Situations of imminent danger are always terrifying. It’s fortunate that true orthodontic crises are uncommon. At Harmony Orthodontics, we work hard to ensure you’re as relaxed as possible during your orthodontic procedure. We are happy to serve communities based in Gresham and Sandy, Oregon.
On rare occasions, though, you may experience something that causes significantly more discomfort. In most cases, a quick fix at home can alleviate the pain and save you a trip to the office. However, a genuine orthodontic emergency might arise and necessitates prompt treatment. With that said, let’s have a look at some of the common orthodontic emergencies you may encounter.
Broken Brackets
This is a prevalent issue for those sporting orthodontic appliances. It’s brought on by munching on hard candies and snacks too often, but it can also be brought on by fidgeting with the braces too constantly.
Please do not remove the band or bracket from the wire; leave it in place until you can see a dentist. Use orthodontic wax to hide any loose pieces if they are causing discomfort. Keep the broken brackets in a safe place until your next dental appointment.
Tooth Loosening
It’s only natural to worry a little bit when your teeth start to feel like they’re loosening up, but patients getting orthodontic treatment should know that this is a common side effect. Your teeth need to be somewhat loosened to transition from their current, incorrect position into their new, correct role.
While over-the-counter pain medications and NSAIDs might alleviate some of the discomfort associated with dental work, it’s crucial to know when your discomfort has progressed beyond the expected range of effects from your treatment. Impact against the patient’s teeth, such as in sports or car accidents, is a common cause of orthodontic crises such as pain and loosening teeth.
Broken Wires
A typical orthodontic issue is broken archwires. A damaged archwire may irritate or create pain in the inside of the patient’s cheek. In this scenario, you can use tweezers or an eraser to reposition the wire, so it no longer rubs against your skin. In the event that the broken archwire cannot be bent out of the way, a little piece of orthodontic relief wax can be placed over the sharp end to prevent damage to surrounding tissue.
Temporary interventions such as these are all that can be done. When a wire in your braces breaks, you should schedule an appointment with your orthodontist as soon as possible.
Consult https://smileinharmony.com/ if you swallow a band, bracket, or wire. These orthodontic equipment are so small that they can safely pass through a person’s body, but it’s still a good idea to have professional guidance before doing so.
General Soreness
For three to five days after getting braces put on or after having them adjusted, you may have overall mouth discomfort and sensitivity to biting pressures. Warm salt water mouthwash is effective at alleviating this condition.
Rinse your mouth out with a solution of one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water. If the pain is severe, take a pain reliever you usually use for a headache. Please get in touch for an assessment if the discomfort persists.
It can take one to two weeks for the lips, cheeks, and tongue to harden and adjust to the braces’ surfaces; thus, discomfort is expected. To alleviate this, you might apply wax to the braces.
How Harmony Orthodontics Helps with Orthodontic Emergencies
Orthodontic crises are not common, but you should get help immediately if you have discomfort. Since we are aware that any orthodontic procedure can be stressful and uncomfortable, our top priority is to ensure that you have a pleasant and stress-free experience.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Harmony Orthodontics if you’re experiencing a medical emergency, as we do everything in our power to be available to our patients. Our goal is to solve the issue as soon and painlessly as feasible.
