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103 Worcester St
North Grafton, MA 01536 (508) 839-9350
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Emergency Orthodontist — Grafton, MA

How to Handle and Prevent Braces-Related Injuries

Has one of your brackets become loose? Did your retainers shatter on the floor? Don’t panic! Orthodontic emergencies like these can be anxiety-inducing, but they are nothing our orthodontist can’t handle. In fact, there are even a few steps you can take at home to restore your pain-free smile. Keep reading to learn what they are, or contact our office to speak with our team directly.

Orthodontist examining mouth of girl with braces

How We Treat Orthodontic Emergencies

Woman experiencing tooth pain at home

The Most Common Orthodontic Emergencies

When an orthodontic emergency strikes, thousands of questions run through your mind. Perhaps the loudest one is what exactly you are supposed to do next. That’s why we are covering how to handle some of the most common ones below!

Understanding the Cost of Orthodontic Emergencies

Grafton orthodontist holding model of teeth with braces

Orthodontic emergencies can encompass a wide range of cases, from a broken bracket to a soft tissue injury. As a result, the treatment (and the price) vary. That’s why scheduling an appointment is crucial! Once we have a better understanding of what is needed to restore your smile, we will provide you with an estimate of the cost and review your financial options, like dental insurance and flexible financing. Of course, if you would like to learn more in the meantime, you can read on!

Remember, Every Orthodontic Emergency is Different

Woman with braces relaxing in orthodontist's treatment chair

“Orthodontic emergency” is often used as an all-encompassing term. Since each one is different, however, it can refer to everything from a loose bracket to a broken retainer or serious toothache! As a result, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution or price for orthodontic emergencies. Instead, we will learn about your specific situation before creating a custom treatment plan designed to restore your smile and get your treatment plan back on track.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Orthodontic Emergencies?

Patient using calculator while filling out invoice on desk

That depends entirely on the fine print on your dental plan, which is why we encourage our patients to get familiar with their benefits or reach out to their provider directly to learn more. Since we welcome many popular dental insurance providers – from Aetna PPO and Guardian to Humana and MetLife – our team can help you better understand your coverage as well.

Other Options for Making Orthodontic Emergencies Affordable

Woman in cream sweater smiling with braces

Currently uninsured? Don’t worry – dental insurance isn’t the only way to make the cost of your treatment more affordable. Our team is happy to welcome financing through CareCredit too. There are several payment options available, and multiple have low monthly payments or no down payment! If you have any questions about this financial solution, talk to our North Grafton orthodontic team.

How Taking Care Of Your Braces Can Save You Money

Woman using interproximal brush to clean between their braces

Naturally, one of the best ways to avoid an orthodontic emergency is by following all of the treatment guidelines! This includes best practices, like avoiding crunchy foods, and extends to consistently brushing and flossing your teeth to prevent a serious oral health issue from arising. If you ever have any questions about how to properly take care of your braces or your teeth, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.

Keys to Preventing Orthodontic Emergencies

Woman using special brush to clean braces

When it comes to orthodontic emergencies, prevention is paramount. After all, last-minute visits to our orthodontist’s office in Grafton can be quite stressful, and you want to protect your teeth in order to stay on track with your treatment plan. Fortunately, you can reduce your chances of a loose bracket, poking wire, and the like with the following best practices:

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Orthodontist and patient with braces smiling in mirror

Your biannual visits serve two important purposes: catching dental problems before they become dental emergencies and preventing other issues, like tooth decay, from developing altogether. Plus, they allow your dentist to give you specific feedback on how to improve your brushing and flossing regimen. So, if it’s been more than six months since your last checkup and cleaning, don’t wait – schedule your appointment today.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home

Girl with braces smiling while holding toothbrush

Another key to preventing orthodontic emergencies is implementing a solid at-home oral hygiene routine. That starts with brushing for two minutes each morning and evening with a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste with fluoride. To thoroughly clean between your teeth and along your gumline, you should also rinse with mouthwash and floss daily. Bonus tip: try using an oral irrigator to make the flossing process quicker!

Stick to a Nutritious Diet

Display of vitamin-rich fruits, vegetables, and nuts

Popcorn, peanut brittle, and caramel apples are a few foods that are filled with sugar and crunchy enough to break a bracket or wire. So, do your best to opt for soft, nutrient-dense foods instead. Examples include oatmeal, smoothies, yogurt, bananas, cooked vegetables, and pasta.

Wear a Mouthguard

Closeup of mouthguard hanging from football helmet

If you participate in sports, you need a mouthguard from your orthodontist. This custom-made appliance will fit securely over your teeth and your braces, preventing both from rogue baseballs, accidental elbows, and other forceful hits to your mouth.

Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth

Man using scissors to open packages

Simply put, don’t use your teeth to open packages, bags, and bottle caps. This can break your teeth and your braces. Instead, take the time to locate the scissors or bottle cap opener. It may seem inconvenient at the time, but it will save you from a stressful emergency visit to your orthodontist’s office!

Orthodontic emergencies can be nerve-wracking, but handling one will be much less anxiety-inducing with the above information in mind. If you have additional questions on your mind or would like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to contact our office!

Orthodontic Emergency FAQs

Patient with toothache sitting in dental treatment chair

Although orthodontic emergencies are more rare, they can still happen. That’s why it’s important to be prepared and have our phone number on hand just in case one does arise. From there, we can learn more about your situation and, if necessary, schedule a same-day appointment. You’re also welcome to keep reading to see if you can find the answer you’re looking for below.

Will my toothache go away on its own?

Following an adjustment appointment, you might feel a sensation similar to a toothache. This should subside as your teeth move closer to their ideal positions. Until then, stick to soft foods, sip on cold water throughout the day, and take OTC pain medication as instructed.

Of course, if your dental discomfort doesn’t go away after a day or two, then it’s worth calling us. From there, we can schedule a time for you to come in for an exam and determine if an untreated oral health issue is the source.

How should I sleep with tooth pain?

Ignoring tooth pain isn’t typically recommended. If you know it is simply discomfort stemming from the movement of your teeth, however, then there are a few things you can do to help you sleep soundly, starting with sticking to soft foods at dinner. About 30 minutes before bed, take an OTC pain reliever and use a towel-wrapped ice pack for 10 minutes at a time to alleviate inflammation.

Should I visit the emergency room first for orthodontic emergencies?

Hospitals don’t typically have dentists or orthodontists on-staff, which is why we don’t recommend going to the ER for treatment for a broken bracket, poking wire, or the like.

Important note: there are some conditions that do require medical attention, including a broken jaw, uncontrollable breathing, and difficulty swallowing. If your orthodontic emergency has resulted in these or any other potentially life-threatening conditions, you should go to the ER right away.

Can superglue be used to repair broken braces?

No, superglue cannot be used to repair broken braces. While using a household adhesive as a short-term solution might seem like a good idea, it’s important to remember that it has toxins that aren’t safe to ingest. So, the best thing to do is call our office right away, collect any broken pieces in a clean container, and use dental wax to prevent soft tissue irritation.

Are toothpicks safe to use?

If a piece of food is firmly lodged around a bracket or between a wire, you might think to use something sharp, like a toothpick or tweezer. Don’t! This often results in even further complications, like a serious cut to your tongue, lips, or gums. We recommend first trying to rinse your mouth thoroughly with clean water and using floss to remove the debris. If that doesn’t work, let our team know what’s going on so we can schedule a time for you to come in.

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Toothaches

Is a Toothache an Emergency? Whether you opt for traditional braces or choose a more incognito alternative like Invisalign, some soreness is normal – that means your treatment is working! However, if the discomfort does not subside or you’re dealing with other unusual symptoms (like a dark spot on your tooth), then get in touch with our team right away.

How You Should Handle Toothaches: Although some soreness is expected, that doesn’t make it any less uncomfortable! Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to manage your discomfort while transforming your smile. First, rinse with a mixture of salt and warm water. This natural disinfectant will decrease puffiness and kill harmful bacteria. Next, try placing a heating pad or warm washcloth against the outside of your cheek, which will help alleviate tenderness. If the pain persists, contact our office.

Loose Bracket

Is a Loose Bracket an Emergency? Your brackets play a crucial role in moving your teeth into their new, more aesthetically pleasing positions. While a loose bracket can wait a day or two for treatment, you don’t want to potentially fall off-track with your plan. For this reason, it’s important to get in touch with our team for an appointment at your earliest convenience.

How You Should Handle a Loose Bracket If one of your brackets becomes loose, don’t move it with your fingers or tongue. Instead, do your best to leave it alone until your visit. If, on the other hand, it comes off entirely, then store it in a plastic bag and bring it with you to your next appointment. In both cases, you should call our office so our team can walk you through the next best steps.

Broken Wire

Is a Broken Wire an Emergency? A broken wire may initially seem like a superfluous orthodontic issue, but it has the potential to irritate and cut the soft tissue in your mouth. Therefore, you should get in touch with our orthodontist the moment this occurs. The sooner you do, the sooner we can schedule a time for you to come in for treatment.

How You Should Handle a Broken Wire Handling a broken wire mostly involves protecting your teeth, gums, and the soft tissue in your mouth. To accomplish this, place some orthodontic wax over the sharp edge. You should also avoid crunchy, sticky, and chewy foods that have the potential to cause further damage.

