Many dental procedures, like crowning and teeth whitening in Singapore, hardly require any extra steps once the treatment is completed. The same cannot be said when it comes to orthodontic treatment. Some people getting braces hardly think about anything going awry with their treatment and expect things to be smooth sailing until the day they finally come off. The truth is that orthodontic emergencies can strike when they are least expected, coming in all kinds of forms ranging from broken wires and brackets to discomfort and swelling caused by the dental appliance. Fortunately, these situations seldom happen, but the fact remains that it is important to know what to do should they ever occur, to prevent further damage and complications.
What Constitutes An Orthodontic Emergency?
An orthodontic emergency is an unexpected issue that generally involves a broken appliance, pain, or both. Common examples include lost separators, broken brackets and wires, and swelling. Other problems include:
– Infections or abscesses around the gums or teeth
– Unwanted movement of the archwire or appliance itself
– Missing or broken retainers
– Sharp edges like protruding wires that irritate the sides of the mouth
When any of the above arises, it is best to immediately determine if there is any swelling, oral bleeding, and also if any broken parts of the device were swallowed. Taking stock of such information is essential to help your orthodontist come up with the best approach to rectify the issue. When you experience the following symptoms, it is recommended to visit your orthodontist as soon as possible:
– Tooth, mouth, or face injuries
– Swelling or bleeding in the gums or other areas of the mouth
– Severe pain in the gums or mouth showing no signs of improvement despite treatment
Tips on Handling Common Orthodontic Emergencies
Experiencing an emergency at inopportune times can undoubtedly be stressful, especially when you don’t have the time to go to your orthodontist just yet. However, there are some things you can do on your own to temporarily address the problem.
1. Protruding or broken wires
When you notice some of your brace wiring has shifted from its position, it is best to leave it be until your next dental visit if it is not causing any pain or discomfort. Otherwise, you can cover the wire with orthodontic wax or trim the offending wire and try to return it into its original position.Then, try to seize the soonest opportunity to visit your orthodontist for a more proper fix.
2. Loose or broken brackets
Chewing hard or sticky foods comes with the risk of causing the brackets on your teeth to become loose or broken. Besides causing irritation or pain, a dislodged bracket also means your braces treatment is temporarily halted until the problem is resolved since it is no longer holding the tooth in the proper position. If the broken bracket is causing annoyance but remains tied to the wire, leave it be until you see your dentist. If not, use orthodontic wax to cover the annoying bits and to prevent the wire from scraping the inner parts of your mouth.
3. Broken retainers
Much like braces, retainers can also break down which leads to a more uncomfortable and improper fit. When this happens to a removable retainer, stop using your retainer lest your teeth be moved into the wrong position. Keep the orthodontic appliance and any pieces that may have broken off in their case for safekeeping until you can take them to your orthodontist for fixing on your next visit.
If a fixed retainer is broken and irritating your tongue, try putting some wax over any sharp bits till the dentist can attend to it.
4. Sores or ulcers
One of the first things that braces users have to get used to is their appliance rubbing against their lips or cheeks. This issue generally goes away over time as you get used to wearing your braces and the skin thickens somewhat, but this could also turn into an emergency if it develops into painful sores or ulcers. A quick application of some orthodontic wax on the braces, and ulcer paste on the wound, can provide some relief from the pain, but if the issue continues to persist, it’s best to consult your dentist as soon as possible.
5. Teeth soreness and discomfort
Some patients may feel soreness or discomfort after their adjustment sessions; this is completely normal and typically only lasts a few days. Should the pain disrupt your daily routines, over-the-counter pain medications and avoidance of tough foods can offer some quick relief.
6. Missing rubber bands
Elastic ligatures or the tiny rubber bands used around your brackets serve a critical role by securing the archwire to the brackets. As such, if any of that goes missing, the effectiveness of your braces treatment gets compromised and you need to see your dentist as soon as possible to have them replaced.
Conclusion
Orthodontic emergencies such as broken wires and loose brackets are some problems that can disrupt one’s braces treatment and cause discomfort among patients. If you plan on getting braces or are already midway through treatment, it’s crucial to be prepared with basic knowledge on how to manage these issues temporarily to avoid further complications.
Location
10 Sinaran Drive, #11-18
Novena Medical Centre
Singapore 307506