Exploring Orthodontic Emergencies: From Minor Concerns to Major Solutions
Finding yourself in an orthodontic emergency can be really scary. There might be sharp pains, some blood, or even a falling tooth due to an injury or trauma to the face. Well, in these cases, you need to remain calm and ask for help as soon as possible. Fortunately, there are experts who can handle these situations, no matter the time of your accident. Remember that emergency orthodontists don’t ask for appointments due to the unexpected nature of the dental issues.
At Silver Lake Orthodontics, you will find experienced orthodontists who are fully committed to delivering high-quality care to their patients. This dedication allows them to fully understand each patient’s case and create customized treatment plans that address their dental challenges.
Orthodontists acknowledge that dental treatment goes beyond the aesthetic benefits of having an aligned smile. They usually put the oral health of the patient first, considering factors such as bite alignment, proper oral hygiene, and facial aesthetics. Dental professionals offer patients several treatment options to achieve the desired outcome. Nowadays, patients can choose from traditional metal braces to clear aligners.
What Can an Emergency Orthodontist Do?
The world of orthodontics emergencies is a dynamic one, full of specialized solutions for urgent dental concerns. An emergency orthodontist is a professional who can handle a wide range of complex situations, addressing unexpected dental problems and ensuring your smile stays perfect.
Let’s explore these situations further:
1. Inflammation or swelling
Orthodontic treatment can help you achieve the smile of your dreams. However, they can also cause irritation or swelling, affecting your soft tissues, like gums or cheeks. If this is your case, we recommend that you attend to an emergency orthodontist as soon as you can. They can provide you with solutions and remedies that will help you relieve your discomfort.
2. Braces Adjustments
Whether you have to repair a broken wire or just need a little adjustment in your braces, an emergency orthodontist can fix your orthodontics appliances, ensuring that your treatment remains intact.
3. Pain Relievers
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort from your orthodontic appliances or shifting teeth, then you can count on a friendly orthodontist. They can diagnose the cause of your pain and help you address it.
4. Injuries or Trauma
Accidents can happen at any moment, producing injuries or trauma to your beautiful smile. Fortunately, emergency orthodontists are ready to intervene and reduce the damage.
5. Managing Infections
Infections can cause severe pain and discomfort. Also, they might be related to your orthodontic appliances or lack of proper oral hygiene. Orthodontists can diagnose and treat these infections, helping you relieve the symptoms.
Orthodontists are ready to face any dental surprise you might encounter. They are experts who dedicated their lives to ensuring patient comfort and maintaining their oral health.
What Are Some Common Orthodontic Emergencies?
Orthodontic appliances can be unpredictable, and as a consequence, you might experience some discomfort due to a broken wire or a misplaced bracket. Some of these situations may require immediate attention, while other cases can wait for a little bit. Dental professionals often categorize them as minor or major emergencies based on the complexity of the problem.
Minor Orthodontic Issues:
Minor issues refer to a situation that creates pain or discomfort, but it can wait for a few days until you book an appointment with a dental professional. Sometimes, you can even reach out to your orthodontist over the phone, and they will give you advice and recommendations that can alleviate the discomfort temporarily.
Minor orthodontic concerns include:
1. Loose or Broken Bracket.
2. Loose Spacers.
3. Damaged Wires.
4. Loose Band.
Major Orthodontic Emergencies:
On the other hand, if you are experiencing an orthodontic crisis due to an injury or trauma, you shouldn’t wait to get the attention you need. We recommend you ask for orthodontic help as soon as you can.
Major orthodontic emergencies are:
1. Severe Discomfort or Pain.
2. Injury to the Mouth or Face.
3. Significant Damage to Braces or Appliances.
4. Infection or Swelling.
If you are suffering from injuries to your face or jaw, look for a 24-hour emergency orthodontist who can help you minimize the damage and treat your dental issue.
How to Deal with a Major Orthodontic Emergency
In case of an orthodontic major emergency, you need to stay calm. The next step is to reach out to your trusted orthodontist and explain to them what happened and how you are feeling. They are going to assess the situation and give you recommendations about what you can do to improve your situation before looking for an emergency orthodontist. Remember that it is important to look for immediate attention from a dental professional.
How to Avoid Orthodontic Emergencies?
Now that you know what a dental emergency looks like, you might be wondering what can you do to avoid it. Well, here are some recommendations that you can follow:
Maintaining Proper Oral Health:
If you don’t remove food residue from your teeth after you eat, these small particles can get stuck in your appliances, forming plaque between the teeth and gums. For this reason, you need to clean thoroughly your teeth after every meal. Yes, this includes brushing and flossing your teeth.
Dietary Restrictions:
When you are wearing traditional braces, you need to avoid certain foods that can damage your appliances, such as hard, sticky, or crunchy foods.
When Should You Go to the Emergency Room?
As we explained before, not all dental concerns need immediate attention. However, if you find yourself in an orthodontic crisis, don’t hesitate to look for professional guidance.
Here are some of the signs that you should go to the emergency room:
Bleeding:
Accidents or injuries can cause uncontrollable bleeding from the mouth. In these cases, you need to seek emergency orthodontics immediately. They will assess the situation and help you manage the issue, whether they are dealing with a broken jaw, facial injuries, or infections.
Severe Toothache:
If you are experiencing sharp pain in your mouth, you might be suffering from a dental infection. In order to prevent the infection from spreading and alleviate the pain, you will need to receive urgent treatment from a dental professional.
Loose Teeth After Trauma:
Sometimes, the impact of the accident or the severity of the injuries might knock out a tooth or leave it hanging by a thread. Well, we recommend that you ask for professional guidance since they are the only ones who can prevent further damage and maintain your whole smile.
Advanced Abscess:
An advanced abscess refers to a serious infection that requires prompt treatment. If you are experiencing fever, severe pain, and swelling, then you need to look for an emergency orthodontist.
It is important that you know how to identify a dental emergency, and if you find yourself in one, do not hesitate to seek professional help. Emergency orthodontics are prepared to help you with the best treatment, ensuring the necessary interventions. This is the only way you can maintain proper oral health and alleviate the pain.
How Do I Find an Emergency Dental Treatment Center?
We understand that a major orthodontic emergency is uncommon. However, we want you to be prepared, in case you find yourself in one. On the other hand, if you are facing an orthodontic concern that is not urgent, we recommend you book a dental appointment. Your orthodontist will be happy to assist you and fix all kinds of problems related to your orthodontic treatment.
It does not matter what kind of treatment you are undergoing. Whether you are wearing traditional braces or clear aligners, you might need guidance in managing unexpected problems, like having a broken appliance or experiencing discomfort from your treatment.
At Silver Lake Orthodontics Everett, you will find a team of experienced orthodontics who are dedicated to giving you the best care they can offer. Dr. Katz has a passion for giving all of her patients the smile they always wanted. So, what are you waiting for? Reach out to them and schedule your appointment!