What to Do in a Braces Emergency

by | Sep 1, 2022 | Emergency Dental Care

Knowing what to do in a braces emergency can make a big difference to minimize your discomfort and get your braces back on track as soon as possible. Here’s how to spot a braces emergency and what to do.

What is a Braces Emergency?

Various things can be a braces emergency, so it’s important to learn to identify what the different types of them look like. That way, you can recognize the emergency right away to get help and relief quickly.

Some emergencies are obvious when they happen. For example, if your lip or cheek gets cut on your braces so that you are bleeding, or if a tooth gets jarred, chipped, or broken.

But some braces emergencies aren’t as obvious. Sometimes a bracket pops off a tooth or a wire comes loose or gets broken. This is considered a braces emergency because it’s important to get it fixed as soon as possible to prevent delays to your treatment plan or further complications from developing, such as irritation or injury to the inside of your cheeks or lips that could result in infection.

Managing a Braces Emergency at Home

What to do in a braces emergency depends on what type it is. If a bracket or wire is loose, call your orthodontist right away to get it taken care of as soon as possible. If there is any sign of a medical or dental emergency, such as trauma, excessive bleeding, or a broken, chipped, or knocked-out tooth, it’s best to go to the emergency room and call your orthodontist.

Keep Your Emergency Numbers Handy!

Make sure to always have any emergency numbers, such as your orthodontist, dentist, primary care doctor, and an emergency contact added to your phone contacts for easy access in case of an emergency. It’s also important to give your emergency numbers to your school, workplace, roommates, or caregiver so that they can call on your behalf if you’re unable to talk easily due to a braces emergency.

You never know when an emergency is going to occur, so it’s important to always be prepared by knowing what to do in a braces emergency and being ready to do it at a moment’s notice!

Call our Pearl Dental Office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.

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