Orthodontic Emergency Care
Orthodontic emergencies can be truly unpredictable. That’s why we call them emergencies, after all. Having helped create thousands of amazing smiles in the Piedmont Triad region, we’ve seen just about every possible orthodontic emergency there is. More importantly, we’re here to help our patients get through these treatment “speed bumps” and get back to their busy lives with minimal upset. We cover some of the most common issues here, and we invite you to call us if you need help with an orthodontic emergency of any kind.
What Causes Orthodontic Emergencies?
Orthodontic emergencies, though obviously unexpected, tend to happen in conjunction with some common situations. From routine daily activities like brushing/flossing or enjoying a meal to recreational pursuits like sports or playing certain instruments, an orthodontic emergency isn’t always preventable. Emergencies may even occur following the initial application of orthodontic appliances or after an adjustment appointment.
So, while it’s important to be mindful about your braces and to protect yourself from potential injury during contact sports with a mouthguard, some kind of unexpected event will happen to nearly all our patients at least once, and remaining calm is your best first step until you can either resolve the problem or give us a call to help. Depending on the issue, you will be relieved to know that many of these urgent matters can be easily handled from home until you can make it into our office.
Help for Some of the Common Orthodontic Emergencies
Whether you are dealing with a loosened bracket, protruding wire, or general discomfort, our team never wants you to feel uncertain about what to do next — so this guide is your go-to game plan for how to handle many of the most common issues we see among patients.
General Discomfort
It’s far from the positive, confident vibes you’re going to feel after treatment, but experiencing soreness following the application or adjustment of your orthodontic appliance is perfectly normal. You can expect tenderness in your teeth and gums over the next few days as your mouth adjusts to the new level of pressure exerted by your appliance. To alleviate any discomfort during this time, we recommend an over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
If your discomfort is caused by gum sores or ulcers formed by friction between your gums and appliance, we suggest rinsing your mouth with warm salt-water and applying wax to any protruding appliance components. We can show you how to do this in the office!
Loose Appliance
When any part of your appliance has become loose but is still attached, place orthodontic wax over any protruding, extending pieces and contact our office to schedule a repair appointment.
Loose Bracket
In the case of a loosened bracket, we recommend that you place wax over the area and contact our office for repairs. If the bracket can be easily detached, simply remove it from the mouth and bring it with you to your repair appointment.
Loose Wire
If your wire becomes loose, you may be able to secure it at home using tweezers and a small piece of dental floss:
- First, pull the wire back into place over the bracket using tweezers.
- If you are missing your elastic band used to hold the wire in place, use a piece of dental floss instead.
- Simply hold the wire firmly in position and tie the floss around the bracket to hold the wire.
- Contact our office to let us know of the situation.
If you are unable to secure the loose wire, you can use wax to minimize irritation until you can visit our office for repair. When you contact our team, we may also be able to provide further detailed instructions on managing the situation from home before you come in.
Protruding Wire
When wires become broken, they may protrude and cause pain by poking the gum tissue. In order to resolve this, push the wire down and adjust it into a position where it no longer pokes the gums. You may then place wax over the end of the wire.
Contact our office to schedule an appointment for repairs.
Looking Out for You During Your Time of Need
If you are dealing with an orthodontic emergency, our board-certified experts at Grinz Orthodontics promise to be here for you! Our professionals make every effort to keep the entire orthodontic process smooth and enjoyable. Still, emergencies happen — it’s just part of the process. What sets us apart is that we have plans in place to ensure that when emergencies do happen, you never feel caught off guard or alone.
You can trust that if you can’t handle the situation from home, we have a team of experts here to get you back to smiling in no time! If you are experiencing an orthodontic emergency, please do not hesitate to give us a call! We will be more than happy to help you.
No insurance? No problem.
We’re here to help. Our aim is to provide quality orthodontic care to everyone who needs it. We’re proud to offer tailored payment plans that can fit any budget. Schedule your free consultation and let’s start the smile conversation!
Achieve Your Best Smile with the Orthodontic Leaders in Archdale, Asheboro, & Greensboro
Grinz Orthodontics – Asheboro
Grinz Orthodontics – Greensboro
