Most braces problems are uncomfortable, not urgent, and easy to fix.
Most braces problems aren't emergencies. A loose bracket or a wire poking your cheek is uncomfortable, but you can usually make it comfortable at home and get it fixed at a planned visit. If you or your child has metal braces in Burbank, here's how to tell what can wait, what needs a call today and what to do in the meantime.
What counts as a real orthodontic emergency
Very little, in practice. A blow to the face or mouth, swelling, bleeding that won't stop or signs of infection need urgent medical or dental care first. Once that's dealt with, call us so the braces can be checked.
Everything else in this guide is about comfort and keeping treatment on track.
Problems you can usually handle at home first
A steel tie poking your lip
The thin steel ties that hold the wire in some brackets can twist outward. Dr. Nathan Nourian's tip is to use the eraser end of a pencil to gently push the tie back under the wire. If that doesn't work, cover it with orthodontic wax until your next visit.
A loose bracket
A bracket is bonded to the tooth with dental adhesive, and sometimes that bond lets go after a bite into something hard. The bracket usually stays on the wire and slides or spins around it. If it's rubbing, cover it with wax. If it isn't bothering you, it can often be left alone, but call the office to let them know in case you need to be seen sooner than your next appointment.
A wire poking your cheek
As teeth move, the end of the wire can start to stick out at the back. Wax is the first fix. Dr. Nourian's braces care instructions explain how to clip a thin wire safely at home, but if you're not confident, or the wire is thick, cover it and call.
Soreness after an adjustment
Teeth often feel sore for a day to three days after a visit. Stick to softer foods and use over-the-counter pain relief if you need it. That's normal and isn't a reason to worry.
Each bracket is bonded to a tooth. If the bond lets go, that tooth stops being guided.
When to call the office the same day
The wire is cutting your cheek and wax won't stay on
A bracket has come off completely along with a loose piece of wire
Something is stopping you from eating or closing your mouth properly
An expander or other appliance has come loose
Calling promptly also matters for treatment time. A bracket that isn't attached can't guide its tooth, so the longer it's left, the further that tooth can fall behind the plan.
Don't glue it, don't force it
Household glues aren't safe in the mouth, and pushing a bracket back into place can move a tooth in the wrong direction. Pulling at a wire can bend it, which changes the force on every tooth it touches. A repair at the office is quick: the bracket is cleaned and rebonded, or the wire is trimmed or replaced.
There's also no cost reason to wait. Textbook Orthodontics doesn't add hidden fees for emergency visits.
Avoiding breakages with metal braces in Burbank
Most broken brackets come from food. Avoid hard and sticky foods and candy, and eat sandwiches and burgers with a knife and fork, since biting straight into them can knock brackets off. Don't chew ice, pens or pencils.
For kids at Burbank High, John Burroughs or Jordan Middle School who play sports, a mouthguard protects both the braces and the lips. We provide sports mouthguards for athletes in treatment.
A small kit in a backpack helps too: orthodontic wax, a travel toothbrush and the case for any elastics. You can read more everyday tips in our post on life with braces.
Getting to us from Burbank
Our Panorama City office at 8424 Van Nuys Blvd is about a 15 minute drive from Burbank. We offer flexible scheduling around the Burbank High and Burroughs extracurricular calendars, and Dr. Nourian sees every patient at every stage of treatment, so the orthodontist fixing your bracket already knows your plan. Learn more about how metal braces work at Textbook Orthodontics.
Frequently asked questions
Can I glue a loose bracket back on myself?
No. Household glues aren't safe for the mouth, and a bracket in the wrong spot can move a tooth incorrectly. The office will clean and rebond it.
How soon does a loose bracket need fixing?
If it isn't causing pain, it can often wait for your next appointment. Call anyway, so the team can decide whether you should come in sooner.
Will a broken bracket make treatment take longer?
It can if it's left for a long time, because that tooth stops being guided. Calling early keeps any delay small.
What if a bracket comes off completely?
Put it in a small bag and bring it to your appointment. Cover any sharp spot on the wire with wax in the meantime.
Can my child keep playing sports with braces?
Yes. A mouthguard designed for braces protects the brackets and the inside of the lips during contact sports and practice.
What should go in a braces emergency kit?
Orthodontic wax, a small mirror, a travel toothbrush, floss picks made for braces and spare elastics if you wear them.
Book a visit for metal braces in Burbank
If something has come loose, call the Panorama City office at (818) 510-3440 or email Panorama@TextbookOrthodontics.com. If you're new to the practice and thinking about metal braces in Burbank, your consultation is free and includes digital X-rays, photographs and a 3D scan before any treatment is recommended.
Panorama City: 8424 Van Nuys Blvd, Panorama City, CA 91402. Call (818) 510-3440.
Los Angeles: 1563 S. Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006. Call (213) 933-6370.
Hawthorne: 14248 Hawthorne Blvd, Hawthorne, CA 90250. Call (310) 751-3098.
Whittier: 14564 Whittier Blvd, Whittier, CA 90605. Call (562) 693-8202.
Book a free consultation: https://textbookorthodontics.com/consultation