Orthodontic Emergencies

At first, having orthodontic treatment may take a little time to get used to. Initially, orthodontic treatment will be an adjustment. It is common to have some discomfort when appliances are first fitted or mild aches as teeth shift to new positions. However, it is reassuring to understand that actual orthodontic emergencies are rare.

If you feel that you have an emergency, the first step is to determine the severity of the situation: Is this an urgent situation where you need to act immediately, or a minor problem that you can temporarily take care of yourself until you can come into our office?

A Major Emergency

There are some orthodontic (or dental) emergencies. They are:

• Trauma or injury to the mouth, face, or teeth
• Infection or inflammation of the gums, mouth, or face
• Severe, uncontrolled pain or discomfort in these areas

In either of these situations, you need to get attention right away — go to an emergency room, if that is accessible to you. In most cases, the first thing to do is visit your routine dentist. Remember that he or she is trained to fix all sorts of dental problems, and is best qualified to give you the diagnostic tools, anesthetics, and treatments you need. If, for example, you have a broken tooth, your dentist will address the current problem and arrange the fixing of the tooth; later, your orthodontic treatment plan can be adjusted as needed. In the same way, severe pain or inflammation could be a sign of infection or illness, which a dentist or periodontist should treat.

Some Minor Troubles

Luckily, most orthodontic problems are minor compared to these conditions, but they may still be annoying or painful. In general, it’s always best to try to soothe the cause of the discomfort at the moment and then call us at our office to schedule an appointment; that way, we can ensure sufficient time to treat you. Below are some of the more common orthodontic problems, with some guidance on how you can treat them at home:

Loose or broken brackets, bands, or wires
This can typically be caused by sucking on hard or sticky food or candy, or by playing with the braces. If the bracket or band is still on the wire, leave it alone — but don’t hook any elastics to it! You can wax it with orthodontic wax if it’s irritating the inside of your mouth. If it did fall off, salvage it. Either way, call us at the office to inform us about the issue, and we’ll schedule an appointment. Remember to take any loose parts with you to the appointment!

Misplaced or poking archwire, bracket, or tie
When the teeth start to move, the wire connecting them (archwire) may begin to poke the back of the mouth or irritate the cheeks. You can try to reposition the wire with a pencil eraser or Q-Tip. If it does not move, you may be able to cut the tip off with a clean nail clipper, but first, please call our office for guidance or instruction. Occasionally, you may even be able to shift a misplaced wire or a pesky tie with tweezers.

Waxing the metalwork will typically reduce the pain when wires or brackets rub. If you have any of these problems, call us, and we’ll schedule a time to come in.

General tooth pain or loosening
It’s natural that teeth would get a little wiggly during orthodontic treatment — that’s proof they’re shifting! Sometimes this movement might even be coupled with soreness, particularly following the installation or adjustment of braces. For mild discomfort, you can take your everyday over-the-counter pain medication. A salt-water rinse two times a day might also assist: Combine one teaspoon of salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water, and swish for 30 seconds. A warm washcloth or heating pad placed on the outside of the jaw will also be of some comfort.

While emergencies are not frequent, we will attempt to be as comfortable as possible with orthodontic treatment. If you need additional instructions, feel free to call us!