Here to Help
If you think you may have an emergency, the first step is to determine the severity of the problem: Is it an urgent situation that requires immediate attention from Dr. Williams and the Williams Orthodontics team, or a minor problem that can be taken care of by you, until you can come into our El Dorado or Monroe office?
Major Emergencies
At first, having orthodontic treatment may take a little getting used to. It isn't uncommon to experience a bit of soreness when appliances are first put on, or some minor aches as teeth begin moving into new positions. Yet, it's comforting to know that genuine orthodontic emergencies are rare.
There are only a few urgent orthodontic (or dental) emergencies. They include:
- Trauma or injury to the teeth, face, or mouth
- Infection or swelling of the gums, mouth, or face
- Severe, unmanageable discomfort or pain in these areas
In any of these situations, you should seek help as soon as possible — go to an emergency room, if that's your best option. Generally, the place to start is with Dr. Williams or your regular dentist.
Remember that Dr. Williams is trained to handle a range of dental problems, and can offer the necessary diagnostic tools, anesthetics, and treatments you need.
For example, if you have a fractured tooth, your dentist will treat the immediate problem and arrange for the tooth's restoration. Afterward, Dr. Williams can adjust your orthodontic treatment plan as needed.
Likewise, severe pain or swelling could be a sign of infection or disease, which a dentist or periodontist is best able to treat.
Minor Emergencies
Fortunately, the vast majority of orthodontic problems are minor compared to the above situations, however, they may still cause discomfort or irritation. In general, it's best to try and soothe the immediate cause of the discomfort, and then call our office to schedule an appointment.
This allows us to allot sufficient time to take care of you. Here are a few of the more common orthodontic problems, along with some tips on what you can do to relieve them at home.
Loose or Broken Brackets, Bands, or Wires
This problem is often caused by eating hard or sticky candy or food or playing with the braces. If the band or bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it as is — but don't connect any elastics to it!
You can cover it with orthodontic wax if it's irritating the inside of your mouth. If it has come off, save it. In either case, call our office to let us know what happened, and we will schedule a visit. Be sure to bring any loose parts with you to the appointment!
Loose Teeth
Misplaced or Poking Archwire, Bracket or Tie
As the teeth start to move, the wire that connects them (archwire) may begin poking near the back of the mouth or irritating the cheeks. You can try moving the wire into a better position with a pencil eraser or a Q-Tip.
If the wire won't move, you may be able to cut the end off with a nail clipper sterilized in alcohol — but before doing so, please call our office for our guidance or instructions. Often, you can also use tweezers to gently move a misplaced wire or a tie that's causing problems.
When wires or brackets cause irritation, covering the metal parts with wax will often help ease the discomfort. As with any of these types of problems, call our office and we'll schedule a time to see you.
General Tooth Pain
For minor soreness, you can use your regular over-the-counter pain reliever.
A twice-a-day salt-water rinse may also help: Mix one teaspoon of salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water and rinse for 30 seconds. A warm washcloth or heating pad placed on the outside of the jaw can also offer some relief.
While actual emergencies are rare, our goal at Williams Orthodontics is to make orthodontic treatment as comfortable as possible. If you need additional advice, don't hesitate to call us!