What Is Considered An Orthodontic Emergency?
Orthodontic issues rarely constitute a true dental emergency, but if your braces or orthodontic appliance are causing you pain or discomfort or if something breaks or comes off when it shouldn't, you may need to contact our office to determine the best way to address it and keep treatment progressing on schedule. Some things can be easily addressed over the phone or by texting a picture. Other times, it may be necessary to be seen by the dental assistant or doctor. Call the office during normal business hours and the office staff will handle the situation as needed. If you are experiencing pain our office does have a 24hr answering service that can page the doctor. The following are some issues that may arise during your orthodontic treatment.
Tooth Knocked Out or
Out Of Position
Accidents happen. If you are in braces and you are hit in the face, it is likely that your braces will prevent you from completely knocking a tooth out. If the force is hard enough, it may actually push the tooth out of position and bend the wire. If a tooth is knocked out, you MUST BE SEEN BY A DENTAL PROFESSIONAL WITHIN 2 HOURS to have the best chance of saving the tooth. If a dental professional cannot be reached, go to the emergency room. If the tooth falls out, rinse it and put it in a cup with your own saliva or saline. If this is not possible, milk will do.
Bracket or Band Comes Loose
Brackets are the pieces that are glued on the front side of your tooth. The archwire is tied to the brackets by ligatures. Over time the wire straightens out & the teeth move. Bands are the metal rings that fit around your back molars where the archwire slips into a slot. Occasionally a bracket or band may become unglued & feel loose. If this happens, you should contact our office during business hours. If it occurs after hours, it is okay to wait until the next business day to call the ofice. We will most likely have you come in at a convenient time to have the bracket or band cemented back into place. It is okay to be without the bracket for a few days as long as you do not have any pain.
Food Stuck In Braces
Causing Pain
Sometimes a particle of food can get stuck between a band and your tooth or gums, causing discomfort. If you can't get it out by brushing, flossing, or using a toothpick, call our office. We will most likely see you the same day if you call during business hours. If the discomfort is not intense, going a few days to a week is typically fine.
Wire Is Poking Out And Causing Pain
Personally checking for any wires that feel long before you leave the office after each appointment can help to prevent this. Even so, sometimes a wire will shift for various reasons once you leave. If you are not in discomfort, you may wait until your next appointment. If you are in great pain, a temporary solution is to place a Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone Putty Earplug over any irritant. These earplugs can be found at most Walmarts. Still, remember to call the office, if this does not eliminate the irritant. For any ongoing irritation, our orthodontist will most likely see you the same day or the next day, if you call after hours.
Separator Or Spacer Comes Loose
Our orthodontist may place separators or spacers in between your teeth to make room for the bands that will be placed around some of your teeth. If a separator comes out, the best thing to do is the "floss test." This is when you take a piece of floss, fold it in half and & tie two knots in it. If that knot moves easily between the teeth, then there is enough space. If the knot gets caught, then, call our office for an appointment to have the separator replaced. Depending upon how far out your appointment is, our orthodontist may want to see you in order to put the separator back in, or they may let it go until they see you at your next appointment.
How To Avoid Orthodontic Emergencies
Of course, it is best to avoid orthodontic emergencies, if at all possible. Here
are some ways to help you do that:
- Follow eating instructions. The majority of orthodontic emergencies involve foods you are not supposed to eat while wearing braces. Our orthodontist will give you a list of foods you should avoid, and following those instructions will help you avoid damage to your braces and unnecessary pain. In general avoid HARD, STICKY & OVERLY CHEWY FOODS.
- Follow dental and braces care instructions. Our orthodontist will give you specific instructions for brushing and flossing your teeth with braces. Follow these care instructions to avoid damaging your braces or your teeth. & remember to continue seeing your regular dentist for teeth cleanings more frequently if possible while in braces but at least every 6 months.
- Wear a mouthguard when playing sports. If you have braces and play a sport with any degree of contact, it is a good idea to wear a mouthguard. This will protect your mouth from being injured by your braces if you were to get bumped by another player or a ball. It will also help to prevent damage to your braces.
