Comfort Appointments
Smile. Pass It On!
Your Comfort Is Our Priority
If you are going to have braces on your teeth for a year or two then the chances are you will likely experience some type of appliance issue. Our goal is to help you obtain the smile you deserve in the most comfortable and efficient way possible, so if you do experience any problems during treatment, we’re here to help!
The most common orthodontic issues are loose brackets and poking or broken wires. When these types of problems occur you may develop sores on your gums, tongue, or cheek. During this time, you can take some recommended measures to either help treat the pain or prevent the issue from progressing. Below are some remedies and tips for the more common problems we see with appliances.
The purpose of the braces is to act as handlebars to hold the wire, which together is required for straightening your teeth. While the braces are bonded to your teeth with strong adhesive and are meant to be tough, they can become loosened when you eat sticky or hard-to-chew foods. Brackets can also become loose if you endure an injury to the head or mouth. Be sure to talk to Dr. Rucker and his team about using a mouthguard to give you valuable protection against sports-related injuries! Please contact our office immediately if you experience a loose bracket.
What To Do
If you have a loose bracket, it is recommended to keep them in place until you can be seen in our office. If the loose bracket is located in the back molars, attempt to carefully slide the bracket off the end of the wire and cover the exposed wire with orthodontic wax. Please save and bring the removed bracket with you to your emergency orthodontic appointment.
The purpose of the braces is to act as handlebars to hold the wire, which together is required for straightening your teeth. While the braces are bonded to your teeth with strong adhesive and are meant to be tough, they can become loosened when you eat sticky or hard-to-chew foods. Brackets can also become loose if you endure an injury to the head or mouth. Be sure to talk to Dr. Rucker and his team about using a mouthguard to give you valuable protection against sports-related injuries! Please contact our office immediately if you experience a loose bracket.
What To Do
If you have a loose bracket, it is recommended to keep them in place until you can be seen in our office. If the loose bracket is located in the back molars, attempt to carefully slide the bracket off the end of the wire and cover the exposed wire with orthodontic wax. Please save and bring the removed bracket with you to your emergency orthodontic appointment.
Sometimes during your orthodontic treatment, you may experience wire irritation. This can cause symptoms such as discomfort, irritation, or pain that can become unbearable if left untreated.
What To Do
When you or your child experience wire irritation, dry the irritated area with cotton or tissue, and then cover the wire with orthodontic wax until you can be seen in our office.
If you’ve just recently had your braces bonded or wire changed, it will usually take around 2-4 days for the general soreness to subside. For some patients, the tenderness in the teeth can last for a week or more, but if you feel that the soreness is becoming unbearable, schedule an immediate appointment with your orthodontist in Temecula, Dr. Rucker.
What To Do
If you are experiencing general soreness, it is recommended to take over-the-counter pain medication, such as Tylenol, Motrin, or Advil, to ease the discomfort.
Contact Our Team For Any Appliance Issues
If you have any questions or experience any issues with your braces or appliances, fill out the form below or call/text us at (951) 302-0685 immediately so we can evaluate the urgency of the problem and schedule accordingly.