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Pokey Braces Wire Causing You Pain? Here’s How to Fix It in a Pinch

Hi, Janet here! I’m the clinical coordinator at Crescent Orthodontics in South Lyon, Michigan and today I’m going to show you how to take care of a long wire that’s poking out of your braces. When you have braces, as your teeth move, the end of the wire may also shift a bit and start to stick out the back, poking you in the cheek or gum, and that can feel really uncomfortable. So there’s a couple things you can do to ease your discomfort until you can get into the office to see us.

Use Dental Wax to Cushion the Wire

At the beginning of your braces treatment, we gave you a patient care package and inside there is some dental wax. You’re going to take a little piece of wax out of that kit, roll it into a little ball, and then you’re going to stick it over the sharp end of wire, squishing the wax with your fingers and molding it until it sticks onto the wire. Now, this is just a temporary fix, so it isn’t going to take care of the wire. But it is going to cover the sharp end so that you’re comfortable until you can give us a call and get into the office. And then we can take care of that long pokey wire for you.

Cut the Wire Back Yourself

Now if for some reason the wax isn’t working for you, you may need to cut the wire back yourself so that you’re comfortable. In that case, you’re going to need a couple things. You should have on hand:

  • a small wire cutter or a small pair of scissors
  • a pair of tweezers to grab the end of the wire with
  • a cotton roll or a cotton ball.

What you want to do is take the cotton ball and you’re going to stick it in your mouth right behind the wire. That will help to protect your cheek.

Next you’re going to take your wire clippers and, placing it as close as you can to the back of that bracket, get as much of the excess wire as you can and then clip it. Once you’ve clipped it, use your tweezers to grab the end of the wire and take it out of your mouth.

Hopefully you’ll never have to worry about a braces wire poking you in the cheek or gum, but it is something that can happen fairly commonly with braces so it is best to be prepared..

I hope this video has been helpful to you. Again, if your braces have a poking wire or are otherwise irritating your mouth, don’t hesitate to call us. Our phone lines are open seven days a week until 9:00pm for appointment requests and after-hour emergencies.



Crescent Orthodontics is your hometown orthodontist proudly serving the
South Lyon, MI community and surrounding areas. In addition to several braces treatment options, we also offer Invisalign and Invisalign teen as well as early orthodontic treatment. Call us today at 248-437-3377 or click to schedule your complimentary in-office or virtual consultation. We can’t wait to meet you!

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