Emergency Orthodontist — Canfield, OH

Toothache

Is a toothache an emergency? It’s normal to experience discomfort for a day or two after your braces have been placed or adjusted. Be gentle with your mouth by eating only soft foods, and rinse regularly with warm salt water. However, keep a lookout for these signs that your toothache requires emergency treatment:

• The pain is severe and lasts longer than 24 hours
• The painful tooth looks darker than the rest of your teeth
• There’s a small bump on the gums near the painful tooth
• You’re experiencing signs of a serious infection, such as swelling in the mouth or fever

How you should handle toothaches: If you notice any of the above symptoms, or if you feel that your toothache is unusual, don’t hesitate to give us a call to schedule an emergency appointment. Then, rinse your mouth out gently with saltwater. To ease discomfort, you can place an ice pack or cold compress on the outside of your face for 10-minute intervals or take over-the-counter pain relievers as instructed.

Loose Bracket

Is a loose bracket an emergency? If your bracket comes loose, call our office right away so that we can get you on our schedule as soon as possible. Your braces can’t properly shift your teeth into position if your bracket is loose, so we’ll want to address it right away. What’s more, a loose bracket could potentially come away from the rest of your braces entirely, where you could accidentally bite down on it and damage your teeth.

How you should handle a loose bracket: If your bracket is still attached to the wire, you can try to gently push it back towards its proper position on your tooth. Don’t force it, or you may scratch your tooth! Put orthodontic wax or sugarless gum on it to keep it in place and protect your mouth from discomfort. If the bracket can be removed easily, do so and place it in an envelope or container to bring to your appointment.

Broken Wire

Is a broken wire an emergency?  The wire that connects your brackets is responsible for distributing the tension that moves your teeth into the right positions. If your wire breaks, this tension is disrupted. Over time, this can throw your treatment plan off track! What’s more, a broken wire can potentially injure the soft tissues of your mouth. If your wire breaks, call us right away so we can schedule you for an appointment as quickly as possible. 

How you should handle a broken bracket or wire: We do NOT recommend trying to fix a broken wire by yourself at home! One wrong move could damage the rest of your braces or even your teeth. Instead, follow our directions over the phone, which may include instructions to gently push the wire into a safer or more comfortable position. You can cover up any sharp spots with sugarless gum or orthodontic wax. If any pieces have broken off entirely, keep them in an envelope or small container and bring them with you to your appointment.

Protruding/Poking Wire

Is a Poking or Protruding Wire an Emergency? Protruding wires pose two problems: they can cut the soft tissue in your mouth, and they can cause an infection. For those two reasons, you should call our team right away.

How You Should Handle A Poking or Protruding Wire There are a few short-term measures you can take until you arrive at our office and we can fix the wire. First, use a Q-tip or clean pencil eraser to gently push the wire back into position. If it doesn’t move, don’t force it – this can cause it to snap. To avoid irritation, use a piece of sugarless gum or dental wax to cover the area.

Mouth Sores/Irritation

Are Mouth Sores or Irritation an Emergency? Mouth sores are expected with braces, especially in the beginning when the soft tissue in your mouth is adjusting to the presence of your brackets and wires. While this isn’t considered a dental emergency, you should get in touch with our team if the sore doesn’t heal or you’re experiencing other abnormal symptoms, like pain when biting down.

How You Should Handle Mouth Sores or Irritation One of the best things you can do is periodically rinse with a mixture of salt and warm water. This natural disinfectant can clean the area and aid healing simultaneously. If the irritation stems from a sharp bracket or wire, then use your dental wax (or a piece of sugarless gum) to cover the area.

Broken Ligature

Is a Broken Ligature an Emergency? Ligatures are the part of your braces that keep the wire in place. If it breaks, it can negatively affect the movement of your teeth, which is why it’s considered a braces emergency in Canfield.

How You Should Handle a Broken Ligature Of course, the first step is getting in touch with our team. Once we learn more about your situation, we can determine if a same-day appointment is necessary. We can also guide you through the next steps, like placing a piece of dental wax over any sharp areas to protect the soft tissue in your mouth.

Cut Lips, Cheeks, or Tongue

Is a Cut Lip, Cheek, or Tongue an Emergency? Although a soft tissue cut isn’t an orthodontic emergency, it may still require care. If the bleeding hasn’t stopped after 10 minutes of applying pressure, then head to your nearest ER for medical attention.

How You Should Handle a Cut Lip, Cheek, or Tongue If the cut is minor, then rinse the area with clean water before applying pressure with a wet, clean washcloth. If the area around the wound is swollen, try using a cold compress to alleviate puffiness. Of course, you can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever if it’s causing you discomfort as well.

Something Stuck Between Teeth

Is having something stuck between the teeth an emergency? During orthodontic treatment, it's common to get food stuck between your teeth or braces. To prevent pain and minimize the risk of oral health problems, you should proactively remove the trapped food rather than wait for it to dislodge naturally.

How you should handle something stuck between your teeth: Start by rinsing your mouth with warm water. Doing this will help remove stuck debris between your teeth or braces. Then, use floss to remove the item, potentially with the aid of a threader, pick, or interdental brush. Remember: avoid toothpicks or any sharp objects! If you can't remove it, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for assistance.

Broken/Lost Aligner or Retainer

Is a broken or lost aligner or retainer an emergency? While a broken or lost aligner may not be an emergency, it's essential to address the issue promptly. Delaying seeking help can disrupt your progress and prolong your treatment. You need to contact us within a few days of losing or breaking your aligner to ensure timely assistance.

How you should handle a broken or lost aligner or retainer: Avoid wearing a broken aligner to keep your teeth from shifting incorrectly. If you've misplaced your aligner, thoroughly search areas like countertops, between couch cushions, in the trash, purse, and pockets. Reach out to us, and we'll assist you over the phone to determine whether you can proceed with the next set of aligners or if you need a replacement for the missing or damaged set.

Loose Teeth

Are loose teeth an emergency? As your teeth undergo realignment, it's natural for them to feel a bit loose since they are shifting positions. However, if you notice an excessive looseness, especially accompanied by signs of gum disease, it could indicate an issue. If you're concerned about the looseness of your teeth, please don't hesitate to contact us immediately for assistance.

How you should handle loose teeth: Do not play with or put excessive pressure on loose teeth as it can exacerbate the problem. Practice good oral hygiene to combat bacteria that may weaken the surrounding tissue. If you have concerns, schedule a visit to our office where we can conduct X-rays to monitor your jawbone health. Based on the results, we'll determine if gum disease treatment or a potential bone graft is necessary.