Your Braces Guide

Emergencies & Life After Braces

Braces are just the beginning — knowing how to handle issues and care for your smile after treatment is key to lasting results. Here's what to expect and how to stay on track.

Handling Common Issues

Minor problems can happen during treatment, but most aren't true emergencies. If you have a loose bracket, pokey wire, or broken appliance, give us a call — we’ll let you know if it needs immediate attention or can wait until your next visit.

Close-up of a child's open mouth during a dental check-up, with braces on teeth and a dental tool being used by a healthcare professional.

What You Can Fix at Home

Some discomfort can be managed at home. Use orthodontic wax to cover sharp edges or irritated spots, and stick to soft foods if you're sore. If a wire slips out, you can use clean tweezers to gently reposition it. When in doubt — contact us!

A young girl with glasses smiling and giving a thumbs-up while lying on a bed with white sheets.

Braces Off, Retainers On

Getting your braces off is a big milestone! Once they’re removed, you’ll transition to wearing a retainer to keep your teeth in their new positions. We offer several types:

Close-up of a dental model showing a tooth-colored dental crown with a metal base on upper front teeth.

Fixed retainers (bonded behind the teeth)

Close-up of a person's mouth with lips slightly parted, showing a clear dental aligner on upper teeth, as they hold it with their fingers.

Clear removable retainers (nearly invisible)

Close-up of a person's mouth with a dental retainer on their lower teeth, being adjusted with a finger.

Traditional removable retainers

Retainer Care & Long-Term Protection

Wearing your retainer as instructed is the best way to protect your results. Clean removable retainers daily with a toothbrush and cool water — never hot! Keep them in a case when not in use, and let us know if they get lost or damaged. A little care goes a long way in keeping your new smile for life.