What Is Considered an Orthodontic Emergency in NJ?
Most of the time, orthodontic treatments go smoothly. Still, you could encounter an orthodontic emergency at some point during your treatment.
Find out what constitutes an emergency, so you’ll know when to visit a Princeton orthodontist. Also, find out how to handle non-emergency situations at home.
Damaged Ligatures That You Can’t Fix Are Emergencies
Ligatures are used to attach your wires and brackets. Normally, you can use tweezers to put a ligature back in place. However, if you’re not able to do that, you have an emergency on your hands. Your brackets won’t apply an even amount of pressure with a missing ligature, which can cause them to loosen over time. Thus, your Princeton orthodontist needs to step in and fix it.
Loose Brackets and Wires Are Always Emergencies
Your brackets or wires could come loose or even fall off at some point during treatment. Unfortunately, this can cause two problems. First, your braces won’t work if your brackets and wires are loose or missing. That means you could end up having to wear braces longer if you don’t get the problem fixed.
Second, and even more concerning, you could get injured. For instance, a wire might poke you in the cheek, causing a wound. This can be quite painful. Since it’s so dangerous, it’s important to treat this as an orthodontic emergency. Thus, contact your provider immediately if this happens.
Bleeding Gums Require Immediate Attention
If your gums are bleeding, don’t wait until your next appointment to discuss it with your orthodontist. Instead, you should call immediately to get an appointment. Your provider will likely have you come in right away to determine the cause of the bleeding.
If you are losing lots of blood, you should call 911 or go to the emergency room instead. Then, the hospital can get in contact with your orthodontist. You don’t want to put yourself in a dangerous situation, so don’t hesitate to seek emergency treatment.
Seek Emergency Orthodontic Care If You Experience Trauma
Getting hit in the mouth is never fun. However, it’s more complicated if you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. The trauma can damage your mouth and oral appliances, such as braces. Also, your braces could make the injury worse. Thus, you shouldn’t wait to get help. Call your Princeton orthodontist to discuss your symptoms. Then, you can come in for an evaluation.
Call 911 or Your Orthodontist If You Swallow an Appliance
While rare, an appliance might come off during your treatment. Then, you could swallow it. This is always an emergency.
If you cannot breathe, call 911 or rush to the emergency room. Otherwise, contact your orthodontist for instructions on how to proceed. After handling the choking hazard, your provider will need to check and repair your braces.
Contact Your Provider for Emergency Care If You’re in Pain
You can expect some discomfort during orthodontic treatment. This is especially true if you just started treatment or recently had your braces tightened. You can rinse with salt water and take over-the-counter pain relievers to manage your symptoms. Then, they should dissipate and eventually go away.
However, you should not ignore intense pain. The pain could be due to a number of factors, including an infection. You’ll need to call your orthodontist to discuss your symptoms. Then, you can go into the office for an evaluation. Your orthodontist will diagnose the cause of the pain and then treat it.
Significant Swelling Is a Sign of an Orthodontic Emergency
You might experience some swelling when you start treatment. For instance, swelling can occur after you get your braces tightened. However, any swelling should be mild. If you have significant swelling, you might have an infection. Fast treatment is needed to eliminate the infection and avoid complications.
Contact your orthodontist to find out if you should go to the office or call your primary care provider. After reviewing your symptoms, your provider will go over the next steps so you can recover from the infection.
Is a Protruding Wire an Orthodontic Emergency?
You might find yourself dealing with a protruding wire or two during treatment. The wire can stick in your gums and cheeks, causing discomfort.
Fortunately, you can normally fix this yourself. First, grab a Q-tip and use it to push the wire back into place. Then, you can contact your orthodontist for an appointment. While not an emergency, you’ll still want to follow up to secure the wire in place.
Are Mouth Sores an Emergency, or Can You Handle It at Home?
Your wires and brackets might rub against your cheeks and lips, causing sores. While uncomfortable, you can normally fix this at home. Put some dental wax on the bracket and wire for immediate relief.
However, if your discomfort and sores persist, you could be dealing with an orthodontic emergency. Contact your orthodontist to find out what steps you should take.
Food Caught in Your Teeth Isn’t an Orthodontic Emergency
You might panic a bit if you have food caught in your teeth when wearing braces. Fortunately, you can likely get it out with dental floss.
However, if the food won’t budge, consult with your orthodontist. He or she might have you come in to remove the food before it causes decay.
Lost Invisalign Trays Require Fast Action
If you’ve lost your Invisalign trays, you don’t need to take action in the middle of the night. However, contact your provider during normal business hours. You need to get new trays quickly, so you don’t delay your treatment.
Get Immediate Assistance for Your Orthodontic Emergency
Contact Dr. Jonathan Nicozisis of Princeton Orthodontics if you have an emergency. As a leading provider of both Invisalign and braces, he handles all types of emergencies. He can quickly assess and treat your emergency, so you can begin recovering. Call Princeton Orthodontics at (609) 924-7098 to speak to the staff. Then, they can get you in quickly so you can put this emergency behind you.
