Orthodontic Emergency | WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT | 2020

Last Updated on May 28, 2020

At Childers Orthodontics, there are a few things we want to remind you of when you’re on vacation so that a day with friends and family won’t be spent dealing with an orthodontic emergency. In this post, we’ll show you how to deal with an orthodontic emergency. Let’s get cracking.

Image by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay

People also ask

1. What is an orthodontic emergency?
2. How do you deal with orthodontic emergencies?
3. Is a broken bracket an emergency?
4. What happens if you have a loose bracket?

FAQ:

Can I call the Office?

Firstly, we are here for you and your teeth, whether you are in town or out of town on vacation. Give us a call and we may be able to address the problem over the phone. Second, if we are unable to help you fix the problem over the phone, we will help you find an orthodontic practice in your vacation area that can help you.

What if I can’t Reach the Office?

When experiencing orthodontic emergencies reaching our office, we suggest going online and searching for orthodontic practices in your area. Most orthodontists will lend a helping hand to another orthodontic patient and get them out of pain or discomfort. Orthodontic emergencies are a regular thing and are handled easily at hours that may seem unusual. A small cost from the doctor may occur.

What Foods Should I Avoid?

If you have braces, whether they are metal, ceramic, or lingual, Dr. Kyle Childers and our team suggest steering clear of eating the following foods to avoid broken brackets and/or wire distortion while you are on vacation:

• Chewy, gummy or sticky foods
• Apples, pears and other whole fruits (cut fruit into thin wedges before consuming)
• Bagels and hard rolls
• Bubble gum
• Corn on the cob
• Hard candies
• Hard cookies
• Pretzels
• All varieties of nuts, including peanuts, almonds, and cashews

What Appliances can I use to Help Myself?

You might find these things helpful in orthodontic emergencies. Keep them with you or just be prepared to get them if you have a loose wire or broken bracket. These prevent irritation n the cheeks and tooth gum line. And help general dental appliance pain relief. Minor poking injury and lips care can be dealt with immediately and easily at home or even a dentist.

• Pencil eraser
• Wax
• Tweezers
• Clippers
• Spare bands

There’s a tonne more below!!!

What Emergencies are There?

Oral-Cavity Issues

One of the most pressing orthodontic emergencies is when you suffer from an oral cavity issue. The oral cavity is the very front portion of the mouth and is more prone to orthodontic emergencies than any other section of the mouth. When wearing braces, everything from car accidents to standard sports injuries can lead to the development of issues in your oral cavity.

If this ever occurs, you will need to visit your orthodontist. They can adjust the brackets back into their rightful position and can provide you with guidelines on how to facilitate the healing of the soft tissues in the area. During your treatment period, it’s recommended that you ask for a mouthguard whenever playing sports, as wearing one can help you avoid injuries in this area. The trays provided with a mouth guard cover the entirety of your teeth.

Poking Wire

Using a pencil eraser, push the poking wire down or place wax on it to alleviate the discomfort.

Loose Bracket or Band:

If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it. If the wire comes out entirely, wrap the bracket with a tissue.

Loose Wire

Using tweezers, try to place your wire back into place. If doing this and using wax does not help, as a last resort use a small fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If your discomfort continues, place wax on it.

General Soreness

When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. This can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm salt-water mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. If the tenderness is severe, take aspirin or whatever you normally take for headaches or similar pain.

What if I lose my Invisalign?

Finally, if you have clear aligners and you lose your tray, don’t worry! Simply put in either the previous tray or the next tray and contact us as soon as you get home! Follow these tips and you can have a worry-free vacation! Give us a call at (618) 438-2815 in case of an emergency.

Headgear Does Not Fit:

Sometimes headgear discomfort is caused by not wearing the headgear as instructed by your orthodontist. Please refer to the instructions provided by your orthodontist. If the face bow is bent, please call our office for assistance. Surprisingly, headgear becomes more comfortable the more it’s worn, so be sure you’re getting in the prescribed hours.

Kyle Childers

I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree at Southern Illinois University and then received my Doctorate of Medical Dentistry at the University of Kentucky. After, I attended the University of Tennessee to complete my Master of Science in Orthodontics degree.

I consider every minute of continuing education to be vital for my patients and myself. Staying current with the latest trends, techniques, and technologies within my field allows me to improve treatment efficiency and provide higher quality results for each person I treat.