Orthodontic Emergencies — Cleburne, TX

What to Do in an Orthodontic Emergency

When it comes to any sort of emergency involving your smile, knowledge is power. Being prepared ahead of time will let you react quickly and appropriately whenever an urgent issue with your braces arises. At Hart Orthodontics, we’ll make sure yours doesn’t throw off your treatments plan thanks to fast, efficient, and professional care. If you ever have a problem with your orthodontics and need help, be sure to give us a call right away. Also, remember that you can TEXT our office phone number (817.760.2484) and send us a picture along with an explanation about your concern.

Over the phone, we’ll schedule you for a same day appointment and give you first aid instructions. Rinsing with salt water at regular intervals can help your mouth heal from any cuts or sores caused by your broken appliance. Avoid hard or sticky foods that might make the problem worse. If a bracket has come loose but is still attached to the wire, you can secure it to an adjacent bracket with dental wax (although this is obviously just a temporary solution). In some cases, the bracket might come off entirely. If this happens, be sure to save it so that it can be reattached.

When you arrive for your appointment, we’ll see you right away for pain relief and evaluation. Once we’ve reviewed our findings with you, we’ll either make a plan to fix your orthodontic emergency right here in our office or refer you to your general dentist to treat an underlying issue.

The Most Common Orthodontic Emergencies

In general, if any of the components that make up your braces (such as the wire, the brackets or the bands) become loose or broken, you should make an appointment with Hart Orthodontics right away. Waiting too long to correct these issues could greatly extend your treatment time. You should also call us for issues that are causing pain; it’s normal to feel some tenderness and pressure when you first get braces, of course, but severe discomfort that doesn’t go away is not normal and should be addressed as quickly as possible.

If you have any questions or concerns about your treatment or possible issues that could arise, feel free to call our office. Below, you’ll find important information about some of the most common orthodontic emergencies we treat.

How to Prevent Orthodontic Emergencies

In order to make your treatment as fast as possible, be sure to take care of your teeth at home, avoid the foods that can damage your braces, and see Dr. Hart as quickly as possible if something becomes loose or broken. Your compliance can literally take months off of your overall treatment time!

People undergoing orthodontic treatment can still play sports, but we recommend always hitting the field, mat, or court while wearing a protective mouthguard. Dental injuries are very common during sports, and with an orthodontic appliance in your mouth, the risk of injury to your soft tissues is even greater.  Ask us about our Premium Custom Mouthguards! Let us know if you need a mouthguard to fit around your braces and we will issue one for you! In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth for damage. If you notice any loose teeth or broken braces, please contact our office right away. You can temporarily relieve the discomfort by applying wax.