ORTHODONTIC EMERGENCIES
Valeriano Orthodontics is here for you
The good news is that orthodontic emergencies are rare. If a part of your braces becomes loose or breaks, most likely, it can be taken care of with a follow-up visit to your orthodontist. If you think you might be experiencing an orthodontic emergency, feel free to give our office a call at (704) 364-6544. If you are uncertain about whether your situation requires emergency care, call us, and we will help you determine what you should do. If you cannot reach someone right away and there is any doubt about the urgency of your symptoms, please seek immediate care at the ER, urgent care or an emergency dentist.
COMMON ORTHODONTIC PROBLEMS
Throughout your orthodontic treatment, it is not uncommon to have a loose bracket, poking wires, or bands pop off. These can be irritating, but the good news is they are all fixable.
Emergency Orthodontic Care You Can Do At Home
The following orthodontic emergencies and treatments are listed from the least severe to the most severe. The majority of these are easily treated with a follow-up to Valeriano Orthodontics.
If a rubber ligature comes off, you may be able to put it back in place using sterile tweezers. If a wire ligature comes loose, remove it with sterile tweezers. If the wire ligature is sticking out into the lip but is not loose, you may be able to bend it back with a Q-tip or pencil eraser to eliminate the irritation. If a rubber or wire ligature is lost, call our office.
The discomfort is both normal and temporary. It’s normal to have discomfort for a day or two after braces or retainers are adjusted. Eat soft foods and rinse the mouth with warm salt water until the discomfort goes away. If the discomfort continues or gets worse, call our office.
Braces don’t cause mouth sores, but they can irritate them. Immediate relief may be achieved by applying a small amount of topical anesthetic using a cotton swab. You may also find relief by rinsing with warm saltwater.
Braces can irritate the mouth, especially when eating. A small amount of orthodontic wax makes an excellent buffer between metal and the mouth. Simply pinch off a small piece and roll it into a ball the size of a small pea. Flatten the ball and place it completely over the area of the braces causing irritation. The wax is harmless, so if you swallow it, that’s okay.
Occasionally, the end of a wire will work itself out of place and irritate. Use a Q-tip or pencil eraser to push the wire so that it is flat against the tooth. If the wire cannot be moved into a comfortable position, cover it with relief wax. If the wire is extremely bothersome and you can’t see the orthodontist anytime soon, you may clip the wire using a pair of sharp clippers. Contact our office for an appointment.
If the braces have come loose in any way, call Valeriano orthodontics to determine the appropriate next steps.
COMMON DENTAL EMERGENCIES
When should you seek help?
If you sustain a blow to the mouth due to a sports injury or accident, the damage could require immediate care.
Head straight to the ER or urgent care if you have:
- If you were unconscious for any period of time.
- Heavy bleeding from the mouth or tongue, as you may need stitches or other treatment.
- Bleeding from the head or having any symptoms of a concussion. Left untreated, a concussion can be a serious medical condition.
See an emergency dentist if you have:
- Chipped a tooth
- Cracked a tooth
- Lost a tooth
- Sustained a gum injury
These problems can be potentially serious and cannot be ignored, and should be addressed immediately by a dentist. If you’ve lost a tooth or part of a tooth, bring it to the emergency dentist, but try to handle it as little as possible. In some cases, the dentist can often re-implant the tooth if he sees you within an hour of the accident.
ORTHODONTIC EMERGENCY EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS
POKING EXPANDER
LOOSE BAND
POKING WIRE
OPEN BRACKET
LOOSE BRACKET
UTILIZING WAX
ORTHODONTIC EMERGENCY EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS
POKING EXPANDER
LOOSE BAND
POKING WIRE
OPEN BRACKET
LOOSE BRACKET
UTILIZING WAX
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