Emergency Care
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency call 9-1-1 or proceed to the nearest emergency room.
Few orthodontic issues constitute a true emergency situation, however occasionally something can happen that requires prompt attention. You’ll be relieved to know that many common problems can be addressed on your own.
If your braces or an orthodontic appliance breaks or something is causing you severe pain and you are unable to remedy the issue on your own, please give our office a call.
Common Orthodontic Problems and Solutions
Loose brackets or bands
A bracket is any of the pieces that are glued to the front of your tooth and bands are the metal rings that fit around your back molars. Occasionally, a bracket or band may become loose. If it is still attached to the wire, leave it in place and cover it with wax if needed to lessen discomfort. If it has fallen out or can be removed, keep it in an envelope to bring with you to the office at your next appointment. Usually, a loose bracket won’t necessitate immediate repair and can wait until your next appointment. But if you are experiencing severe pain give us a call to address the issue.
Wire poking out
A loose or poking wire isn’t uncommon and can be understandably irritating. If a wire is poking out at the back of your braces, you can clip it yourself using nail clippers. If it’s poking on a side or in the front of your mouth, you can use a pencil eraser to gently push the wire down and/or place wax on it to keep it from poking. If you’ve tried these remedies to no avail and the wire is causing you pain, please call the office so our team can assist you.
Retainer or Invisalign tray discomfort
If your clear Essix retainer or Invisalign trays are poking or rubbing your gums, you can file the edges with a nail file or a small piece of sandpaper. This will often do the trick!
General soreness
It is very normal to feel general soreness when you first get your braces on and when the orthodontist makes adjustments. Your mouth and teeth may be tender for a few days as they adjust to the pressure of the attachments. We recommend taking pain relievers like Advil as needed, eating a diet of soft foods until your teeth no longer hurt, and/or icing your gums for up to 15 minutes.
How To Avoid ORTHODONTIC EMERGENCIES
Follow eating instructions
The majority of orthodontic emergencies involve eating foods that you’re not supposed to eat while wearing braces. We will give you a list of foods you should avoid (which you can also find here) and following those instructions will help you avoid unnecessary damage and discomfort. As a general rule, you should always avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods.
Follow care instructions
We will give you instructions for brushing and flossing during orthodontic treatment and are happy to answer any questions you have about doing so. By following these care instructions, you can avoid damaging your appliances or your teeth. And remember to continue to see your regular dentist every six months, even during orthodontic treatment, for routine dental checkups and teeth cleanings.
Wear a mouthguard when playing sports
If you play a sport with a high degree of contact, it’s a good idea to wear a mouthguard. This will protect your mouth from injury and/or your orthodontic appliances from damage if you get hit by another player or a ball.
Have an orthodontic emergency?
Contact our office.
Our team at Varone Orthodontics fully understands that emergencies do happen and we will make every effort to get you into our office as soon as possible to address your emergency and provide you with relief.
Please give us a call at (941) 842-3861 or (941) 231-5974
It is also helpful if you can include the following information when you call:
- What is the problem?
- Where is the issue?
- How and when did the problem arise?
- What is your level of discomfort?
- If you are able to take a photo of the problem and email it to [email protected], that is even more helpful!