Protruding/Poking Wire

Is a poking or protruding wire an emergency? At first, a protruding wire might not seem like much of an issue. However, it has the potential to cut the soft tissue in your mouth and lead to an infection. So, don’t wait to reach out to our team and get an appointment on the calendar!

How you should handle a poking or protruding wire: Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to protect your mouth until your appointment. First, you can use a Q-tip or clean pencil eraser to guide the wire back into place. If this doesn’t work, don’t force it – leave moving it to our team. Again, the best way to prevent irritation and further damage is by covering the sharp edge with some dental wax or sugarless gum.

Mouth Sores or Irritation

Are mouth sores or irritation an emergency? While braces are more comfortable than ever before, the brackets and wires can rub up against the soft tissue in your mouth, resulting in discomfort. This is not only extremely common, but also expected and normal. So, unless the sore isn’t healing, mouth sores aren’t an orthodontic emergency.

How you should handle mouth sores or irritation: Fortunately, you can help aid the healing process with a few simple best practices, including rinsing with warm salt water, using dental wax to cover any sharp areas of your braces, and following a solid oral hygiene regimen.

Broken Ligature

Is a broken ligature an emergency? Ligatures (also known as rubber bands) are crucial; they help keep the wire in place! As a result, it’s important to bring it to our attention the moment you realize it’s broken.

How you should handle a broken ligature: If a ligature falls off, do your best not to panic. Instead, use a pair of tweezers to reattach it. If the ligature snaps entirely, then get in touch with our team so we can fix it before the others break as well. Until you arrive for your appointment, you can cover any sharp areas with dental wax to protect your lips, tongue, and gums from irritation.

Cut Lips, Cheeks, or Tongue

Is a cut lip, cheek, or tongue an emergency? Did your braces cut your lip, tongue, or the inside of your cheeks? Since soft tissue injuries tend to bleed a lot, many patients wonder if it’s an orthodontic emergency. The short answer is “no,” unless the bleeding doesn’t stop after 5-10 minutes. In this case, you should head to your nearest ER.

How you should handle a cut lip, cheek, or tongue: If you find yourself with a cut on the inside of your mouth, gently clean the area with a wet washcloth or rinse with clean water. You can also apply pressure to the area to help stop the bleeding and use a cold compress to minimize the swelling. Lastly, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever to alleviate any discomfort you’re feeling.

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Is Having Something Stuck Between the Teeth an Emergency? Unfortunately, it’s easy for debris to get caught between your brackets and wires. In addition to being uncomfortable, it can increase your risk of developing tooth decay or gum disease, so it’s important to dislodge it right away. If you have any trouble, then get in touch with our team so we can provide you with assistance.

How You Should Handle Something Stuck Between the Teeth First, rinse your mouth with a mixture of salt and warm water. This will help reduce inflammation and dislodge the debris. Next, use a piece of floss to carefully clean between your teeth. Although it may be tempting, do NOT use sharp objects, like tweezers. This can accidentally result in a soft tissue injury, which may require medical attention.

Broken/Lost Aligner or Retainer

Is a Broken/Lost Aligner or Retainer an Emergency? Although a broken or lost aligner isn’t painful, that doesn’t mean it’s not an orthodontic emergency. After all, the more time you spend without your trays, the more likely you are to fall off-track with your original treatment plan. That’s why it’s of the utmost importance that you call us at your earliest convenience. From there, we can take a look at your treatment plan and determine what to do next.

How You Should Handle a Broken or Lost Aligner/Retainer If your aligner is broken, do not wear it or attempt to repair it with a household product, like superglue. If your aligner has been misplaced, then do your best to retrace your steps. It’s helpful to look in unexpected places, like between your couch cushions or in your pockets. In both cases, you should get in touch with our team so we can help you determine the next best step. Sometimes, you can move onto your next aligner. Other times, we will need to order you a replacement tray.

Loose Teeth

Are Loose Teeth an Emergency? Although it can be alarming at first, it’s actually normal for your teeth to feel slightly loose during your orthodontic treatment. Of course, if they feel like they are on the brink of falling out, then that warrants a call to our office since it could be the result of a serious oral health issue, like gum disease.

How You Should Handle Loose Teeth Let’s start with a few “don’ts.” Don’t wiggle the tooth with your tongue or finger, don’t chew on that side of your mouth, and don’t put off calling our office. Instead, rinse your mouth with water periodically to prevent bacteria from collecting in the area and take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed to stay comfortable. Once you arrive, one of our North Grafton orthodontists will take an X-ray, conduct an oral exam, and determine how to get your oral health back on track.

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