Orthodontic emergencies might sound scary, but many situations can be handled with patience, care, and a quick call to your orthodontist. Our team at Weideman Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics knows how stressful it can be when something feels “off” with your or your child’s braces or aligners. Let’s minimize that anxiety of the unknown with these tips that walk you through how to deal with orthodontic emergencies.
What Is An Orthodontic Emergency?
An orthodontic emergency generally means anything that causes significant discomfort, affects the progress of treatment, or damages orthodontic appliances. Fortunately, the term “orthodontic emergency” sounds much more serious than most of the issues are. Despite how it may seem, an ambulance or hospital trip is not required! Many problems can be dealt with at home with temporary fixes until your repair appointment.
Types of orthodontic emergencies commonly include:
- A bracket coming out of the mouth
- A bracket removed from the teeth, but still attached to the braces
- A poking wire
- Unusual tenderness
- A loose wire, orthodontic appliance, or bands
These problems aren’t unsolicited. They’re usually caused by eating foods that aren’t braces-friendly, not wearing a mouth guard when you should have, or improper oral hygiene (for example, using a toothpick or biting on pens and pencils). In order to avoid any inconveniences or unnecessary discomfort, make sure you’re taking good care of your braces!
What To Do If…
When something goes awry with your metal braces or clear braces, you should never try to fix the issue yourself. Attempting to reglue brackets at home or remove a dislodged bracket at the movies because you don’t want to tell us you were eating popcorn can cause more harm than good, potentially worsening the situation far beyond what it was originally. If you have an orthodontic emergency, we encourage you to call us straight away. Be honest about what happened and the state of your braces so we can take the appropriate next steps. Remember, we’re here to help, not to judge.
Until your appointment, we’ll have you manage the “symptoms” of your broken braces. Here’s how:
….You Have A Broken Bracket?
If a bracket breaks off and is no longer connected to the wire, place it in a small container or envelope to bring to the next Citrus Heights orthodontist appointment.
Do not attempt to reattach it yourself. We use special glue that is safe for teeth. Household glues, like super glue or Elmer’s glue, are not meant for being in the body or on teeth and can cause serious damage to your enamel.
…Your Wire Is Poking You?
- If a wire is poking your cheek or gums, try gently pushing it back into place using the eraser end of a pencil or a clean cotton swab. If necessary, you can use orthodontic wax to hold it in place.
- If you’re unable to adjust the wire, place a small piece of orthodontic wax over the sharp area to ease the irritation.
…You Have A Loose Bracket?
Is your bracket still technically attached to the tooth surface, but wiggling like a loose tooth? Or is it completely separated from the tooth, but still on the wire? If this happens, gently slide the bracket back into its original position and secure it with orthodontic wax to minimize movement. Again, don’t attempt to do any DIY repairs!
What If Your Situation Is More Serious?
While most orthodontic issues can wait for an office visit, some situations call for quicker action. If your child has experienced an injury to the mouth, face, or teeth—such as from a fall, sports accident, or other trauma—it’s important to use your best judgment.
Signs that immediate care may be needed include:
- Severe swelling or bleeding
- Knocked-out teeth
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Injuries beyond the teeth and gums
- Swallowing of a tooth or part
In these cases, don’t wait. Call your pediatric dentist, visit the emergency room, or go to urgent care. Once your child is safe and stable, we can assist with any orthodontic repairs.
Can Invisalign Patients Have Orthodontic Emergencies?
While Invisalign clear aligners tend to cause fewer emergencies than braces, issues can still arise.
Common concerns for aligner patients include:
- Lost or broken aligners
- Cracked aligners
- Severe discomfort with a new set of trays
- Elastic buttons popping off
If an aligner cracks but still fits, keep wearing it until you can call our office for advice. If it doesn’t fit or breaks completely, stop using it and contact us. We may recommend wearing the previous set until a replacement arrives or advise you on the next steps.
Invisalign treatment should never cause extreme pain. If you or your teen experiences significant discomfort or discomfort beyond the normal adjustment period, please contact us straight away. New aligners might be needed.
How To Handle Non-Urgent Discomfort
Situations where your orthodontic emergency is causing pain, soreness, or tenderness can be frustrating and annoying. These feelings and sensations are common, even if there’s no issue with your appliances, especially after an adjustment, starting new aligners, or even after managing minor issues like poking wires or loose brackets. While this type of discomfort isn’t urgent, and in some cases, does not require an office visit, it can still affect the day.
To manage or alleviate this, try:
- Soft foods, like yogurt, smoothies, or mashed potatoes, until the discomfort eases
- Over-the-counter pain relief, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen (follow the directions on the bottle, or the instructions from your pharmacist or physician)
- Rinsing with warm saltwater to calm irritated gums or sore spots inside the mouth
- Applying orthodontic wax to brackets or wires that are rubbing against sensitive areas
If the irritation worsens before your appointment or you feel it is outside the realm of “normal,” please contact our Citrus Heights office.
Your Citrus Heights Orthodontist Is Here For You
No matter the situation, if something feels out of the ordinary, we encourage you to reach out. Even if it turns out to be a minor issue, we’d rather hear from you than have you or your child endure unnecessary aches and pains or risk delaying treatment.
Orthodontic emergencies don’t have to feel overwhelming. With a little preparation and a lot of support, you can handle the unexpected with ease.
If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to call Weideman Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in Citrus Heights, CA. We’ll help you navigate any and all orthodontic situations and keep your treatment on track.
Haven’t started treatment yet? Book a free consultation for you or your child today!