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Emergency Orthodontist — Worcester, MA

Keeping Your Orthodontic Treatment Right on Schedule

Having braces or any type of orthodontic appliance requires a large commitment from you; not only must you ensure that your oral health is in pristine condition during your treatment, but it’s also important to avoid orthodontic emergencies as best as you can. But if you find yourself eying that freshly popped bag of popcorn, you might notice yourself thinking that “just a couple of handfuls won’t hurt.” That said, all it takes is one wrong bite for one of your brackets to loosen or for a wire to snap! But here at Simply Orthodontics Worcester, our team has plenty of experience in dealing with these situations and we’re more than happy to assist you with yours. Continue reading below to learn more about how we can offer quick and compassionate care that’s certain to keep your orthodontic treatment right on schedule.

Closeup of girl experiencing toothache with braces

Why Choose Simply Orthodontics Worcester for Emergency Orthodontic Care?

What to Do in an Orthodontic Emergency

a patient suffering from an orthodontic emergency

The world can seemingly come to a screeching halt when you experience any type of emergency, but when it involves your braces, you might feel inclined to panic; after all, you don’t want your treatment to be jeopardized! However, keeping a cool head and taking the correct steps will ensure that your smile isn’t in any immediate danger. Here are some easy-to-follow steps for you to consider:

  1. Call Our Office – Although each orthodontic emergency is unique, there is one all-encompassing resource that is only one phone call away: our team! We’ll usually be able to assess the situation over the phone and provide you with some initial steps to take, including rinsing your mouth with water and applying orthodontic wax.
  2. Schedule An Appointment – If your situation calls for it, we’ll schedule you for a same-day visit, although sometimes the situation can wait until your next checkup. But if you do need to come in, you can rest assured that we’ll quickly implement the best course of action.
  3. Get The Help You Need – Once you’re seated in our office, our top priority becomes addressing your situation and getting to the bottom of what’s ailing you. This also means that your discomfort will be quickly resolved! In some cases, a follow-up appointment may be necessary; we’re happy to help you set this up!

The Most Common Orthodontic Emergencies

Even if your situation doesn’t seem urgent, it’s still best to contact us whenever you experience a complication with your orthodontic treatment. It’s worth noting that most orthodontic emergencies can be handled over the phone with the help of our dental team. However, you should never leave anything up to chance! Here’s more about some of the most common orthodontic emergencies that we see and how they’re typically handled:

Understanding the Cost of Orthodontic Emergencies

Whether you’re interested in braces for yourself or your little one, it’s natural to have questions about the treatment process. Luckily, our team is here to make every step of the way as smooth as possible for patients in and around Worcester! While you’re always welcome to get in touch with our team directly, you can also keep reading to learn the answers to a few frequently asked questions about traditional orthodontics.

Why Every Orthodontic Emergency is Different

While one patient may be visiting us for something relatively minor, like something stuck between their teeth, the next might be coming in for a same-day visit because one of their brackets is loose. In other words, since no two orthodontic emergencies are alike, we can’t provide you with an accurate cost estimate until you’ve reached our office for an evaluation. Once you’re here, we can take a look at your mouth and determine the best course of action and the associated costs. Our practice is pleased to offer several financial solutions, including dental insurance and flexible financing, to help make the cost fit into nearly every budget.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Orthodontic Emergencies?

Our team at Simply Orthodontics Worcester is proud to work with a wide variety of providers, including MetLife, Guardian, Humana, and Principal. We have extensive experience helping our patients understand their benefits as well as their out-of-pocket expenses, even in emergency situations. If you have any available coverage, you can trust that we will help you utilize it.

Important note: We also welcome Medicaid!

Other Options for Making Orthodontic Emergencies Affordable

But what if you currently don’t have dental insurance? In that case, consider flexible financing with LendingPoint! This third-party financier offers affordable payment plans so you don’t have to pay for any necessary care in one lump sum. Instead, you can space out your payments over the course of several months – sometimes with little-to-no interest attached too.

How Following Your Treatment Guidelines Can Save You Money

At first, it may seem like the guidelines we give you aren’t necessary. After all, what’s the worst that can happen if you eat a whole apple, raw nuts, or popcorn every now and again throughout your treatment? This is actually one of the easiest ways to damage your brackets and wires, which is why we strongly recommend avoiding crunchy, hard, and sticky foods like these. Simply put, the guidelines are in place to keep you on track with your treatment plan and protect your wallet!

