A bracket comes off, a wire starts poking, an aligner goes missing on a school trip. Most of these are uncomfortable rather than urgent, and almost all can be settled with one phone call. This page tells you what to do right now, and how quickly your child actually needs to be seen.
True orthodontic emergencies are rare. Severe pain, facial swelling, a blow to the mouth, or a loosened or knocked-out tooth need prompt attention. Loose brackets, poking wires, and lost aligners are uncomfortable but can usually wait for a scheduled repair. Cover anything sharp with orthodontic wax and call the office for guidance.
UCLA-trained, with over five years of experience caring for children’s smiles in Chino.
Very few orthodontic problems are true emergencies. Here is how the common ones sort out. If you are unsure, call us — that is what the phone is for.
The bracket often stays threaded on the wire and simply sits loose. Uncomfortable, not dangerous.
Right now: leave it in place, cover it with orthodontic wax if it rubs, and switch to soft foods. Call us and we will fit the repair into the schedule.
A wire that has shifted can rub the cheek raw within a day or two, and an ulcer takes longer to heal than the repair takes to do.
Right now: push it flat with a cotton bud if you can and cover the end with wax. Do not cut the wire at home. Call us the same day if possible.
Teeth start drifting back within days once trays stop being worn, which can add weeks to treatment.
Right now: go back to the previous tray and keep wearing it. Do not skip ahead to the next one. Call us for guidance on a replacement.
Retainers are the only thing holding a finished result in place. Teeth move fastest in the first months after treatment.
Right now: if it is broken but still wearable without sharp edges, keep wearing it. If not, call us promptly — a replacement is far cheaper than re-treatment.
Pain that is severe rather than achy, facial swelling, a blow to the mouth, or a tooth loosened or knocked out are all different from a routine appliance problem.
Right now: call us on (909) 479-6030. For a knocked-out tooth or facial trauma, see emergency dental care. For difficulty breathing or swallowing, go to an emergency room.
Find the problem, follow the path. Every route ends with a phone call, because we would rather hear about something minor than have you wait on something that was not.
Is your child in pain, or is the bracket rubbing the cheek?
Worth knowing: Do not pull a loose bracket off the wire. If it comes away completely, keep it and bring it with you.
Can you gently flatten the wire with a cotton bud?
Worth knowing: Never cut a wire at home. Cutting risks a fragment being swallowed or inhaled, and often makes the repair harder.
Do you still have the previous tray?
Worth knowing: Keep any cracked tray. It helps confirm how far treatment had progressed.
Are there sharp edges, or is it in pieces?
Worth knowing: Teeth move fastest in the months after treatment finishes. Days without a retainer matter more than most parents expect.
Is a tooth loose, knocked out, chipped, or is there bleeding that will not stop?
Worth knowing: A mouthguard made to fit over braces prevents most of these. Ask us about one at the next visit.
Some of these we can sort quickly. Others depend on which appliance your child has and who placed it — call us and we will tell you exactly where to go next.
The most common call we get. A bracket that comes away from the tooth usually stays on the wire. It rarely hurts, but treatment stalls on that tooth until it is re-bonded.
The metal ring cemented around a back molar can work loose, often after sticky food. It needs re-cementing before decay gets underneath it.
A wire that has shifted or a distal end that has worked long. Wax buys you comfort until it can be trimmed properly with the right instrument.
Going back a tray is almost always the right immediate move. What happens next depends on where in the sequence your child was.
Worth treating with more urgency than parents expect. A finished result can shift noticeably within weeks without retention.
New braces rub for the first week or two while the cheek toughens up. Wax, warm salt water rinses, and time usually settle it. Persistent sores are worth checking.
Expanders, space maintainers, and other appliances can loosen or feel wrong. See space maintainers for how those are monitored.
A knock to the mouth with fixed braces can damage the appliance and the teeth. Both need assessing — and a properly fitted mouthguard prevents most of it.
Not sure which of these you are dealing with? Call and describe it — that takes two minutes and saves guessing. Families reach us from Chino, Chino Hills, Eastvale, and Ontario.
What a GREAT OFFICE ! The whole team is so welcoming and really makes you feel at ease ! My son was so so anxious about his visit and first time getting cavities filled and they really took their time and made him feel like he was safe and in such good hands. I really really appreciated it as a mom the extra attention to detail and attention to my son’s feelings. We will most definitely be coming back for future care and a huge thank you again to the team !
MARTA OLCZYKI brought my kids in to Say Cheese Dental today after moving from Orange County && they immediately eased my nerves. The staff was so nice and made my children very comfortable. We’re looking forward to coming back ❤️
Gy'Kia WillsAwesome service super friendly
David SanchezThis was our first visit, and we had a great experience. Everyone was very patient, friendly, and helpful. The staff made my kids feel comfortable and well cared for. We really appreciate their kindness and professionalism.
Wendy WThe girls on the office were really sweet and kind with my daughter. The patience and professionalism was very exceptional. They explained everything very well and straight forward. I’ve been to other offices and was not treated the way I was treated today. The staff was very welcoming and attentive
Adriana CervantesGreat experience at this dental office. Everyone was kind and welcoming, from the front desk to the X-ray technician and the doctor. The dentist was very thorough. He took the time to explain everything clearly, and made sure I understood the treatment and options. You can really tell they care about their patients and want you to feel comfortable. I highly recommend them.
Iris AvalosI must say this play is Wonderfully very charming and kids friendly. They have a wonderful and knowledgeable Doctor, and their staff are professional. My daughter has alot of crowding, and in between baby and mature teeth phase and needs a braces, everyone was non judgemental about her teeth and treated her and myself with kindness. And after all that they have a prize for the kids. Definitely recommended this dentist office.
Richelle TDr. Kohan was super helpful, transparent and professional. The office is very nice and super kid friendly. Staff was attentive and kind. My girls felt very comfortable with the consultation and cleaning.
Griselda AguirreExcelente Servicio Fueron súper amables y comprensivos y eso hizo que mi hijo se sintiera seguro… Lo recomiendo 10/10
Brenda OrellanaMedically reviewed by Dr. Joshua Kohan, DMD — Say Cheese Kids Dental & Orthodontics, Chino, CA. Orthodontic treatment is provided in coordination with our partner orthodontists.
Last reviewed: 5 August 2026. This page is general guidance and is not a substitute for being seen. If you are unsure, call the office.
Describe what has happened and we will tell you whether it can wait, what to do in the meantime, and when your child should be seen. Calling costs you two minutes and usually settles it.
