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What constitutes an orthodontic emergency?
There can be normal, day-to-day discomfort associated with wearing braces, and there are also orthodontic emergencies. How do you make sense of the difference between the two? We’ve put together a guide for you to use during treatment, and also outlined what you should do if an emergency arises.
So, what is normal during your orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic treatment is not usually uncomfortable, but there will be times throughout treatment that your mouth, teeth, or jaw may feel sore, tender, or somewhat painful.
One of these times will likely be when your braces are first applied. It will take your teeth and mouth some time to adjust to the braces; your teeth may feel tender, and the new braces may irritate the inside of your cheek and lips at first.
This will be uncomfortable for a short while, but it won’t be long before your mouth grows accustomed to the braces, and you’ll feel normal again in no time.
You may also feel some discomfort is after your adjustment appointments (or, if you’re using Invisalign, after you change to the next set of aligners), because your teeth will need to adjust to the new position and pressure of the orthodontic appliance. Again, this will pass fairly quickly.
These kinds of soreness are not an emergency.
1. To deal with this normal soreness, take an over-the-counter pain killer, or swish with a salt water rinse. You can also ice your face a bit to bring down any inflammation.
2. As your teeth move, your wires may start to poke the inside of your cheek. To remedy this, use a blunt object (like a spoon) to get the wire out of the way temporarily. Then make an appointment with us, and we will can clip off the excess wire, and make the necessary adjustments.
What is an orthodontic emergency?
First, it’s important to realize that most orthodontic emergencies can be handled at home. Before visiting the office, we encourage you to contact our Treatment Specialists, who can assist with emergencies from home. Additionally, if an appointment is required, our team can help you get in fast and get you out of any associated pain or discomfort.
Even though most situations can be easily solved at home, there are some instances that may require more assistance. These can include:
Even though most situations can be easily solved at home, there are some instances that may require more assistance. These can include:
What should I do if I have an orthodontic emergency?
The most important thing to do is not to panic! Braces are very safe, and at most you may experience some pain or discomfort in your mouth.
What should you do if something feels wrong?
Identify the problem. Use a mirror or have a family member look in your mouth to identify what’s wrong.
Can you fix it from home? Use the guide below to try and fix the problem from home. Most issues can be treated at home with tools you already have!
If fixing it at home doesn’t work, or any of the above emergencies apply (trauma to the mouth or face, infection, etc), then contact SmileLife Orthodontics for assistance.
If you have a medical emergency, call you medical doctor for assistance.