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Imagine: you’re out there living your best life when suddenly, “POP!” your braces bracket snaps off. Who do you call for emergency orthodontics in LA? The good news is that there are very few true orthodontic emergencies, and many of the problems you could run into can be addressed at home or can wait until your next orthodontic appointment.
The even better news is that if you have a true orthodontic emergency in LA, you also have one of the world’s leading orthodontists nearby. Beverly Hills Orthodontics, owned and operated by lead orthodontist Dr. Monica Madan, is prepared and ready to handle any emergency orthodontics in LA.
What is an Orthodontic Emergency?
While there are few true emergencies during orthodontic treatment, several things can feel concerning or can go wrong and need to be addressed relatively quickly. The table below covers some of the most common emergencies and what you should do.
| Actual Dental Emergencies | |||||
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| The above are actual dental emergencies, and you should immediately seek care at an emergency room or urgent care center with a dentist on staff. The dentist on staff can provide you with the care needed to address your emergency. Once you are no longer in crisis, call your orthodontist to let them know what has happened, and they can schedule an appointment to get you back on track with your orthodontic care. | |||||
| Common Orthodontic Problems and Options | |||||
| Problem | What Happens | What To Do | |||
| Broken or Loose Brackets | One of the most common problems with traditional braces is when brackets come loose from your tooth. | If the bracket is loose but not causing pain, you can leave it alone or place a piece of wax over it to prevent movement. If the bracket has come off completely, put it in a bag and bring it to your next appointment. Call your orthodontist—they may say you are fine until the next appointment or they may set up an appointment sooner to re-bond the bracket to your tooth. | |||
| Poking Wires | Another common problem with braces is having a wire tie come loose or an archwire shift and poke your cheeks or gums. | If the wire has come free from the bracket, use dental floss or your fingers to thread it back into place. If a wire tie is poking-free, gently push it back into place using a clean pencil eraser or tweezers. If your archwire pokes you in the back of your mouth, a professional will likely need to trim it. | |||
| Loose Rubber Bands | Occasionally, one of the bands (also called ligatures or o-rings) around your brackets will come free. | Loose rubber bands can sometimes be repositioned around the bracket using dental floss. If not, call your orthodontist and see if you can wait until your next visit or if you need to schedule an appointment sooner for a new ligature to be placed. | |||
| Sore Teeth | It is common for teeth to be sore for the first 24-72 hours after orthodontic treatment or adjustments. | Eat soft foods or soups. You can also take over-the-counter pain medication like you would for a headache—but don’t exceed the maximum daily dosage. | |||
| Mouth Sores | Sores are commonly caused by brackets or wires rubbing your cheeks or gums. | Put wax over the bracket or wire that is rubbing. Your soft tissues will soon adapt to your appliance, and the sores will heal. *Sores that do not heal need to be evaluated by a dental professional. | |||
| Lost Aligners | If you use Invisalign, you don’t have to worry about loose brackets or poking wires, but you might lose one of your aligners along the way. | Aligners and retainers are often lost when placed on a napkin during a meal and thrown away after eating. To avoid this, always put your aligners in their specified case when you take them out of your mouth. If you have lost a set of aligners, call your orthodontist to see if you should get replacements made or move on to your next set. | |||
If you experience an orthodontic problem, contact your orthodontist’s office as soon as possible for guidance. Your orthodontist will guide you on how to address the problem or schedule an appointment to correct the issue.
Ignoring your orthodontic concerns or trying to fix them on your own without the proper guidance can damage your teeth or appliances and delay your orthodontic treatment plan.
How to Avoid Emergency Orthodontics
Ideally, you’ll make it all the way through treatment without ever having an orthodontic emergency. Here are some easy ways to protect your teeth and orthodontics during treatment.
- Follow eating instructions – Avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods.
- Follow care instructions – Clean around teeth, braces, and appliances using the instructions and tools your orthodontist gave you.
- Wear a mouthguard – Many injuries can occur during sports or activities. A mouthguard protects both your teeth and your orthodontic appliances from trauma.
- Avoid fidgeting – Playing with or poking your braces or aligners can lead to damage.
- Don’t chew on hard objects – Some people chew on pens or their fingernails when stressed or concentrating, but these behaviors can damage your appliances, so they need to be avoided.
Even if you do your absolute best to follow these instructions, accidents still happen. If you have an orthodontic problem or emergency like the ones in the table above, seek out an orthodontist for help.
Beverly Hills Orthodontics: Calm in the Face of Chaos
The best person to see for an orthodontic emergency is your own orthodontist. They will be the most familiar with your treatment plan and dental history. If you are traveling and have an orthodontic emergency, call your orthodontist to see if you can wait until you are home or need help now.
If you need help sooner rather than later and are in the Los Angeles area, contact any of our offices in Beverly Hills/Century City, Toluca Lake, Alhambra, or Downtown LA.
Call or text us at 310-785-0770 today if you have emergency orthodontics questions.
NOTE: All blog content is intended to supplement—NOT REPLACE—the expertise of a healthcare professional and should not be construed in any way as medical advice. Consult a professional orthodontist directly, like the ones at BHO, to assess your individual needs and advise the best course of treatment.
