Reviewed by Andrew Welling, DDS, MS in Orthodontics, board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. Last reviewed July 2026. Bailey-Welling Orthodontics is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists.
If you’re a Bailey-Welling Orthodontics patient in Bountiful, Farmington, or anywhere in Davis County and something just went wrong with your braces or retainer after hours, take a breath. The good news is that almost everything that happens with orthodontic treatment can safely wait until the next business day.
Broken braces, like a poking wire or a loose bracket, plus a bit of soreness, are uncomfortable, but they’re rarely a true emergency. You can usually handle it at home tonight and we’ll take care of it when we see you.
This guide walks you through the most common after-hours issues, what you can do right now to feel more comfortable, and the short list of situations where you should actually call us or, if it’s life-threatening, call 911.
Can it wait until morning? In most cases, yes.
Here’s the simple version. The common issues below are the ones we hear about most often after hours, whether you wear braces or Invisalign, and they’re all things you can manage at home until your next appointment. The reason most of them can wait is that teeth move gradually, over weeks, so a night or two between an issue and a repair won’t undo your progress. A loose bracket, a poking wire, or a missing band is uncomfortable, but it isn’t harming your teeth in the meantime.
So if you’re dealing with one of the issues below, you don’t need to call the after-hours line. Read the quick fix, take care of it tonight, and call us during regular hours. Calling first lets us set aside the right time to see you, which is easier on everyone than showing up unannounced.
It helps to sort any after-hours issue into one of three levels:
Wait until morning
The common issues below. Handle them at home tonight and call us during office hours.
Call us now
The true after-hours emergencies listed below. Call the office that’s treating you.
Call 911
Anything life-threatening, like trouble breathing or major facial trauma.
Common after-hours issues you can handle at home
These are the ones we hear about most, whether you wear braces or Invisalign. Each can wait until the next business day.
A wire is poking your cheek or gum
Not an emergency, and one of the easiest things to fix yourself.
What to do
Cover the end with orthodontic wax to stop the irritation. If the wire is long, only trim it with a clean nail clipper when you can clearly and safely see the end. Otherwise leave it covered and call us during business hours.
A bracket came loose or broke off
Can wait until your next visit.
What to do
If it’s still on the wire, leave it in place. If it came off completely, save it and bring it in. A loose bracket just stops guiding that one tooth until we re-bond it, so a short wait won’t hurt your progress.
A tie or elastic broke or came loose
Normal, and not a problem.
What to do
Gently remove a loose tie with clean fingers. If a small elastic breaks, take out any remaining pieces so nothing irritates your mouth.
You lost a rubber band
No big deal.
What to do
If you have extras at home, replace it. If not, it’s fine to wait until your next appointment to get more.
Your teeth or mouth feel sore
Normal, and it passes in a few days.
What to do
Rinse with warm salt water, about half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, and take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed on the label.
A wire broke or slipped out of place
Usually fine to wait.
What to do
If the end is poking you, cover it with wax, or use a clean pencil eraser to gently push it flat. Once it’s not poking you, you’re okay until morning.
A new appliance is causing pressure
Part of the process, not a problem.
What to do
Put a little wax on any spot that’s rubbing, and rinse with warm salt water to soothe the area. It settles as your mouth adjusts.
Your retainer broke or you lost it
Can wait until we’re open.
What to do
Keep all the pieces and bring them in. If you have an older retainer that still fits, wear it in the meantime so your teeth hold their position.
You lost or cracked an Invisalign aligner
Don’t worry, this can wait.
What to do
Keep wearing your previous aligner so your teeth hold steady, or move to your next set only if we’ve already told you that’s the plan. Save any cracked pieces and call us during office hours so we can advise you on your Invisalign treatment.
When you should call us after hours
We keep our after-hours line open for true emergencies, and a small number of situations really do call for it.
These could be true emergencies
- Severe pain that doesn’t improve with over-the-counter medication
- Swelling in your face
- Trauma to the face, mouth, or teeth
- Bleeding you can’t get under control
- An appliance that breaks or comes loose in a way that keeps you from opening or closing your mouth
- A swallowed or inhaled piece of your braces. If you’re breathing normally and feel fine, call us for guidance. If you develop choking, trouble breathing, or severe pain, seek emergency care or call 911 right away.
If you’re dealing with any of these, call the office that’s treating you:
If you’re facing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately.
For a broader look at handling problems with braces, you can also read our main orthodontic emergency care guide.
Our after-hours promise
We reserve after-hours care for the people who truly need it. For everything else, we’ll see you as soon as possible at the next business day.
Next-day appointments available
We’ll get you feeling better quickly
Your comfort and safety come first
We’re always here for you
The guidance on this page reflects what our orthodontists tell patients in the chair every day. Next-day appointments are available, and our goal is to get you feeling better quickly. Your comfort and safety come first, every step of the way. Whether you’re a patient at our Bountiful office or our Farmington office, we’re here for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is a loose bracket an orthodontic emergency?
No, a loose bracket is not an emergency and can wait until the next business day. If it’s still attached to the wire, leave it in place. If it came off completely, save it and bring it to your appointment. Call us during office hours and we’ll re-bond it.
Can a poking wire wait until morning?
Yes, a poking wire can almost always wait until morning. Cover the end with orthodontic wax to stop the irritation. If the wire is long, only trim it with a clean nail clipper when you can clearly and safely see the end. Then call us during regular hours so we can adjust it properly.
What counts as a real orthodontic emergency?
A true orthodontic emergency involves severe pain that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medication, facial swelling, trauma to the face or mouth, uncontrolled bleeding, or an appliance break that keeps you from opening or closing your mouth. These warrant a call right away. Anything life-threatening should go to 911.
What should I do if my retainer breaks after hours?
If your retainer breaks after hours, keep all the pieces and wear an older retainer if you have one that still fits. There’s no need to call the after-hours line. Reach out when we’re open and we’ll get you set up through our retainer program.
What should I do if I swallow a piece of my braces?
If you swallow a small piece of your braces, like a bracket or a bit of wire, and you’re breathing normally and feel fine, it will usually pass on its own. Call us during office hours so we can note it and plan the repair. If you develop choking, trouble breathing, severe pain, or other concerning symptoms, seek emergency medical care or call 911 right away.
Should I go to the emergency room for a braces problem?
Most braces problems don’t call for an emergency room visit. A loose bracket, a poking wire, a broken retainer, or sore teeth can usually wait until your orthodontist is open. Go to the emergency room or call 911 only for serious injuries, uncontrolled bleeding, trouble breathing, or major facial trauma.
Do you offer after-hours care in Farmington too?
Yes. Both our Bountiful and Farmington offices serve patients across Davis County. If you have a true after-hours emergency, call the office treating you: Bountiful at (801) 292-1222 or Farmington at (801) 451-6664.
We’re here when you need us
Most after-hours worries turn out to be small. When you’re ready, we’d love to see you at either of our Davis County locations.
Bailey-Welling Orthodontics – Bountiful
59 W Pages Ln #100, Bountiful, UT 84010
(801) 292-1222 Request an appointmentBailey-Welling Orthodontics – Farmington
122 E State St, Farmington, UT 84025
(801) 451-6664 Request an appointment