Orthodontic Care Tips & Emergency Guide | Saracino Orthodontics
While everyone’s orthodontic journey is unique, we’ve put together some helpful tips and resources that apply to most treatments to make your experience comfortable and successful. Use the menu below to navigate to your needed topic!
If you have an orthodontic emergency, scroll to the Emergency Care section below or call our office at 314-649-8999.
Tips for a Successful Orthodontic Treatment
1. Why is it important to follow orthodontic instructions?
Skipping elastics or failing to wear aligners as directed can extend treatment time by weeks or months.
2. How should I clean my teeth with braces?
Brush after every meal using a soft-bristle brush, and floss daily using a floss threader or orthodontic flosser to clean around brackets and wires.
3. What foods should I avoid with braces?
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Hard, Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables: Raw apples, carrots, corn on the cob should be cut into small pieces or off of the cob (Not avoided during treatment)
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Chewy or Sticky Foods: Caramel, chewing gum, taffy
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Crunchy Foods: Popcorn, chips, nuts, hard pretzels
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Hard Foods: Hard candy, ice, hard crusted bread
4. Can I play sports with braces?
Yes. We provide a custom mouthguard to protect your brackets and teeth during contact sports. Store-bought mouthguards are not recommended as they do not fit over braces properly.
Orthodontic Emergency Guide - What to Do If...
As careful as our patients are, sometimes orthodontic emergencies do occur. Luckily, many of these issues can be managed at home until you can visit our office.
Here are some quick tips for handling common orthodontic problems:
1. What do I do if a bracket comes loose?
If the bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it in place and apply orthodontic wax to prevent irritation. Call our office at 314-649-8999 to schedule a repair appointment.
2. What do I do if a wire is poking my cheek?
Apply orthodontic wax over the sharp end. You can gently push the wire flat with a pencil eraser. If it cannot be managed, call 314-649-8999 - do not cut the wire yourself unless absolutely necessary.
3. Is it normal for braces to hurt?
Mild soreness for 3–5 days after each adjustment is normal. Use ibuprofen or acetaminophen, rinse with warm salt water (1 tsp salt in 8 oz water), and eat soft foods until soreness subsides.
4. Broken or Lost Aligners
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Next Set of Aligners: If you have lost or broken your current set of aligners, move on to the next aligner in the set and wear for two weeks, and call our team.
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Contact Your Orthodontist: Inform your orthodontist immediately so they can guide you on the next steps and provide replacements if necessary.
FAQs
What do I do if a bracket comes loose or falls off?
If your bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it in place, apply orthodontic wax to prevent irritation, and call Saracino Orthodontics at 314-649-8999 to schedule a repair appointment. If the bracket has completely detached, save the piece in a small bag and bring it to your appointment. Loose brackets are not an emergency unless you are in significant pain. Most repairs can be scheduled at your next available appointment.
What should I do if a wire is poking my cheek or gum?
If a wire is poking your cheek, apply orthodontic wax over the sharp end to cover it. You can also gently push the wire flat against your tooth using a clean pencil eraser. If the wire has come out of the back bracket entirely, try to slide it back into place using tweezers. If you cannot manage the wire at home, call Saracino Orthodontics at 314-649-8999. Do not attempt to cut the wire yourself unless it is causing severe pain and cannot be managed.
Is it normal for braces to hurt after each adjustment?
Yes. Mild soreness and pressure for 3 to 5 days after each adjustment appointment is completely normal. Your teeth and jaw are responding to the force applied during the adjustment. To manage discomfort: take over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed, rinse with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in 8 oz of water), and eat soft foods for the first few days after each visit. The soreness typically peaks at 24 to 48 hours and then subsides.
What should I do if I lose or break a clear aligner?
If you lose or break your current clear aligner, move on to the next aligner in your series and wear it for two weeks. Call Saracino Orthodontics at 314-649-8999 to let us know and confirm whether a replacement is needed. If your next aligner is unavailable, wear the previous one temporarily to maintain tooth position. A replacement fee may apply for lost aligners. To avoid future losses, always store aligners in their protective case - never wrap them in a napkin.
How should I maintain good oral hygiene with braces?
With braces, brush your teeth after every meal using a soft-bristle toothbrush angled at 45 degrees toward the gum line. Use an interdental brush or floss threader to clean between brackets and wires - standard flossing is difficult with braces. Fluoride mouthwash can help reach areas a brush cannot. At Saracino Orthodontics, we recommend keeping a travel toothbrush kit with you during treatment so you can brush after meals at school or work.
Can I play sports with orthodontic braces?
Yes. Patients with braces can participate in most sports. At Saracino Orthodontics, we provide a custom mouthguard designed to fit over brackets - standard mouthguards do not accommodate braces properly and should not be used. For contact sports, wearing this mouthguard every time is essential to protect your brackets and teeth from impact. If your mouthguard is lost or damaged, contact our office at 314-649-8999 for a replacement.
When should I call the orthodontist for an emergency vs. wait until my next appointment?
Call Saracino Orthodontics at 314-649-8999 immediately if you experience: severe pain or swelling that cannot be managed with over-the-counter medication, an injury to your mouth or face involving your braces, or inability to eat or drink. Most common issues - loose brackets, poking wires, mild soreness - can wait until your next scheduled appointment or be managed at home with orthodontic wax and over-the-counter pain relief. When in doubt, call and our team will advise.