Orthodontic Emergencies in Greenville, SC

Orthodontic emergencies can be serious, so it is important to address them immediately. We’ve included some information on how to handle common orthodontic emergencies, but if you are ever concerned, contact our office immediately!

DID YOU KNOW?

The American Association of Orthodontics reports that over four million people in the world currently have braces!

Common Braces Emergencies

It is important to know how to troubleshoot common orthodontic emergencies that your child may experience. In addition to the steps below, we recommend keeping a kit with orthodontic wax, over-the-counter pain relievers, and Orajel on hand to treat minor pain and discomfort.

• Food caught between teeth: Have your child brush and floss their teeth thoroughly to remove stuck food.
• Color tie comes off: If a ligature comes off of the braces, it is important to schedule an appointment and bring your child into our office.
• Mouth sores or irritation: If your child has mouth sores from the braces rubbing, rinse their mouth with warm salt water and then apply orthodontic wax over the braces causing the irritation. Orajel or an over-the-counter pain reliever can also be used.
• Loose brackets, wires, or bands: If components of the braces are loose or fall out, don’t try to replace them yourself, schedule an appointment with our office to have them corrected.
• Poking wire: In the event of a wire from the braces poking your child, you can schedule an appointment with our office to have this fixed. Orthodontic wax can be used temporarily to prevent the wire from poking.
• Swelling or bleeding, with pain: Take a pain reliever. Apply heat/ice to the face, over the sore area. If these do not help, contact our office for an appointment.
• Trauma or injury to the mouth: If an injury occurs to braces or teeth, come in for an emergency appointment. If the mouth or face is bleeding excessively, the patient may need stitches and should go to an emergency room.
• Lost/broken retainer: Let us know so that we can repair or replace the retainer for you. After orthodontic treatment, it’s important that kiddos wear their retainer as per the orthodontist’s instructions to keep teeth in alignment.

How To Avoid Problems with Braces

In addition to common orthodontic emergencies, it is important for your child to adjust their daily life to avoid causing problems with their braces. Altering your child’s diet can help you avoid damaging their braces. The most important rule is to not eat sticky or hard foods (including gum). These foods can damage your braces and make your treatment take longer.

Some examples of foods to avoid include:

• Hard candy
• Popcorn
• Jerky
• Ice
• Nuts
• Pizza crust
• Bagels
• Corn on the cob

It is also important to have your child drink plenty of water. Water helps to keep teeth and gums healthy, and can flush away food particles that may get stuck in your braces.

We’re Here to Help with Orthodontic Emergencies

If your child is experiencing broken or poking orthodontics or bleeding and pain, it is important to contact our orthodontic team at Pleasantburg Family Dentistry immediately. We can help identify the problem to determine if your child should have a sooner appointment with our office.