Orthodontists help patients fix misaligned bites and crooked teeth. They can close unwanted gaps and give you the perfect smile you've always wanted. When you start orthodontic treatment, your doctor will lay out a treatment plan. If you have braces, you'll need to return to the orthodontist's office periodically to have your progress checked and your braces tightened. Most people visit their orthodontist on a monthly basis. However, there are some situations which require immediate orthodontic care. Here are three reasons you should make an emergency appointment with your orthodontist:
1. A wire broke.
Braces are made of metal or ceramic brackets held together by wire. The wire is responsible for the tightening action that allows your braces to do their job. If your wire breaks suddenly, you'll need to take precautions to ensure you don't injure yourself on any sharp edges. If you have dental wax, apply some to the loose ends of your dental wire. If dental wax is not available, chewing gum may be used instead. You'll need to see your orthodontist to have your wire replaced.
2. A bracket snapped off.
Braces brackets are glued to your teeth using dental adhesive. Under normal circumstances, this adhesive is strong enough to prevent brackets from falling out. However, eating certain foods, like apples, hard candy, and caramel, can cause a bracket to snap off. If your bracket breaks, you must have it repaired as soon as possible. Call your orthodontist to make an emergency appointment. In the meantime, carefully take the broken bracket out of your mouth if possible because you don't want to swallow it by accident.
3. You are experiencing severe pain.
It's normal to feel some soreness whenever you get your braces tightened. Braces exert pressure to shift your teeth and jaw into new configurations, which is an uncomfortable process. Most people find that ibuprofen and rest are enough to soothe their pain. However, if you experience excruciating pain following an orthodontist appointment, that is cause for alarm. Call your orthodontist immediately if your pain becomes unbearable. Your orthodontist will examine your teeth to make sure nothing is wrong. They may decide to loosen your braces and progress with your treatment more slowly in order to spare you excessive discomfort.
Orthodontic emergencies don't have to be stressful. Call your orthodontist whenever you experience an alarming situation involving your braces. They will make every effort to see you as soon as possible so they can fix your problem.
To learn more, contact an orthodontist.
Every time you take a bite of food, you should be grateful for your healthy teeth! A tooth can lose its health and structure quickly once decay sets in. Luckily, if you visit your dentist for regular appointments, the decay should not get too serious before your dentist notices it and can do something about it. That "something" is applying a filling. On the other hand, if the decay progresses too long before it is caught, you may need a crown or even an extraction.
We want to keep our teeth, and we know you want to keep yours. That's why we created this website to teach you more about dentists and dental care. Enjoy!