*If the main wire has come out of the bracket or tube on the molar, attempt to reinsert the wire with a pair of needle nosed pliers or tweezers. If the wire is sticking you, place a piece of wax over the area. If the wire is sticking you and wax does not help, the wire can be cut with a small wire cutter or nail clipper close to the back of the last brace. This is a last resort if professional help is unavailable. *If a ligature (tie wire) is poking you, first try to bend it with a spoon or a pencil eraser. If you are unsuccessful, place a small piece of wax or wet cotton over it until you can come in for an appointment. *If a brace comes loose from a tooth, it usually remains connected to the main wire and is not cause for an emergency visit. Tweezers can be used to reposition the brace if it flips around the wire and becomes a source of irritation. Call our office at your earliest convenience. It may be necessary to schedule a separate visit to repair the loose brace(s), since repairs of this nature usually take additional time. *If your teeth become sore after a visit, we generally recommend that you take an analgesic such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). This, of course, is the protocol only if there are no known allergies to these medications. Rinsing with Peroxyl or a cup of warm salt water can also be soothing. *If a part of your braces or your retainer breaks, save the piece and call to schedule an appointment. *If you notice some small spaces developing between your teeth while you are wearing braces, don't panic! This is usually normal and expected as teeth move into different positions, particularly in the early stages of treatment. They will be closed eventually. *If a separator falls out, it may be possible for you to replace it by threading two pieces of floss through the separator and pulling it down between the teeth. Then, remove the floss. If you are unable to replace the separator, call our office. *If you experience any bleeding when brushing or flossing, that usually means there is a local area of irritation or infection. Continue to keep the area clean by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with Peroxyl. If a particular area is painful, or you notice a bump of any sort, please call for an appointment to have it evaluated. *If food becomes stuck between your teeth, use dental floss or proxy brush to dislodge the food.