How to Handle Orthodontic Emergencies

Table of Contents

1. Common Orthodontic Emergencies and Their Causes
2. Loose Brackets or Bands
3. Broken or Protruding Wires
4. Irritation or Sores on the Mouth
5. How to Handle Orthodontic Emergencies with Clear Aligners
6. Cracked or Damaged Aligners
7. Lost or Misplaced Aligners
8. Discomfort from New Aligners
9. How to Handle Sharp Edges or Rough Spots on Aligners
10. How to Prevent Orthodontic Emergencies
11. Avoid Hard and Sticky Foods
12. Store Aligners Safely
13. How to Manage Orthodontic Emergencies at Home
14. What to Do If a Bracket is Loose
15. How to Handle a Broken or Poking Wire
16. How to Relieve Mouth Sores and Irritation
17. What to Expect During an Orthodontic Emergency Appointment
18. Final Thoughts
19. FAQs

Orthodontic treatment focuses on straightening teeth and enhancing the appearance of your smile. However, like any medical procedure, it comes with potential drawbacks, including the risk of orthodontic emergencies.

Issues during teeth straightening treatment are not always serious complications, but they can still cause discomfort or pain. From loose brackets to broken wires, these problems disrupt your daily routine. However, if you learn how to handle such calamities, you can prevent pain and discomfort.

In this blog, we will explore what orthodontic emergencies are, how to manage them, and when to visit the orthodontist. By the end, you’ll be better prepared to handle such situations calmly and effectively.

Common Orthodontic Emergencies and Their Causes

Orthodontic emergencies can occur at any time during treatment. These issues may result from an improper diet, injuries, or the natural process of dental adjustments. It's important to be prepared in case something like this happens to you.

Loose Brackets or Bands

A loose bracket is one of the most common orthodontic issues. Brackets, the small metal or ceramic components attached to each tooth, are secured with strong adhesive. However, certain factors can cause them to loosen.

Causes of Loose Brackets:

• Chewing hard foods like nuts, hard candy, or raw vegetables.
• Accidental impacts to the face or mouth during sports or other activities.
• Weakening of adhesive due to improper cleaning or wear and tear over time.

When a bracket becomes loose, it may shift along the tooth or hang from the archwire. This can cause discomfort, irritation to the inner lining of the mouth, or even pain. Since brackets play a key role in aligning your teeth, addressing a loose bracket promptly is essential.

Broken or Protruding Wires

Braces work by placing wires in your teeth and applying constant pressure to reposition them. However, these wires can detach or move around to poke the inside of your cheeks, tongue, or gums.

Causes of Broken or Protruding Wires:

• Chewing on hard or sticky foods that bend the wire out of place.
• Accidental pressure from biting down too hard or using your teeth as tools.
• General wear and tear as your teeth move and put strain on the wires.

If the wire happens to be protruding or sticking out then you will find that it will start to rubbing in your mouth and may open sores or cuts on the lining of your mouth. This can result in eating and speaking becoming uncomfortable, if you can do it at all, as well as going about your daily business. The good news is that there are steps you can take to help deal with this problem at home until you can get to your orthodontist.

Irritation or Sores on the Mouth

It’s normal to feel irritation when you first get braces. The metal brackets and wires rub against the soft tissues of your cheeks, lips, and gums, leading to sores or small cuts. However, irritation can still happen later in treatment if the hardware moves or shifts.

Common Causes of Irritation:

• Contact with brackets and wires as they rub against the cheeks and gums.
• New adjustments or wire tightening during your orthodontic appointments.
• Dry mouth is caused by certain medications, which can make the inside of your mouth more sensitive.

Sores may feel uncomfortable, but they typically heal on their own. Still, if the irritation becomes too painful, there are several ways to relieve it at home. These methods can make it easier to eat, talk, and go about your daily activities. Clear aligners, like braces, come with their own set of challenges. While they are known for being removable and convenient, they aren’t immune to issues. Knowing how to handle emergencies with clear aligners can save you from unnecessary delays in your teeth-straightening journey.

Here are some common clear aligner emergencies and how to handle them:

How to Handle Orthodontic Emergencies with Clear Aligners

Cracked or Damaged Aligners

One of the most common emergencies with clear aligners is cracking or breaking. Since aligners are made from transparent, thin plastic, they can sometimes crack due to pressure or improper handling.

Possible Causes of Cracked Aligners:

• Biting down too hard while eating or wearing the aligners incorrectly.
• Using hot water to clean aligners can weaken the plastic.
• Improper storage that exposes aligners to extreme temperatures or pressure.

What To Do If Your Aligner Cracks:

• Don’t wear a fully broken aligner as it could hurt your gums or tongue.
• Call your orthodontist to get a replacement aligner.
• Wear your previous aligner if the current one is unusable to maintain progress.

Small cracks might not seem serious, but a broken aligner could prevent your teeth from shifting properly. Contacting your orthodontist is the best course of action to avoid treatment delays.

Lost or Misplaced Aligners

Since clear aligners are removable, it’s easy to misplace them. Losing an aligner is one of the most frustrating emergencies, but it’s also preventable. Aligners are nearly invisible, so if you accidentally set them down on a table or wrap them in a napkin, they can easily get lost or thrown away.

What to do if your aligner is lost:

• Check common areas where aligners are often misplaced (like your dining table, backpack, or bathroom).
• Use your previous aligner to maintain your progress if you can’t find the current one.
• Call your orthodontist to request a replacement as soon as possible.

Wearing your previous aligner helps ensure that your teeth don’t shift backward while you wait for a replacement. Your orthodontist will usually arrange for a replacement aligner quickly.

