Severe pain, noticeable swelling, an injury to the mouth or face, or an appliance that's cutting into your cheek or causing infection: these are real emergencies. A loose bracket, a poking wire, or a lost aligner needs prompt attention too, but it usually isn't an emergency in the strict sense and can typically wait for a same-day or next-day appointment.

Try gently pushing the wire down or to the side using a clean pencil eraser or a cotton swab. If that doesn't do the trick, cover the end with orthodontic wax, or a small piece of gauze or a cotton ball if you don't have wax on hand, and call your orthodontist to get it fixed properly.

If it's loose but still attached to the wire, just leave it where it is and cover any sharp edge with orthodontic wax so it doesn't irritate your cheek. Call your orthodontist to book a repair. It's usually not an emergency, but it shouldn't sit too long either, since it can slow your progress.

Not a medical emergency, but it does need quick attention, since teeth can start shifting within days of reduced wear. Get in touch with your orthodontist as soon as you can, especially if you're still early in retention after finishing active treatment.

Some soreness for 2 to 4 days after an adjustment is completely normal and usually manageable with pain relievers, softer foods, and a warm salt water rinse. Severe or worsening pain, especially alongside swelling or a fever, isn't typical though, and that's worth a call to rule out infection.

For anything involving facial injury, serious swelling, or infection, head to an ER or an urgent dental clinic right away. For orthodontic issues specifically, like a broken wire, a loose bracket, or a lost aligner, your orthodontist's office is the right call. Pure Orthodontics offers same-day and emergency appointments for active patients at all of our Alberta and BC locations.

Orthodontic wax is genuinely the most useful thing to keep on hand for a poking wire or bracket. If you've lost an aligner, wearing your previous tray or retainer in the meantime can help stop teeth from shifting. Avoid grabbing scissors or nail clippers to trim a wire yourself, since that's an easy way to get hurt or swallow a small piece.

Pure Orthodontics holds same-day and next-day slots specifically for emergencies among active patients at all seven of our clinics. Text your nearest location directly (the numbers are on our Contact page) rather than just showing up, so the team has time to prepare for whatever you're dealing with.