Handling Orthodontic Emergencies: What to Do When Things Go Wrong

While orthodontic emergencies are rare, it’s essential to know what to do if an issue arises with your braces or clear aligners. Whether it’s a loose bracket, broken wire, or discomfort in your mouth, knowing how to handle these situations can help you avoid unnecessary stress and keep your orthodontic treatment on track.

At Lake Travis Orthodontics, we’re here to support you throughout your orthodontic journey, whether you’re in the middle of treatment or experiencing a problem. In this blog, we’ll walk you through some common orthodontic emergencies, provide helpful tips on how to manage them, and explain when you should reach out to our office for assistance.

What Constitutes an Orthodontic Emergency?

Orthodontic emergencies typically occur when something in your braces or aligners becomes loose, broken, or irritating. While most situations can be managed with a bit of care at home, it’s essential to recognize when you need professional help. Below are some common orthodontic issues and how to handle them:

Loose or Broken Brackets

If a bracket becomes loose or breaks, it can cause discomfort or delay your treatment progress. This may occur due to impact from sports or eating crunchy foods. It’s important to act quickly to minimize any disruption to your treatment.

• What to Do: If the bracket is still attached to the wire, try to leave it in place until your next appointment. If the bracket has completely come off, save it and bring it to your next visit for reattachment.
• What Not to Do: Don’t attempt to fix the bracket yourself with glue or adhesives. Doing so can interfere with the proper treatment plan.
• When to Call: If the bracket is causing pain or is uncomfortable, or if it comes off too early, call our office for guidance on whether an appointment is necessary.

Protruding or Broken Archwire

An archwire connects the brackets on your braces and helps guide your teeth into place. If it becomes loose or broken, it can poke the inside of your mouth and cause irritation to your gums or cheeks.

• What to Do: You can try gently pushing the wire back into place with a cotton swab or pencil eraser. If that doesn’t work, place a small ball of orthodontic wax over the protruding wire to protect your mouth.
• When to Call: If the wire continues to irritate or you cannot move it back into place, call our office for an appointment. In some cases, we may be able to clip the wire or replace it during a visit.

Loose or Broken Elastics

Elastics, or rubber bands, help secure the archwire to the brackets and improve the effectiveness of your treatment. If an elastic becomes loose or breaks, you may be able to fix the problem on your own.

• What to Do: You can replace a broken or loose elastic using a pair of tweezers. Gently slide the elastic back into place, ensuring it is properly positioned over the hooks on your braces.
• When to Call: If you’re unable to replace the elastic or if you’re unsure whether you’ve done it correctly, give us a call. We’ll guide you on the best course of action.

Lost or Broken Clear Aligners

If you lose or break your clear aligners, don’t panic! This can happen from time to time, but it’s important not to switch to the next set of aligners too soon, as doing so could disrupt your treatment plan.

• What to Do: If you’ve lost an aligner or it’s broken, contact our office right away to let us know. We will give you instructions on how to proceed with your treatment.
• When to Call: If you cannot find your aligner or if it’s significantly damaged, contact us immediately. We can guide you on whether to wear a previous set of aligners until we can provide a replacement.

Lost or Broken Retainers

Retainers play a critical role in maintaining the alignment of your teeth after your braces or clear aligner treatment. If your retainer is lost or damaged, it’s important to act quickly to avoid any shifting of your teeth.

• What to Do: Contact our office to report a lost or broken retainer. We will arrange for a replacement as quickly as possible.
• When to Call: As soon as you notice your retainer is missing or damaged, contact us to prevent your teeth from shifting. We can offer solutions and order a new retainer for you.

Trauma or Injury to Teeth

Accidents can happen, and sometimes trauma to your mouth or teeth may impact your orthodontic appliances. If your teeth are injured or your braces are damaged, immediate care is essential.

• What to Do: If your teeth are damaged or knocked out, contact your general dentist immediately for care. If the injury affects your orthodontic appliance, contact us to discuss how we can assist you in continuing treatment.
• When to Call: If you experience any trauma to the teeth or mouth, reach out to our office immediately to determine how we can support you in managing the situation.

Lip or Cheek Irritation

When you first get braces or aligners, it’s common for your lips and cheeks to feel irritated by the brackets or edges of the aligners. While this is not an emergency, it’s something that can cause discomfort.

• What to Do: Use orthodontic wax to cover the parts of the braces or aligners that are causing irritation. Simply roll a small ball of wax and flatten it over the offending area.
• When to Call: If irritation persists or if the wax doesn’t help, contact our office for guidance.

Mouth Sores

If mouth sores develop from irritation caused by braces or aligners, they can be uncomfortable. Luckily, there are simple ways to relieve the discomfort.

• What to Do: Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to soothe the affected areas. You can also apply a topical anesthetic to the sores using a cotton swab for relief.
• When to Call: If sores persist or become worse, give us a call to discuss whether you need an appointment.

Swollen or Bleeding Gums

Bleeding or swollen gums are often a sign of gum irritation or poor oral hygiene. Regular brushing and flossing are essential when you have braces or aligners, as food and plaque can easily build up around brackets and wires.

• What to Do: Make sure you are brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly. Using an interdental brush can help remove food particles from around your braces.
• When to Call: If the bleeding or swelling doesn’t improve with better oral hygiene, contact our office for advice on how to manage gum inflammation.

Sore Teeth and Jaws

Feeling soreness in your teeth or jaw is common, especially after getting new braces or switching to a new set of aligners. This is simply a sign that the appliances are working to move your teeth into place.

• What to Do: Rinse with warm salt water or take over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to manage the discomfort. Eating soft foods can also help reduce irritation.
• When to Call: If pain persists for more than a few days or becomes unusually severe, contact us for further assistance.

We’re Here to Help: Contact Lake Travis Orthodontics

If you’re ever in doubt about whether you’re experiencing an orthodontic emergency, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office. Our team at Lake Travis Orthodontics is always here to help guide you through any issue that arises and provide the advice and care you need to keep your treatment on track.

Call us at (512) 402-1501 for assistance. We’re here to make your orthodontic experience as smooth, comfortable, and successful as possible!