Discomfort from New Aligners

Every time you switch to a new set of aligners, you may feel tightness, pressure, or soreness. This is normal since the new aligner is working to shift your teeth into the desired position. However, this discomfort can sometimes feel intense, especially during the first few days of wearing a new aligner.

How to reduce aligner discomfort:

• Wear the aligner consistently to allow your teeth to adjust to the new pressure.
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers for temporary pain relief.
• Use cold compresses to reduce gum soreness or swelling.

The discomfort typically fades after a few days, but if the pain feels severe or lasts longer than a week, contact your orthodontist for guidance.

How to Handle Sharp Edges or Rough Spots on Aligners

Occasionally, new aligners may have sharp edges or rough areas that irritate your gums, cheeks, or tongue. This issue is more common when aligners are freshly manufactured or trimmed improperly.

How to handle sharp edges:

• Smooth the edges using a nail file or emery board. Gently file down the rough edge.
• Apply orthodontic wax to create a smooth barrier between your mouth and the sharp spot.
• Call your orthodontist if the issue persists and you can’t smooth it yourself.

Sharp edges are a minor issue, but they can be uncomfortable. Luckily, smoothing them out is simple and can be done at home.

How to Prevent Orthodontic Emergencies

While it’s impossible to avoid all emergencies, there are steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of experiencing them. Whether you have braces or clear aligners, proper care and attention can prevent common issues like loose brackets, broken wires, or lost aligners.

Avoid Hard and Sticky Foods

For those with braces, hard and sticky foods are the most common cause of broken brackets and bent wires. To prevent these issues, avoid foods like:

• Popcorn: The kernels can get lodged between teeth or break a bracket.
• Hard candy: Biting down on hard candy can dislodge brackets or wires.
• Gum and sticky candy: Sticky textures cling to braces, causing them to shift or break.

If you have clear aligners, you should remove them before eating. Aligners are not meant to endure chewing forces, and eating with them can lead to cracks or warping.

Store Aligners Safely

Since clear aligners are removable, they are easy to misplace. To avoid losing them, follow these guidelines:

• Always store aligners in a case when you remove them. Never wrap them in napkins or tissues.
• Keep your aligner case in a consistent spot (like your bag or bedside table) so you know where it is at all times.

These small habits prevent the inconvenience of losing your aligner, which could result in treatment delays.

How to Manage Orthodontic Emergencies at Home

Not all orthodontic emergencies require an immediate trip to the orthodontist. Many of these issues can be managed at home with basic tools and simple techniques. Knowing how to handle these emergencies can save you time and reduce discomfort.

What to Do If a Bracket is Loose

If a bracket becomes loose, you’ll want to prevent it from moving around too much. A bracket that shifts or dangles from the archwire can cause discomfort. Here’s what you can do:

• Use orthodontic wax: Roll a small piece of wax into a ball and press it over the loose bracket to secure it in place.
• Avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods: Stick to soft foods until you can visit your orthodontist to avoid further damage.
• Call your orthodontist: Schedule an appointment to have the bracket reattached.

Loose brackets may not seem like a big deal, but they can slow down your treatment progress if not fixed. Addressing them as soon as possible is key to staying on track with your treatment plan.

How to Handle a Broken or Poking Wire

A broken or poking wire can irritate the soft tissues of your mouth. If left untreated, it can lead to cuts, sores, or general discomfort. Here’s how to manage it at home:

• Use a pencil eraser: Gently push the wire back into place using the soft end of a clean pencil eraser.
• Apply orthodontic wax: If the wire is poking your cheek or gums, place wax over the sharp end to protect your mouth.
• Clip the wire: Use sterilized nail clippers or small scissors to trim the end of the wire if it’s causing severe discomfort.

Call your orthodontist: Schedule an appointment to have the wire repaired or replaced.

These simple steps can relieve the irritation caused by a poking wire. If the wire is severely bent, do not attempt to adjust it on your own. Contact your orthodontist for further guidance.

How to Relieve Mouth Sores and Irritation

Mouth sores are common during orthodontic treatment, especially if the braces are new or have been recently adjusted. Here are a few ways to relieve discomfort at home:

• Use orthodontic wax: Cover sharp areas on brackets and wires with wax to prevent further irritation.
• Rinse with warm salt water: Swish a warm saltwater solution in your mouth to soothe the sore areas.
• Apply a numbing gel: Over-the-counter numbing gels can temporarily reduce pain and discomfort from sores.
• Avoid spicy or acidic foods: These foods can irritate open sores, so stick to mild, soft foods.

While mouth sores may seem like a minor issue, they can be painful. If they persist for more than a week or seem to be getting worse, it’s best to consult your orthodontist.

What to Expect During an Orthodontic Emergency Appointment

When you visit your orthodontist for an emergency appointment, the process is typically quick and straightforward. The orthodontist will assess the problem, make the necessary repairs, and give you instructions on how to avoid the issue in the future.

Here’s what may happen:

• Bracket reattachment: If a bracket has come loose, the orthodontist will clean the tooth and reattach it with a stronger adhesive.
• Wire adjustment or replacement: Broken wires may be trimmed, adjusted, or replaced entirely to restore proper pressure on the teeth.
• Relief for discomfort: If your mouth is sore from irritation, the orthodontist may provide protective wax or suggest ways to reduce pain.

Most emergency appointments are quick and stress-free. Addressing the problem early prevents further damage and ensures your teeth continue to move according to plan.

Final Thoughts

Orthodontic emergencies are bound to happen during your treatment journey, but they don’t have to be stressful. With the right approach, you can manage most issues at home, like loose brackets, broken wires, or cracked aligners. Clear aligners come with their own set of unique emergencies, such as cracks or lost trays, but simple precautions can prevent these issues. Storing aligners properly and avoiding hot water while cleaning can help you avoid most problems.

FAQs