Orthodontic emergencies involve broken orthodontic appliances or braces that are causing pain or discomfort in your mouth. If a bracket is loose or completely detached, it is important to get help quickly, so your teeth don’t shift incorrectly and extend the length of treatment. Similarly, if your clear aligners somehow become misshapen, contact us immediately so we can craft a replacement and keep your smile on track!
Habitual brushing and flossing can keep your orthodontic appliances from wearing or breaking.
It can feel natural to panic when an unexpected orthodontic emergency occurs, but try to stay as calm and collected as possible. Nearly every orthodontic issue has a solution and can be treated by an orthodontist. We are always here to help you!
Over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can temporarily alleviate swelling and pain after an orthodontic emergency. Applying an ice pack to the cheek near the affected area can also help relieve discomfort. Warm salt water rinses will also relieve pain and help the sore area heal quicker
To alleviate discomfort and avoid further damage to your orthodontic appliances, use sterile tweezers to slide loose brackets or wires back into place. You should also use a dental wax to keep wires from poking your mouth and make any rough patches feel more comfortable
As soon as you have regained control of the situation, call our office to receive prompt emergency care. We can help determine the severity of your dental injury, and get you in our office as soon as possible.
We offer same-day care to ensure that you get the treatment you deserve when you need it most. A same-day orthodontic emergency appointment ensures that your issue will be examined immediately and resolved within the same day you scheduled your appointment. If you decide to put off or delay your treatment, you could be putting yourself at risk for more serious complications. For example, a broken bracket that could be easily fixed might prolong the alignment journey if left untreated.
You don’t need to wait in pain. The sooner you see an orthodontist for your emergency, the sooner you’ll be on your way back to getting the straight smile you’ve always desired.
Orthodontic emergencies don’t just happen from 9 to 5. That’s why we extend ourselves and our care to best serve our patients. By offering after-hours appointments to patients who are experiencing serious orthodontic emergencies, patients can receive care when they need it most. If an orthodontic emergency occurs beyond business hours, give us a call to schedule an after-hours appointment and get the help you need from our team.
If an orthodontic emergency happens to you on the weekend, you don’t have to wait until Monday to get the orthodontic care you deserve. We offer limited weekend hours and appointments by request, which ensures that you can get emergency orthodontic care ASAP and get relief from your pain and discomfort. Call now for more information.
Mouthguards can protect your orthodontic appliances from damage.
When it comes to your health, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Give us a call and one of our team members will help decide if a visit to the office is necessary. If not, they’ll be sure to provide you with recommendations on effective home treatments.
If your brackets are loosening and aggravating your mouth, place a small amount of wax on the part causing discomfort. If a bracket has fully detached from your braces, simply put it in a plastic bag or envelope and bring it with you to your next appointment.
If your loose wire is poking your mouth, use a pair of tweezers or needle-nosed pliers to try and put it back into place. You can also use a string of floss to secure the wire back into its proper form by tying it around the bracket. If neither of these options ease your wire into a more comfortable position, use a small fingernail clipper to trim the wire and add wax to keep it from poking.
Ligatures are tiny rubber bands or fine wires that hold the wire to the bracket. If your ligatures pop off, use a sterile set of tweezers to ease it back into place. It’s possible for other ligatures to pop off when one breaks. Be sure to examine all of your ligatures, and if you’re unsure of what to do, don’t hesitate to call our office.
Braces can irritate the mouth, but luckily, there is a solution. Gently stick a small amount of wax to buffer the area between metal and mouth. This can work wonders for patients that are new to braces, and can especially help patients eat more comfortably. If you accidentally swallow the wax, don’t panic. The wax is harmless and won’t cause discomfort or digestion problems.
It’s completely normal to feel slight discomfort for a couple of days as your teeth, gums, cheeks, and mouth get used to your new braces. After this short period, the pain should ease as your teeth and jaw begin to adapt to the pressure.
Chewy, sticky, and crunchy foods can cause wear and tear on your braces.
