If you’ve just started orthodontic treatment, or if you’re thinking about taking the plunge, it’ll be useful to know what to look out for during the treatment process.
All types of orthodontic treatment may cause a bit of discomfort from time to time. Though this is certainly something you can discuss with your specialist orthodontist, this sort of thing wouldn’t usually be considered an emergency. In fact, an emergency situation with a brace is very rare.
If you’d like to be prepared for all eventualities, here are three things we’d consider good reason to get in touch with your orthodontist about ASAP.
General dental emergencies
General dental emergencies such as severe pain, swelling or an injury to the teeth or jaws should be looked at by a dental professional right away. This is true whether or not you have a brace. We’d recommend getting in touch with your orthodontist or usual dentist right away. If you can’t get in touch with them, or if it’s out of office hours, you’ll need to attend your closest dental walk in centre or A&E.
Damaged braces
There are lots of ways braces can get damaged. You may have sustained an injury to the mouth, or you may have eaten something hard or sticky. Either way, if brackets or wires have broken or come loose, you’ll want to speak to your orthodontist right away.
An uncomfortable wire or bracket
Sometimes wires or brackets can shift out of place and irritate your gums or the inside of your mouth. In these cases, we’d recommend speaking to your orthodontist for advice. It may be that the offending appliance can be gently shifted back into place with a sterile pair of tweezers, or it may be that you’ll need to make an appointment.
