Orthodontic Emergencies Bethel Park

Is a toothache an emergency? Right after you’ve started your orthodontic treatment (or after an adjustment or new aligner), it’s normal to feel some discomfort in your teeth and gums for about 3-5 days afterward…this just means they are working! However, in rare cases, tooth pain could indicate a dental emergency. If your pain persists for more than a week, is getting worse, or is accompanied by a bump on the gums, be sure to call us and let us know!

How you should handle toothaches: To help manage soreness, you can rinse your mouth with warm saltwater or use an over-the-counter pain reliever like Tylenol, Advil, or Aspirin. Applying a cool ice pack to the outside of the mouth or eating or drinking cold things can also help numb discomfort. If you suspect something may be caught between your teeth and braces to cause irritation, try flossing.

Is a loose bracket or wire an emergency? A braces bracket is the small attachment that connects the archwire to your teeth. Your braces are designed to stay firmly in place as you go about your day, but they can be knocked loose. Should this happen to you, call us right away. The tightness of your brackets and wires is essential for moving your teeth into their ideal positions, so we will need to treat you right away to ensure your treatment stays on track.

How you should handle a loose bracket or wire: If one of your brackets is loose but still attached to the wire, do your best to maneuver it back into place and cover it with dental wax or sugarless gum. Not only will this help hold it in place, but it will protect your soft tissues from irritation. Avoid touching a loose wire, as this could further the issue. If needed, you can use dental wax or sugarless gum to secure it, but this is only a temporary measure until we can see you.

Is a broken bracket or wire an emergency? A damaged wire or bracket often requires more urgent attention than one that has simply become loose. Broken orthodontics can cause serious irritation and sores to the soft tissues of your mouth, including the inside of your cheeks, lips, and tongue. Or, they may poke your gums or scratch your teeth! Call us as soon as you can.

How you should handle a broken bracket or wire: If there are completely broken-off pieces, collect them and bring them with you to your appointment. Rinse your mouth out with water to ensure there are no unconnected pieces of your orthodontics in your mouth that you could accidentally swallow. If there are sharp edges, cover them with orthodontic wax or sugarless gum.

Is a poking or protruding wire an emergency? When you first get braces, your soft tissues will feel a bit sore as they adapt to your new brackets and wires. However, in some cases, a wire may poke the inside of your mouth after this adjustment period. This may happen after tightening your braces or if a wire comes loose. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible during your treatment, so give us a call if your poking wire bothers you for more than a day.

How you should handle a poking or protruding wire: First, try using the eraser end of a pencil to gently push and bend the wire so it doesn’t cause any irritation. However, don’t force it! You could accidentally end up breaking your braces, so don’t use too much force. If this doesn’t help, you can also try covering it in some dental wax, which we’ll give you. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever or rinse with warm saltwater to address soft tissue irritation.

Are mouth sores or irritation an emergency? At the beginning of your treatment, braces and other orthodontic appliances can irritate your soft tissue, often leading to sore spots. This problem should subside as your mouth becomes adjusted, but in the interim, it can feel uncomfortable. Generally speaking, mouth sores and irritation do not count as an emergency unless they become infected.

How you should handle mouth sores or irritation: We recommend placing dental wax on the area of your braces that is resulting in sores. You should also rinse with warm water mixed with a teaspoon of salt somewhat regularly. This will clean away bacteria, protect against infection, and help reduce swelling and discomfort. If these suggestions do not provide any relief or the sores/irritation seems to be growing worse and worse, please let us know right away.

Is a broken ligature an emergency?  Ligature is another term for the rubber bands that secure the archwire to your braces brackets. If one of these ligatures comes off, there’s no reason for alarm. Follow the instructions below or give us a call for more instructions on how to put it back in place. However, if your ligatures keep falling off, or if many of them have come off, give us a call to schedule an appointment right away. This could be a sign of a larger underlying issue.

How you should handle a broken ligature: If the ligature is intact, you may be able to put it back onto the designated bracket with sterile tweezers. However, if it is broken, you’ll need to come in to have it replaced.

Is a cut lip, cheek, or tongue an emergency? If you suffer from an impact to the face, check to make sure that you haven’t broken any facial bones like your jaw. In that case, you need to go to the emergency room right away. Next, check for knocked-out teeth, damage to your brackets, and other injuries. These injuries are emergencies that need to be treated right away! Call us for the next available appointment so that we can make any adjustments to keep your treatment headed in the right direction.

How you should handle a cut lip, cheek, or tongue: Most soft tissue injuries can be handled at home. Rinse your mouth out with water to clean the area and use a wet washcloth or piece of gauze to apply pressure to the area. Once the bleeding has stopped, you can use an ice pack or over-the-counter pain reliever to address discomfort. If you can’t get the bleeding to stop after 10 minutes, go directly to your local ER.

Is having something stuck between the teeth an emergency? It’s common for patients undergoing orthodontic treatment to get something stuck between their teeth. Should that happen, you must remove the debris as soon as possible. Otherwise, you could experience pain and have a higher chance of developing certain oral health problems. Don’t worry – you can always give us a call if you can’t get it out on your own!

How you should handle something stuck between your teeth: Thoroughly rinse your mouth with warm water to dislodge the debris. If that doesn’t work, you can use dental floss to carefully remove the stuck item. Consider using special tools like a threader, pick, or interdental brush as they’re helpful for patients with braces. Avoid using a sharp object like a toothpick because it can accidentally hurt your soft oral tissues.

Is a broken or lost aligner or retainer an emergency? Not usually! However, you should still address a broken or lost aligner as soon as possible to prevent treatment delays and orthodontic relapse. Contact us right away to make an appointment. We’ll help get your treatment back on the right track!

How you should handle a broken or lost aligner or retainer: A broken aligner or retainer can move your teeth into the wrong positions. That’s why you should touch base with our team immediately to ask about your next best steps. We’ll resolve the issue quickly to ensure your pearly whites stay nice and straight. If you’ve lost your appliance, the best thing to do is retrace your steps and carefully look for it in the small crevices it could’ve fallen into.

Are loose teeth an emergency? Braces are meant to move your teeth gradually and carefully. It’s intentionally done this way to ensure they don’t come loose. However, you should not feel like your teeth are wiggling. If that’s the case, schedule a same-day appointment to rule out gum disease or another oral health issue.

How you should handle loose teeth: Do not touch your loose tooth or teeth with your fingers or tongue! While you wait for your appointment, avoid chewing on that side of the mouth as well to prevent further damage. The best thing you can do is keep your mouth clean and visit us as soon as possible for assistance.