Keys to Preventing Orthodontic Emergencies

a patient flossing her braces

Fortunately, orthodontic emergencies are relatively rare. With that said, they can happen, which is why it’s always a good idea to implement best practices that reduce your risk of experiencing one! With this in mind, make sure to:

Abide by the Dietary Restrictions

Woman with braces smiling and looking at tablet while eating

At the beginning of your treatment, you’ll be given a list of foods you should avoid, such as popcorn, caramel apples, and hard candies. Otherwise, you run the risk of breaking a bracket or wire. On a similar note, we recommend limiting your consumption of sugary foods and beverages; these items inevitably increase your risk of tooth decay. Across the board, it’s best to fill your plate with mostly smile-friendly, softer foods, such as oatmeal and cooked vegetables.

Prioritize Your Follow-Up Visits

Girl with braces smiling at orthodontist during check-in visit

To prevent orthodontic emergencies – like poking wires – you should attend your follow-up visits. That way, our team can monitor the integrity of your braces and overall oral health. Plus, we can make sure your teeth are moving as anticipated and that we have the opportunity to answer any questions you have about the teeth-straightening process.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home

Woman using interproximal brush to clean braces

As we mentioned above, unhealthy habits will inevitably increase your risk of tooth decay. Since even a small cavity can temporarily put your treatment plan on hold as well as result in a painful toothache, we strongly recommend committing to a solid oral hygiene regimen at home. Naturally, that starts with brushing your teeth, your braces, and along your gumline twice a day. In addition, you should floss daily and rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash regularly.

Wear a Mouthguard

Mouthguard hanging from football helmet

Of course, wearing a mouthguard is always important. However, during your orthodontic treatment, you have both your teeth and your braces to protect. So, make sure to wear one during games and practices. In fact, professional organizations like the American Dental Association now recommend wearing a mouthguard during non-contact sports (such as surfing or skateboarding) in case of a bad fall.

Note: if you don’t have a mouthguard, ask our team about having one made!

Quit Unhealthy Oral Habits

Young girl with braces smiling in treatment chair

One of the easiest ways to wind up in an emergency situation is by using your teeth to open things like a bottle cap or package. Remember, your brackets and wires (as well as your teeth) aren’t meant to withstand that level of pressure. For the same reasons, we recommend quitting poor oral habits, like chewing on ice, biting your nails, or using your teeth as tools.

Toothache  

Is a Toothache an Emergency? As your braces guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions, it’s perfectly normal to experience some soreness. This is usually minor and occurs in the hours or days following an adjustment appointment. With all of that said, you should give our emergency orthodontist in Worcester a call if your toothache has continued for more than 24 hours. At that point, we need to make sure it isn’t the result of an untreated oral health concern, like a cavity.

How You Should Handle Toothaches First, combine salt and warm water and rinse with the mixture for 30 seconds at a time. Next, place a cold compress against the outside of your cheek in 10-minute intervals. Both of these measures will help alleviate puffiness and, in turn, reduce your discomfort. You can also take an OTC pain reliever if the pain is more intense. However, these are all short-term options that shouldn’t be treated as long-term solutions. As mentioned in the previous section, you should absolutely schedule an appointment with us if your toothache persists for more than 24 hours.

Loose Bracket  

Is a Loose Bracket an Emergency? We do want to repair your braces ASAP, so don’t wait to give our Worcester team a call. Remember, if one of your brackets or wires is out of place, it can negatively impact your treatment plan. Plus, a loose bracket can irritate the soft tissue in your mouth and increase your chances of sustaining a soft tissue injury in the process. Simply put, the best thing to do is get in touch with us so we can schedule an appointment right away.

How You Should Handle a Loose Bracket Naturally, step one is calling our team. From home, however, we recommend using some dental wax to cover the loose bracket. This will help protect your gums, tongue, and lips from a cut. If possible, you should also avoid chewing on that side of your mouth since this can loosen the bracket further.

Broken Wire  

Is a Broken Wire an Emergency? Yes, a broken wire is considered an orthodontic emergency! Not only does this have the potential to derail your treatment, but it can also quickly result in a serious dental emergency if the wire results in a soft tissue injury.

How You Should Handle a Broken Wire If the wire is just slightly out of place, you can use a sterile eraser to guide it back into position. However, don’t apply excessive force; this can cause it to snap. Even if you are able to get it back into place, we recommend covering the edge with some dental wax to protect the soft tissue in your mouth in the meantime.

