Having orthodontic treatment may take a little bit of time to get used to. It is common to
experience soreness when appliances are first put on and some minor aches as teeth begin moving
into new positions. Yet, it is comforting to know that true orthodontic emergencies
are rare.
If you think you may have an emergency the first step is to determine the severity of the
problem. Is it an urgent situation that requires immediate attention, or a minor problem that
you can take care of yourself until you can come to our office.
A Major Emergency includes:
- Trauma or injury to the teeth or mouth
- Infection or swelling of the gums
- Severe pain of the teeth or gums
If any of these occur, the best place to start is usually with your dentist as they can most
likely offer the proper diagnostic tools, anesthetics, and treatments you need. However feel
free to call our office as well, if we can be of assistance.
Fortunately, the vast majority of orthodontic problems are very minor. However, they still may
cause some discomfort or irritation. Some of these Minor Emergencies include:
Loose or broken brackets - this often occurs from eating hard candy or food or playing
with the braces. If the bracket is still attached to the archwire, leave it as is. You can cover
it with wax if it is irritating the inside of your mouth. If the bracket has come off
completely, save it and bring it with you to your next appointment.
Poking archwire - as the teeth start to move, the wire connecting them can also move and
poke near the back of the mouth. You can try to take the end of a pencil eraser and move the
wire or use a nail clipper or wire cutter to clip the end. You can also place wax at the end of
the poking wire.
General tooth soreness and looseness - it is normal for teeth to be slightly loose during
orthodontic treatment, as it shows they are moving. For soreness, you can use over the counter
pain reliever and eat softer foods.
Our goal is to make orthodontic treatment as comfortable as possible. If
you need additional advice, do not hesitate to call us.