Follow the steps below to manage a lost tooth, and then call our office immediately after:

• Handle the tooth by the top or crown, being careful not to touch or wipe off the root of the tooth.
• If the tooth is dirty rinse the tooth using milk. If not available, water can be used. Do not scrub the root.
• If possible, place the tooth back into its original location. Be sure it’s facing the correct direction.
• If you’re not able to place the tooth back into the socket, put it in an Optimal Storage Environment (OSE) kit, milk or water (water only if both of the other two options are not available). If none of these are accessible, store the tooth between your cheek and gums or in a clean cloth.

Chipped teeth that don’t cause pain are rarely considered a dental emergency. If you chip a tooth, contact our office or stop by as soon as possible.

Fractured or cracked teeth are considered a dental emergency. The trauma that caused the external crack usually indicates trauma within the tooth, as well. 

If you are experiencing pain or have a large, visible fracture on a tooth, contact us as soon as possible and follow these steps:

• Rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water.
• Use gauze to apply pressure to any site of bleeding for 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops.
• Place a cold compress on any site where facial trauma may have occurred.
• Take an OTC (over-the-counter) pain-killer to reduce pain. Follow directions on the bottle. 

If you are experiencing a toothache or visible swelling associated with a toothache, make an appointment as soon as possible. 

In the meantime, the following steps may help relieve pain:

• Rinse with warm salt water to dislodge any food debris.
• Clean the area around the tooth with gentle brushing and flossing if the site is not too painful.
• Do NOT place aspirin at the site of the toothache. This may cause a chemical burn of the gum tissue.
• Apply a cold compress on the outside of the cheek. If there's visible swelling, apply a cold compress alternating 10 minutes on, 5 minutes off.

For soft tissue injuries such as lacerations (cuts), the following steps should be taken to minimize risk of pain or infection:

• Rinse the area thoroughly with warm water.
• With gauze, apply firm, gentle pressure for 15 minutes.
• Apply a cold compress to the outside of the affected area to control bruising and swelling.
• Contact us immediately if bleeding can't be controlled or if you have a large laceration associated with significant dental trauma (loss of a tooth, swelling).

Right after you initially get your braces on it is normal to feel general soreness and discomfort.

Even biting into a sandwich may cause tenderness. Stick to soft foods such as soup,

oatmeal, and yogurt during your first few days with braces. If you have sore spots in your mouth or tender gums, rinse your mouth with a warm saltwater solution. 

For severe tenderness, you can take over-the-counter pain medication such as Acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

If your retainer or clear aligner gets damaged, call our offices as soon as possible!

Brackets and wires can become dislodged from biting into certain foods or from a direct impact

on the face. 

Call our office immediately to schedule an appointment to repair your hardware. 

In the meantime, apply orthodontic wax over the area. You can also remove the rubber band with tweezers to release the bracket.

For a wire that comes completely out of the molar tube, try to use a pair of tweezers or needle-nose pliers to put the wire back in place. 

If you are unable to do so, cover the end of the wire with orthodontic wax to protect your mouth until you can see us.

Use an eraser from a pencil to gently push the wire down. Alternatively, cover it with orthodontic

wax to prevent it from poking your mouth.