Protruding/Poking Wire  

Is a Poking or Protruding Wire an Emergency? There are two main reasons the answer is “yes.” The first is that a wire that isn’t in the right position can negatively impact your treatment. The second is that a protruding wire can easily cut the soft tissue in your mouth, which may require a trip to the ER if it’s severe enough.

How You Should Handle A Poking or Protruding Wire You can try gently pushing the wire back into position. However, even this is just a short-term solution. That’s why we recommend calling our Worcester orthodontic team ASAP to schedule an appointment and placing some dental wax over the sharp edge of the wire in the meantime.

Mouth Sores/Irritation  

Are Mouth Sores or Irritation an Emergency? Although inconvenient and often uncomfortable, mouth sores and irritation to the soft tissue in your mouth typically aren’t orthodontic emergencies. With that said, there is one exception; if the sore doesn’t seem to be healing, then you should contact our Worcester orthodontist right away.

How You Should Handle Mouth Sores or Irritation To prevent mouth sores, you should stick to a well-balanced diet and use dental wax to cover any sharp edges of your braces. To handle an existing mouth sore, we recommend periodically rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater (this will help keep the area clean), and avoiding sugary, acidic, and spicy foods.

Broken Ligature  

Is a Broken Ligature an Emergency? A broken ligature (a.k.a. a broken rubber band) does have the potential to impede the movement of your teeth. So, even if you aren’t in any pain, we recommend getting in touch with us to get an appointment on the calendar.

How You Should Handle a Broken Ligature The best thing to do is visit our Worcester orthodontist right away. In the meantime, stick to soft foods, cover any sharp edges of your braces with dental wax, and avoid any unhealthy habits that can cause further damage, like chewing on ice cubes.

Cut Lips, Cheeks, or Tongue  

Is a Cut Lip, Cheek, or Tongue an Emergency? Cuts to your lip, cheek, and tongue can usually be handled at home with some clean water and a damp washcloth. However, if the bleeding persists (even after 10 minutes of applying pressure), then you need to go to the ER for medical attention.

How You Should Handle a Cut Lip, Cheek, or Tongue In most cases, you can handle soft tissue injuries from home and in a few simple steps. First, go to the sink and use some clean, cool water to gently rinse your mouth. Second, grab a damp washcloth and use it to apply pressure to the area. Third, use a cold compress to alleviate the swelling once the bleeding stops.

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Is Having Something Stuck Between the Teeth an Emergency? Throughout your orthodontic treatment, you may find that food particles are getting stuck between your teeth more often. This is largely due to the fact that your teeth are being moved into new positions, creating space for debris to get trapped in the process. The good news is that this situation can typically be handled from home in a few easy steps.

How You Should Handle Something Stuck Between the Teeth First, it’s important that we mention what you shouldn’t do, like use tweezers or a toothpick to try and remove the debris. Instead, dissolve some salt in warm water and swish the mixture around in your mouth. This will help loosen the debris. Then, use your floss to gently clean between your teeth. If that doesn’t work, give our Worcester orthodontist a call.

Broken or Lost Retainer

Is a Broken/Lost Aligner or Retainer an Emergency? Both of these situations do warrant an immediate call to our Worcester office. After all, the longer it takes to replace a lost aligner, the more likely it is that there will be delays to your treatment plan. Similarly, the longer you go without a retainer, the more likely it is that you’ll experience orthodontic relapse.

How You Should Handle a Broken or Lost Aligner/Retainer Calling us is a great first step! Once we have a better idea of your situation, we can determine how to proceed. For example, we may recommend wearing your previous aligner until your replacement one arrives. If you broke your retainer, we may recommend coming to our office the very same day so we can repair it.

Loose Teeth

Are Loose Teeth an Emergency? If one or more of your teeth feel like they are loose enough that they could fall out, then it’s absolutely a dental emergency. On the other hand, if they feel slightly loose, you likely don’t have anything to worry about. If the sensation persists or you’re experiencing other abnormal dental symptoms, like bleeding gums, then you should contact us right away.

How You Should Handle Loose Teeth In cases where your teeth feel slightly loose from the pressure of your braces, avoiding crunchy, hard, and sticky foods entirely should help. Instead, try eating softer foods that aren’t loaded with added sugar, like bananas, oatmeal, plain yogurt, and vegetable soup. Again, if you feel like your teeth are on the brink of falling out, then don’t ignore them – call us ASAP to schedule an appointment.

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