While it can be alarming when something goes wrong with your braces, only the most severe emergencies may require immediate attention by Dr. Kaplan. For true, major orthodontic emergencies, don’t hesitate to call 770.458.5561 right away. However, the majority of common issues are easily treated at home with a follow-up appointment at our office. Remember: We are in this together!
Quick Fixes You Can Do at Home
These issues are common and easy to manage until we see you at your next appointment.
Discomfort & Soreness: It’s normal for a patient to have tenderness for a day or two after braces or retainers are adjusted.
- Solution: Encourage soft foods and rinse your mouth with warm salt water. Over-the-counter pain relievers (like Tylenol) are also an option if there are no allergies.
Irritated Lips, Cheeks, or Mouth Sores: New braces can sometimes cause minor irritation.
- Solution: Pinch off a small piece of the relief wax we provided, roll it into a ball, and place it completely over the area of the braces causing the irritation. You can also apply a topical anesthetic (like Orabase or Ora-Gel) directly to the mouth sore.
Protruding or Poking Wire: Occasionally, the end of a wire will move and irritate your cheek.
- Solution: Use a Q-tip or pencil eraser to gently push the wire so that it is flat against the tooth. If it can’t be moved, cover it with the relief wax until your appointment.
- Last Resort: In extreme cases where you can't get to us soon, you may carefully clip the wire using a pair of sharp clippers, making sure to use a folded tissue to prevent the snipped piece from being swallowed.
Food Caught Between Your Teeth: This is easily fixed!
- Solution: Use dental floss (try tying a small knot in the middle for extra leverage), an interproximal brush, or a toothpick to dislodge food caught between teeth and braces.
What to Do If Something Comes Loose (Brackets or Wires)
If any part of your braces comes loose or breaks, please call us to determine the appropriate next steps.
- Loose Brackets or Bands: If a bracket is knocked off, the parent or guardian should call us immediately. If the loose bracket is rotated and bothering you, you can attempt to slide it along the wire until it is between two teeth, gently rotate it back to the proper position, and slide it back to the center of the tooth.
- Missing or Broken Ligatures (Small Bands/Wires): If a rubber ligature (small band) comes off, you may be able to put it back in place using sterile tweezers. If a wire ligature comes loose, simply remove it with sterile tweezers, or bend it back down with a Q-tip. Please call us to let us know a ligature is missing.
- Loose Teeth: It’s a normal, although disconcerting, part of your treatment to feel as though your teeth are slightly loosened. This is a sign that your braces are doing exactly what we want them to! Once they settle into their new positions, they’ll stop feeling loose.
Kaplan Orthodontics Reviews
Best orthodontist, hands down! Staff is amazing as well. We are very grateful for Dr Kaplan and all the hard work that he and his staff do. They are an amazing team!
We’re extremely satisfied with Dr. Kaplan and highly recommend his practice to anyone and everyone! 2 of my sons have been in his care (one already in treatment, one still being monitored until he grows a bit more before determining the necessary treatment). Dr. Kaplan and his staff are always very patient in explaining the treatment recommendations, and takes the time to answer our questions.
Dear Dr. Jason Kaplan, Leanne, and the entire Kaplan Orthodontics Team,A simple “thank you” does not seem nearly enough to express how grateful I am for the care you have given my daughter, Abigail.Abigail is 15 and already a very independent young lady, but watching her gain even more confidence because of her beautiful new smile has been incredibly meaningful to me as her mother. The transformation is so much more than straight teeth. It is seeing your child smile more freely, carry herself with greater confidence, and feel even better about who she is. As a parent who wants the very best for her children, it is difficult to put into words what that means.Dr. Jason Kaplan and Leanne, you are a remarkable team. What makes your practice so special is not simply your professionalism, talent, and expertise—although all of those are exceptional. It is the combination of excellence and genuine goodness. You are incredibly skilled at what you do, but you also truly care about the children and families who walk through your doors.That heart can be seen in all the little things. The toys, souvenirs, and rewards that celebrate accomplishments along the way may seem small, but they are not. They recognize that no matter how old or independent our children become, they are still our children. You understand how encouragement, recognition, and a little fun can motivate them to do the things that help achieve the best results. Those thoughtful details demonstrate that you have put your heart into your practice.Your entire team is exceptional, and the atmosphere you have created is warm, welcoming, and positive. Even my husband willingly volunteers to take Abigail to her appointments—and I suspect the phenomenal coffee he gets to enjoy in the lobby while waiting for our precious girl may have something to do with it!In our fast-paced world, where it is so easy to simply go through the motions, it is inspiring to encounter people like Dr. Jason and Leanne who do so much more than just run a successful practice. Through your talent, kindness, thoughtfulness, and the way you treat people every day, you are creating something that makes the world a little better.Thank you for taking such wonderful care of Abigail. Thank you for giving her a beautiful smile, but even more importantly, thank you for contributing to the confidence behind that smile.As a mother, I could not ask for more.With heartfelt gratitude and appreciation,Rasa TeytelA very grateful mom
Dr Kaplan and team care about quality work - 100% recommend
The staff and Dr. Kaplan are very friendly and honest. Dr. Kaplan wants to do braces once and the right way, so we will keep checking in and wait until our son is ready. Love this practice - so glad a friend recommended it. AND it’s not in the crazy business of Dunwoody Village!
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Swallowing an Appliance Piece (Rare)
This is rare, but if it happens, encourage the patient to remain calm. Non-aspirated pieces will pass through the digestive system uneventfully. If the patient is coughing excessively or having difficulty breathing, the piece could have been aspirated — call us and seek medical attention immediately.
We are here to help you through any little bumps in the road.
