Are you on any orthodontic procedure? In a striking contrast with that of the past an increasing number of adults are, more than taking an interest, signing up for these treatments. According to a rough estimate one out of every four orthodontic patients in the present-day United Kingdom is an adult. This trend is, although, not restricted to the UK alone and can be seen everywhere across the world. As a result the number of adults with braces is steadily rising. In this situation let us have a little discussion here about orthodontic emergencies.
Yes, do you know orthodontic emergencies do exist and those conditions can disrupt your ongoing treatment, affect your treatment plan and make a fresh dent in your oral health? What are these orthodontic emergencies all about?
Understanding an orthodontic emergency
On an average one needs wearing braces anywhere between one and three years. During this time there is the possibility that one could encounter issues related to the orthodontic treatment explains an emergency orthodontic expert in London. However it is important to mention that every orthodontic issue that you may experience at this stage cannot be termed an emergency.
As you start your orthodontic treatment, little soreness and discomfort is quite normal. It is also natural that your teeth may ache a little, as they start shifting into the correct alignment. In short a little pain and discomfort are common with orthodontic procedures but those cannot be termed as emergencies. A true orthodontic emergency turns up when you
- Develop an infection
- Sustain injury or trauma to the face, mouth or the teeth
- Experience swelling in the gum, mouth or the face
- Bleeding from the gums
- Suffer from severe pain and discomfort
If you experience any of these symptoms then there is no point in wasting time and you must see your dentist immediately. The right dental care on time can really save your day preventing the condition from turning more complicated.
It is indeed a blessing that several orthodontic issues can be resolved at home. In any case your priority must be treating the root cause of your discomfort in the first place. Here is an example to make the point clearer. Suppose, you have a loose wire or broken braces which obviously causes pain and discomfort. You may even be able to alleviate some or all the pain for the time being and secure some relief. An “out of hours” orthodontist in London says but in this case your priority must be fixing the damaged or broken appliances. If your focus gets shifted and there is a delay in fixing the appliance then you could develop and suffer from mouth sores.
If at-home pain relief techniques that you try, fail giving you any relief from orthodontic pain, it is better not to wait anymore and get in touch with a dentist immediately.
Different types of orthodontic emergencies
In this section of the post let us discuss few orthodontic conditions that require immediate care and intervention of a dentist or orthodontist.
Broken or damaged braces or wire
If you do not make the right use or abuse your orthodontic appliances, it may undergo damage and make you suffer from pain. One of the commonest ways of misusing your orthodontic appliances is having certain food items that you actually should avoid throughout your orthodontic journey.
- Certain types of nuts which are excessively hard
- Hard candy
- Celery
- Popcorn (especially the kernel of it)
- Gum (although the sugar-free ones are permitted)
- Pizza crust
- Ice cubes
- Potato chips
- Bagels or hard rolls
- Pretzels
- Crunchy vegetables and fruits
- Corn on the cob
- Taco shells
- Pretzels
Hard crackers
An emergency orthodontist in London says, it is always better avoiding these food items during any orthodontic journey because these foods can damage and break your metal wires and brackets as well as the bands. A broken wire may poke into the soft tissues of the mouth leading to an injury or simply irritation. With a broken wire issue you can make use of dental wax to cover up the damaged appliances. This can save you from chances of an abrasion.
Unbearable pain in the tooth
When you start getting your orthodontic care and treatment, it may feel as if your teeth are just loosening up. This is a natural phenomenon about the treatments. This discomfort actually confirms your teeth are moving into the right alignment. In order to come across this pain and discomfort you may have over the counter pain medications and anti inflammatory drugs. Applying a cold compress from outside the cheek or the chin also proves helpful. Apply the cold for at least about fifteen minutes to get effect. A saltwater rinse is also helpful to get rid of the pain. Prepare a saltwater solution at home by mixing about a teaspoon of table salt in a cup of lukewarm water, suggests an orthodontist who offers emergency appointments in London. Rinse the mouth with his lukewarm solution several times a day.
However if you think a tooth is feeling excessively loose in that case you must bring it to the notice of your treatment provider immediately.
Broken retainer
Your retainer is a crucial element in your aftercare routine. It ensures the results of your treatment do not wither away once the braces or aligners come out of the mouth for the final time. But orthodontic retainers are quite fragile and easily sustain damages as well as breakage. In case you retainer gets bent or breaks you must report the matter to your dentist or orthodontist immediately. A reputed emergency orthodontist near me suggests in case your retainer shifts against your teeth then chances are high it does not fit properly and in that case it is better replacing it with a new one.
At 1A Orthodontics, we understand that emergencies don’t wait for convenient times. That’s why our expert team is here to provide immediate support and effective solutions — even outside regular hours. If you’re experiencing any signs of an orthodontic emergency, don’t delay. Contact 1A Orthodontics today for the care and reassurance you need to stay on track with your treatment.
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