Orthodontic Emergencies in Hilliard, OH

Losing a separator during treatment is very common and generally not cause for concern. Give our office a call and we'll let you know whether it needs to be replaced before your next scheduled appointment.

It's completely normal to experience soreness in your teeth and mouth in the days immediately following your braces being placed and after each adjustment appointment. This is simply your teeth responding to the new pressure being applied.

To ease the discomfort, you may take acetaminophen or another non-aspirin pain reliever as directed on the packaging. Gargling with a warm saltwater rinse, one teaspoon of salt dissolved in eight ounces of water, can also provide relief. Applying a warm washcloth or a heating pad to your jaw may help reduce any muscle soreness as well. Most discomfort resolves on its own within a few days.

If a wire is poking or irritating the inside of your cheek or gum, try gently moving it away from the irritated area using a clean cotton swab or the eraser end of a pencil. If the wire won't move, place a small piece of cotton or a bit of orthodontic wax over the end to cushion the area.

If the wire is causing significant pain and cannot be managed with wax, you may carefully trim it using nail clippers or small scissors that have been thoroughly cleaned and sterilized with rubbing alcohol. Cut the wire just behind the last bracket it is secured to.

If a bracket feels loose or has shifted out of position, call our office so we can advise whether it needs to be seen right away or can wait until your next visit. In some situations, you may need to slide the bracket off the wire or cut the wire, you can use nail clippers that have been cleaned and sterilized with rubbing alcohol to do so safely. Please call us the next business day to schedule a repair appointment regardless of how the situation was managed at home.

If a wire has come loose from a bracket, try using clean tweezers, sterilized with rubbing alcohol, to gently guide it back into place. If repositioning isn't possible, place orthodontic wax over any area where the wire is causing irritation. If the wire must be trimmed, use sterilized nail clippers and cut it behind the last bracket where it is secured. Contact our office to schedule a repair visit.

If your headgear is causing discomfort or doesn't seem to be fitting correctly, the most common reason is that it hasn't been worn for the full number of hours prescribed. Please follow Dr. Spoonhower's wear instructions carefully, consistent wear is essential for headgear to work effectively.