ORTHODONTIC EMERGENCIES

HERE WHEN YOU NEED US MOST

Any orthodontic treatment will take a little getting used to. A little bit of soreness or discomfort is completely normal when your appliances are first put on, and minor aches are common as your teeth begin moving into their new positions.

True orthodontic emergencies are rare, but they can happen. If you think you may have an emergency, the first step is to determine how severe the problem is. Many minor orthodontic emergencies have simple at-home remedies that serve as a temporary solution until you can make it into the office. Major emergencies are even more rare, but if they occur, call your regular dentist or go to the emergency room to get immediate care.

Major Emergencies

There are only a few true major dental emergencies. These may occur in the case of an accident in which your face or mouth sustains direct damage, or as the result of a severe infection within the mouth. Usually, these rare occurrences fall into one of the following:

Trauma or injury to the teeth, face or mouth
Swelling or infection in the gums, mouth or face
Debilitating, unimaginable pain in the gums, mouth, teeth or face.

As mentioned above, if you are experiencing any of these situations, the best course of action is to call your primary dentist. Because they have training necessary to treat a variety of dental problems, they will likely have the tools and treatments you need. Once the dental emergency has been treated, your orthodontist will work with you to adjust the remainder of your orthodontic treatment plan as needed.

Minor Troubles

Fortunately, most true orthodontic problems are minor compared to these major situations that affect the teeth directly. They can still be uncomfortable or irritating, however. Thankfully, most of these problems have solutions available to you at home, soothing the discomfort for as long as it takes you to schedule an appointment with us to implement a more permanent solution. Here are some of the most common orthodontic problems and their at-home relief tips:

Broken or Loose Brackets

Your braces are bonded securely with your teeth, but if you eat hard or sticky food or play with your braces as a habit, it’s possible that these elements can become loose or broken. If your bracket, wire or band is broken but still attached, leave it as-is without connecting any elastics to it. If it is irritating the inside of your mouth, use the provided orthodontic wax to smooth the area and decrease discomfort. If the piece has fully come off, feel free to discard it. Give us a call and we will replace it entirely when we conduct the repairs at your appointment.

Poking Caused by a Misplaced Archwire

As your teeth start to move, the archwire connecting them may begin poking near the back of the mouth or around the cheeks. The wire is bendable, so if you are experiencing a poking sensation, you can try adjusting it with a Q-Tip, pair of tweezers or pencil eraser to bend it away from the soft tissues of your mouth. If the wire is long or unmovable, call our office for instructions on how to snip the end off with a sterilized nail clipper. As with a broken or loose part, covering the poking wire with orthodontic wax is an easy, temporary solution to ease the irritation until you schedule an appointment to come see us.

Loosening or pain in the teeth

With any orthodontic treatment, it is perfectly normal to experience a little soreness or looseness in your teeth and gums. That’s how you know the treatment is working! For minor soreness or tenderness, you can use over-the-counter pain relievers for relief. Rinsing your mouth out twice a day with salt water may also help. Mix one teaspoon of salt with one 8-ounce glass of water and swish it around in your mouth for about 30 seconds.

Orthodontic emergencies are rare, but at Butterfoss Barton Orthodontics, we strive to make your treatment as stress-free and comfortable as possible! Keep these tips and tricks in mind, and if you need any additional advice or assistance, don’t hesitate to give us a call!