What are common orthodontic emergencies?

Nobody expects a dental emergency to disrupt their day, but 1 in every 6 Americans will have one each year. In addition to knocked-out teeth and toothaches, common orthodontic emergencies can develop. Like most individuals, you may not even know which circumstances require immediate attention. But there's no reason to be concerned as Abar orthodontics is here to help you.

When to call an emergency orthodontist?

Throughout your orthodontic treatment, you may encounter a range of scenarios. You can handle some problems at home, while others require quick treatment. Therefore, a sudden situation might easily overwhelm you if you are unprepared. Here are some orthodontic emergencies that tell if you need an emergency orthodontist.

Food stuck in teeth

Food getting stuck in braces is unavoidable. While it is unpleasant, it is not an emergency. So, dental floss or an interproximal brush can often remove the food. If you cannot remove the debris at home, contact your orthodontist.

Broken ligature

Ligatures are little rubber bands that keep the wire attached to the bracket. A ligature can sometimes come loose. You can reposition it with clean tweezers. But if you cannot replace the ligature, your brackets may become loose due to unequal pressure. If a ligature is damaged, tell your orthodontist immediately.

Protruding wire

The end of a wire might get dislodged over time, causing it to jab into your cheek, gum, or another part of the mouth. You can use a Q-tip or pencil eraser to push the wire back until you can visit your orthodontist.

Loose wire or bracket

Wires and brackets can cause discomfort and irritate inside of your lips and cheeks. As a result, adding dental wax to the troublesome bracket or wire can often alleviate the problem. However, if the condition does not improve, contact your orthodontist. In the meanwhile, a topical anesthetic like Ora-Gel can relieve pain.

Mouth sores

Wires and brackets can irritate the insides of the lips and cheeks. Dental wax to the faulty bracket or wire can often alleviate the problem. Meanwhile, a topical anesthetic, such as Ora-Gel, can relieve pain. However, if it does not improve, contact your orthodontist.

Conclusion

If you are unsure if an issue demands immediate attention, it is always preferable to be safe than sorry. Therefore, consult your orthodontist. They'll go through what you can do at home and whether you need to come into their office immediately.

Contact your Pinole dentist, Dr. Hoss Abar, DDS, MSD at Abar Orthodontics, to know more about common Orthodontic Emergencies.

Resource:

Five Types Of Orthodontic Emergencies.

This media/content or any other on this website does not prescribe, recommend, or prevent any treatment or procedure. Therefore, we highly recommend that you get the advice of a qualified dentist or other medical practitioners regarding your specific dental condition