Managing Comfort During Orthodontic Treatment
At Kirk Orthodontics, we want your treatment to be as smooth and comfortable as possible. While true orthodontic emergencies are rare, minor discomforts can happen along the way. The good news? Most issues can be easily managed at home with a few simple tricks.
What to Expect with New Braces
It’s completely normal to experience some discomfort in the first few days after getting braces or after adjustments. Your teeth are moving into their new positions, and your mouth is getting used to your new appliances.
Mild soreness can be managed with soft foods and over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or Advil.
Tissue irritation is common as your lips and cheeks adjust—using orthodontic wax can help.
Salt water rinses can soothe sore spots and promote healing.
Common Orthodontic Issues & How to Handle Them
Protruding Wire
If a wire begins to stick out at the back, apply wax to cover it and prevent irritation.
If it’s very bothersome and you cannot get to our office soon, you can clip the wire carefully with nail clippers (place a tissue behind the area to prevent swallowing the small piece).
Contact us so we can schedule an appointment if needed.
If a bracket becomes loose, take a photo of the area and text or email it to our office for guidance.
Orthodontic wax can be used to keep the bracket in place and prevent irritation.
Call us during regular business hours, and we’ll let you know if it needs to be repaired before your next scheduled visit.
Loose Bracket
If a bracket becomes loose, take a photo of the area and text or email it to our office for guidance.
Orthodontic wax can be used to keep the bracket in place and prevent irritation.
Call us during regular business hours, and we’ll let you know if it needs to be repaired before your next scheduled visit.
Coloured Ligature Came Off
If one of the small coloured rubber bands (ligatures) comes off, you may be able to replace it with tweezers.
If you can’t replace it, take a photo and text/email it to us, and we’ll let you know if it needs to be fixed before your next visit.
Poking Metal Ligature
If a thin metal ligature wire is poking your cheek, gently push it back toward the tooth using the eraser end of a pencil or a clean cotton swab.
If needed, apply orthodontic wax over the area to reduce irritation.
If you continue to have trouble, call us during regular business hours.
Tissue Irritation
Your lips and cheeks may feel irritated at first, but they will adjust over time.
Apply orthodontic wax over any brackets or wires causing discomfort. Wax can be picked up at your appointments with us, or purchased at most drugstores.
Warm salt water rinses (1 tsp salt in 8 oz of water) help soothe sore areas.
Parts of Braces
It can be helpful to know what the different parts of your braces are called when trying to manage a comfort tissue. Also see our Parts of Braces Video.
Other Trusted Resources
