Quarry Orthodontics · Baltimore, MD
True orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they do occur we are available to you. As a general rule, you should call the office when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can't take care of yourself. We'll be able to schedule an appointment to resolve the problem.
You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you schedule an appointment with our office. When working with your appliances, you need to know the names of the parts of your appliances so you can identify what part is broken or out of place. After alleviating your discomfort, it is very important that you still call our office as soon as possible to schedule a time to repair the problem. Allowing your appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions to your treatment plan.
When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth, and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. This can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm saltwater mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in a cup 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 whatever you 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!
If your appliance is poking you, place wax on the offending part of your appliance.
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.
Using a tweezer, try to put your wire back into place. If doing this and using wax doesn't help, as a last resort use a small fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If your discomfort continues, place wax on it.
Using a pencil eraser, push the poking wire down or place wax on it to alleviate the discomfort.
Not sure if it can wait?Call our office and we will help you work out the next step.
Use a pencil eraser to push the poking wire down, or place orthodontic wax over it to relieve the irritation. Even after you feel better, call Quarry Orthodontics as soon as possible so we can schedule a repair, because leaving an appliance damaged can disrupt your treatment plan.
General soreness and tenderness when biting usually last three to five days after braces are placed. Rinse with warm saltwater, made by dissolving one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. Lips, cheeks and tongue can stay irritated for one to two weeks, and wax helps.
If a bracket comes off, keep it and call Quarry Orthodontics at 410-840-7700 so we can schedule a repair. In the meantime, cover any sharp edge with orthodontic wax and avoid hard or sticky foods. A loose bracket is rarely an emergency, but delays can slow your progress.
Usually not, but call us right away. Do not try to bend or force a broken retainer back into place. Avoid wearing it if it hurts or looks damaged, and bring it to your appointment so we can repair or replace it before your teeth begin to shift.
Call us at 410-840-7700 or use the Book Appointment button on this site to book your free initial consultation at 2576 Quarry Lake Drive, Baltimore, MD 21209. We are open Monday to Thursday 9 AM to 3 PM and Friday 7 AM to 4 PM, and welcome children, teens and adults.
Avoid hard, sticky and chewy foods such as popcorn, hard candy, caramel, gum, ice and nuts, and cut crunchy foods like apples and carrots into small pieces. These foods can bend wires or break brackets, which can lengthen treatment. Ask our team for a full list at your first visit.
Brush gently after every meal and before bed, angling the brush at the gumline and around each bracket. Floss daily with a floss threader or orthodontic flossing aid, and use a fluoride rinse if recommended. Careful cleaning prevents stains and cavities, so you finish treatment with healthy teeth.
Yes. We offer a free initial consultation where you meet our team, receive a complete exam and review your history and X-rays. We then discuss your treatment options and costs and create a customized plan. Call 410-840-7700 to schedule yours at 2576 Quarry Lake Drive, Baltimore.
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