The sudden discovery of a broken bracket or a loose wire can send waves of panic through anyone wearing braces. However, not every inconvenience during your orthodontic treatment spells an emergency. Our Gainesville and Lake City, FL, orthodontists are here to help put your nerves at ease when things go wrong.
Keep reading to learn how you can tell and less urgent incidents apart.
Identifying An Orthodontic Emergency
For something to be labeled a true , the injury typically needs to be severe. These are instances where the help of skilled professionals, like our orthodontists is needed immediately and waiting is not advised.
In certain scenarios, other individuals may also be necessary such as your general dentist or emergency room doctors. For example, if you’ve sustained injuries from an accident and your mouth is not the only part of you that needs treatment.
We urge you to call ASAP if you have:
- An infection that’s caused swelling in your face or mouth.
- A recent face, teeth, or mouth injury that has resulted in bleeding.
- Severe or intense pain in your mouth or face.
Above all else, do your best to remain calm. Start by giving our team a call and reporting your symptoms, how you’re feeling, and what all has happened. With that information, we can then assess the damage and take appropriate action to get you the help you need.
Dealing With Less Critical Orthodontic Problems
When you’re not in severe pain but an issue has still occurred, i.e., a broken wire, it’s likely it can wait to be addressed. Granted, this doesn’t mean the problem is happening at a great time and you don’t still want it fixed. We’re here for you and can help remedy the situation.
Our orthodontists ask that you call one of our offices and tell us what’s wrong. We’ll advise you over the phone how you can make a quick fix until we can schedule an opportunity for you to come in person. Oftentimes, common problems can wait a few days if you as the patient don’t have time to stop in to be seen right away.
More minor orthodontic incidents may include:
- Wires and brackets that are broken or loose
- Wires that are poking or sticking out
- Lost Progressive or Invisalign® aligners
- General feeling of discomfort
How to Prevent Orthodontic Mishaps
One way you can prevent an unplanned trip to one of our offices is to watch what you decide to snack on or eat for meals. When you have metal braces or ceramic braces, certain crunchy, sticky, or hard foods can damage the components.
Examples of foods to avoid when wearing braces include popcorn, nuts, corn on the cob, raw crunchy fruits or vegetables (eat cooked instead), caramel, and other sticky candy. Of course, you can eat whatever you want with clear aligners. Simply take them out when you’re ready to eat and brush your teeth before putting them back in place.
Be sure to also wear a custom-made retainer if you play a contact sport like basketball, football, soccer, or lacrosse. Having your retainer in place over your braces will protect them (and your teeth!) if you accidentally get hit in the mouth.
Need Help? Give Us a Call!
Remember, while not every orthodontic issue demands immediate emergency care, prompt communication with our , is key to preventing minor problems from escalating. Call one of our Progressive Orthodontics offices today to request an appointment.
