What to Do in an Orthodontic Emergency

If something goes wrong with your braces, it will only rarely require urgent professional medical attention, but knowing what to do in the event of a genuine orthodontic emergency will make the situation less of an ordeal.

Bear in mind that orthodontic treatment may cause some soreness when you first get your braces, and minor discomfort as your teeth begin to move into new positions. This is normal.

If you find yourself in what you believe to be an orthodontic emergency, the first step is to determine the severity of the problem: is it a real emergency or a less serious issue you can fix yourself temporarily ahead of a long-term solution from your orthodontist.

The vast majority of orthodontic problems are relatively minor although some may irritate your mouth or cause discomfort. In general, the best approach is to try to ease the source of the problem, and then call your orthodontist to schedule an appointment.

Here are three common orthodontic problems you may be able to relieve at home, prior to a scheduled visit to your orthodontic office.

When your teeth begin to move, the wire that connects them – the archwire – may start to poke into your mouth. Try gently repositioning the wire so it’s more comfortable – use tweezers, a pencil eraser or cotton swab.

Alternatively, you might be able to snip off the end of the wire with a nail clipper you’ve sterilized in alcohol. However, first call your orthodontist for advice and instructions. Covering the protruding piece of wire with dental wax can also help to soothe irritation.

These problems are often caused by eating sticky or hard foods. If the bracket or band is still attached to the wire, leave it where it is. If it’s irritating your mouth, cover it with orthodontic wax. If it’s come off, save it to take to your orthodontist later. In either case, call your orthodontic practice to let them know what’s happened, and they’ll schedule an appointment for you.

In cases of damaged wires, brackets or bands, it’s still important to call your orthodontist as soon as possible to arrange for repairs to keep your treatment plan on course.

It’s natural for teeth to become slightly loose when wearing braces – it’s a sign that your orthodontic treatment is working. Sometimes this tooth movement can be accompanied by tenderness, especially immediately after braces are fitted or adjusted.

Try taking over-the-counter pain relief. Rinsing your mouth twice a day with salt water may also help. A heating pad or warm washcloth placed on your face can also be beneficial.

If you get a real orthodontic emergency – severe bleeding and/or pain – it’s likely one of two things has happened:

In these cases, you need prompt professional medical attention.

If you’ve sustained a direct injury to your mouth, teeth or face, contact your regular dentist, who will be better equipped than your orthodontist to handle problems such as:

Icing the affected area in the meantime may ease the discomfort.

Alternatively, head for the Emergency Room. Bear in mind, though, that while ERs are highly skilled in handling general medical emergencies, they may not have the same expertise or equipment to cope with a dental crisis. Having said that, if you’ve damaged your neck or head as well as sustaining oral trauma, ER should be your first port of call.

If your braces were damaged when you were injured, your orthodontist can replace or repair them as soon as possible after your emergency dental treatment.

If a wire or bracket has otherwise been broken or shifted and is causing serious bleeding or pain – and you can’t resolve the issue yourself – this is also regarded as a genuine orthodontic emergency. Call your orthodontist immediately.