Our goal is to make your experience as smooth and comfortable as possible – and that includes helping you feel confident handling minor issues at home when they pop up.
This guide walks you through the most common situations, what you can safely do at home, and when it’s best to reach out. Remember – you’re not alone in this. We’re here to support you and keep your smile moving forward with care, comfort, and a little Joy along the way.
Most orthodontic concerns look and feel more dramatic than they actually are. In nearly all cases, nothing is urgent or harmful, and waiting until the next business day to reach out is perfectly okay.
If something is uncomfortable, use the home tips below. If you ever feel unsure, you’re always welcome to contact us – we’re happy to help and want you to feel at ease throughout treatment.
It’s very normal to experience mild soreness after braces are placed or after an adjustment, and for a few hours with a new set of aligners.
This tenderness is a sign that your teeth are gently moving – and it will ease quickly.
As your teeth shift, the wire sometimes extends slightly and may irritate the cheek.
If discomfort persists, you can call us or text us a photo during business hours and we’ll guide you through next steps, including trimming if needed.
Brackets can loosen if something firm or sticky is eaten – it happens.
If it isn’t painful, it can stay in place until your next scheduled visit. A small amount of wax can help if it’s spinning or rubbing.
If there is discomfort or the bracket has fully detached, please let us know so we can decide if a sooner visit is needed.
If a wire slips out of place, you can try to gently tuck it back in with clean tweezers. Wax works beautifully if it won’t stay put.
If it continues to slip or becomes uncomfortable, reach out when convenient and we’ll guide you. Most of the time, this is not urgent.
If a tray is misplaced or cracks, don’t worry – you have options and this will not derail treatment.
Send us a message on the next business day for personalized guidance. A single skip rarely has any impact on treatment.
Sometimes a new tray has a small spot that rubs the tongue or cheek.
A clean nail file can be used to gently smooth the edge. Rinse the aligner afterwards and continue wearing as normal. If irritation persists, let us know and we’ll assist.
Attachments help aligners fit and guide movement. Losing one isn’t urgent.
Keep wearing your aligners as instructed and send us a quick message so we can plan for a repair at your next visit, if needed.
True orthodontic emergencies are very rare. If you experience any of the following, please contact us promptly:
For anything else, you can rest easy knowing that waiting until the following business day is usually perfectly fine.
We care about you, your comfort, and your experience throughout treatment. Our team is always happy to support you – whether that means guiding you through a small at-home fix or seeing you in the office.
If you’re ever unsure, a quick text with a photo during business hours is often the easiest way for us to help.
