If you or your child follows the orthodontic treatment plan, emergencies are rare. But life happens, and sometimes you wind up with a broken bracket or a swollen tooth that just won’t stop hurting. Not every injury needs to be fixed at the orthodontist, but how can you tell what needs professional attention and what can be fixed with ice cream or an ice pack and some orthodontic wax?
Orthodontic treatment is a journey, and just like any journey, a few bumps in the road are normal. That’s why having a plan matters. Here at Eastern Virginia Orthodontics, we’ve created the perfect guide for when to call your orthodontist and set up an appointment at our Norfolk, Virginia Beach, or Chesapeake locations, and when it’s an easy fix you can do yourself. We’re here to help you and your child through every orthodontic crisis!
Times When You Don’t Need to Call Us
Not every braces-related incident your child has requires an emergency appointment at the office. Sometimes you can fix the issue at home and wait until your next adjustment appointment to bring up any concerns. Here are some orthodontic emergencies that you can fix yourself:
General Soreness or Pain
Metal and clear braces are known to cause some discomfort and soreness, especially after an adjustment or when your teeth are shifting during treatment. Putting a cold compress or swishing with some warm salt water can help soothe your gums and ease the soreness. Ice cream from The Sweet Spot has also been known to help on occasion!
Irritation of the Lips or Mouth
When braces first meet the inside of your mouth, they can irritate your cheeks and lips. This is normal, and your mouth will adjust over time. In the meantime, apply orthodontic wax to any brackets causing discomfort.
Getting Food Caught In Your Teeth
Sometimes getting food stuck in your brackets or in between your wires can happen, even when you’re eating on your bracket-friendly diet. A water flosser, an interproximal brush, or some good old-fashioned dental floss and a gentle hand can easily take care of this simple orthodontic obstacle.
Now that we’ve covered some easy, at-home remedies to common problems, let’s go over some of the issues that may require a visit to Eastern Virginia Orthodontics.
Times You Do Need to Call Us
Sometimes an incident isn’t so cut and dry, or easy for you to fix at home. Here are a couple of issues that may require you to schedule an appointment with Dr. Peluso or Dr. Savage:
Broken or Loose Brackets
Most of the time, brackets and wires stay on your teeth like they should, but accidents happen. Maybe you accidentally loosen your bracket by biting into a wedge salad from Frank and Patty’s in Virginia Beach, or your child gets hit in the face during a pick-up basketball game at Deep Creep Park in Chesapeake. A broken or loose bracket can push back your treatment. If this does happen, wash the area with warm salt water. If the bracket is loose, you can stick some orthodontic wax to the tooth to keep the bracket in place. Be sure to contact us so we can get your treatment back up and running!
Lost or Damaged Aligner Tray
We know it’s frustrating to lose an aligner or retainer. But skipping even a few days can delay your progress. If this happens, call us so we can get you back on track. In the meantime, try to wear your previous tray to maintain some pressure on your teeth and prevent backtracking. Don’t try to skip ahead to the next tray without checking with us first, as it could throw off your treatment.
Trauma to the Face, Mouth, or Teeth
If trauma happens to your face, mouth, or teeth, you likely will need to see your orthodontist to make sure that your treatment is still intact. If you or your child suffers an injury in any of these areas, contact us so we can assess any possible damage and get you back on track.
Now that we’ve gone over some examples of orthodontic incidents that require our attention, let’s talk about ways to make sure that these issues don’t happen during your treatment.
Preventive Measures That Protect Your Braces
Preventing orthodontic emergencies is half the battle. Here are some ways to keep your braces secure during your orthodontic treatment:
- Follow your braces-friendly diet. Avoid crunchy, chewy, and sticky foods during your treatment so nothing is loosened or broken. This includes foods like pretzels, popcorn, nuts, caramel, bagels, etc. Focus your attention on softer foods that are easier for your teeth to handle.
- Practice good hygiene for proper oral health. Brushing at least twice a day (after every meal is even better) and flossing daily are two of the best ways you can keep your teeth feeling fresh.
- Wear a mouthguard if you play sports. If your child is in a contact sport or does a lot of physical activity that could potentially jeopardize their orthodontic treatment, get them a custom-fitted mouthguard that will protect their teeth when they’re on the field.
- Attend all your scheduled appointments. Your regular adjustment appointments with your orthodontist are vital to make sure you’re making progress in your treatment, so maybe sure to attend all your scheduled appointments.
- If you wear a retainer or Invisalign, keep up with its use and care. Make sure to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day, wash them regularly, and keep them in a special place where you won’t lose them.
- Carry an emergency braces kit. Pack a small kit with wax, floss, and a travel toothbrush to help you manage minor issues wherever you are.
Eastern Virginia Orthodontics – Protecting Your Smile
At Eastern Virginia Orthodontics, we’re here to help your child and their smile stay out of trouble. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s orthodontic treatment, give the team a call or visit us at our locations in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, or Chesapeake.
Ready to start treatment for you or your child? You can learn all about how to get started by scheduling a free consultation with us here!