If you do not have an emergency, but need to change an appointment, please leave a message and someone will call you to reschedule when the office reopens.

Most emergencies can wait until your next appointment or until the office reopens. In the meantime, here are some tips to relieve the discomfort:

SORE SPOT ON CHEEK: When you first get braces or an appliance, you may have sore spots develop. You can put wax on the bracket or wire that is rubbing your cheek until it heals. Your mouth will toughen up after a short while.

SORENESS -- YOUR TEETH HURT: Rinse the mouth with warm salt water. Try a pain reliever that you would use for a headache or similar discomfort. Soreness can be expected for 3 to 5 days after a wire adjustment.

LOOSE BRACKET OR BAND: A loose bracket may wait until your next appointment to be fixed. Leave attached to the wire. If uncomfortable, cover with wax. If it comes off the wire completely put in an envelope and bring to your next appointment. Do not connect rubberbands to a loose bracket or band.

POKING WIRE: If wire or tie wire is protruding and poking you, bend the wire back with a pencil eraser or spoon. If this does not work, cover with wax or wet cotton ball until you can call the office and schedule an appointment to clip the wire.

HERBST APPLIANCE: Should appliance come apart when opening mouth too wide: look in mirror; open very wide; slip the rods or plungers into the tubes or sleeves of the upper part and close normally. Do the same thing if the arms on the herbst start to bind or feel like they won't slide freely. Don't force the arms to close.

If you have any bleeding, swelling, or constant pain that an over-the-counter pain reliever will not relieve, please call our office.

Please call your dentist or Dr. Davis immediately if you have an accident involving the teeth.