should I do if a wire is poking my cheek at night?
Dry the area with a tissue and apply orthodontic wax over the sharp end. This will protect your cheek through the night. In the morning, check whether the wire can be pressed flat with a clean pencil eraser. If it cannot, call Dream Orthodontics at 604-542-8552 to book a wire repair appointment.
My bracket came off. Is this an emergency?
Usually not. A detached bracket does slow down tooth movement in that area, but it is not dangerous. If the bracket is still on the wire, leave it in place and add wax if it is sliding or causing irritation. If it has come off the wire completely, remove it and save it. Call Dream Orthodontics to schedule a rebonding appointment as soon as possible.
I think I swallowed a piece of my braces. What do I do?
Swallowing a small piece of an appliance is usually not harmful; most pieces will pass through the digestive system without issue. However, if you are coughing, feeling short of breath, or suspect the piece went into your airway rather than your stomach, go to the emergency room immediately. If you feel no respiratory symptoms, call Dream Orthodontics to let the team know what happened.
Can I use superglue to fix a loose bracket at home?
No. Never use superglue, household adhesives, or any non-dental product on your appliance. These materials are not safe for use in the mouth and can damage the tooth surface or cause chemical burns to soft tissue. Cover the bracket with orthodontic wax and call the clinic for a proper rebonding appointment.
How long can I wait before getting a broken bracket fixed?
The sooner the better. A broken bracket stops tooth movement at that position, and if left for several weeks, can affect the overall treatment timeline. That said, it is not a same-day emergency unless it is causing significant pain. Call Dream Orthodontics to schedule a repair within a few days of the bracket coming loose.
My Invisalign aligner feels tight but nothing is broken. Is that normal?
Tightness when you first put in a new aligner tray is expected. The aligner is applying gentle force to move your teeth. This pressure typically eases within 24 to 48 hours. If an aligner feels so tight that it will not seat properly, or if the pressure is causing sharp rather than dull discomfort, stop wearing it and call Dream Orthodontics before proceeding to the next tray.
Does Dream Orthodontics offer after-hours emergency care?
Call 604-542-8552 and follow the recorded message for after-hours guidance. For true emergencies involving trauma, bleeding, swallowed appliances, or airway concerns, go to the nearest emergency room rather than waiting for the clinic to open.
Which South Surrey areas does Dream Orthodontics serve?
Dream Orthodontics is at #101, 3038 Croydon Drive, Surrey, BC. Patients come from Grandview Heights, Morgan Crossing, Rosemary Heights, Sunnyside, Ocean Park, Elgin Chantrell, Crescent Beach, Pacific Douglas, and White Rock. Contact us today to schedule your first visit.