Emergency Orthodontics in Florida
Call Busciglio Smiles for Emergency Orthodontics Services in Brandon, Florida.
Fortunately, our patients do not have many orthodontics emergencies, but if you live in or around Brandon, Florida, you can contact us at Busciglio Smiles for any emergency orthodontic concerns that you have and we can help you determine what the appropriate next step is.
Important: Do You Need Immediate Medical Attention?
First, it is very important to determine whether your orthodontic emergency is serious enough to require immediate medical attention. If you have the following and can’t reach our office right away, you should call 911 and/or go straight to an emergency room:
- – Knocked out tooth
- – Injury or trauma to the face or jaw
- – Severe bleeding and/or intense pain
- – Dental appliance stuck in throat
If you aren’t sure if something might be a serious emergency, but think it could be, call 911 right away.
Common Orthodontic Emergencies
In addition to serious orthodontic emergencies such as an injury or knocked out tooth, you may be dealing with pain, gum infection, or loose or broken braces. Always contact us if you are having any problems with your braces or other orthodontic treatment.
Using some simple tools in your home such as tweezers (make sure you clean and disinfect them first), you can mitigate many issues at home. Here are some common orthodontic emergencies and issues and some suggestions on how to handle them:
Loose or Detached Braces Brackets
If you or your child has braces, the brackets that are adhered to the teeth can very rarely become loose or detach. This is not a serious emergency but should be dealt with as soon as possible. Detached brackets can happen when really sticky or hard foods are chewed, such as hard candy or taffy. If the bracket is loose, you can try to leave it in place until you are able to come in for an appointment with us. If it breaks off completely, keep it and contact us for an appointment to reattach or replace it.
Braces Wires Poking Out
Sometimes the wires in braces can start to poke out and jab cheeks or gums. They can often be gently pushed back into their tube with a cotton swab or trimmed with disinfected nail clippers. But contact us first before cutting anything – it may be best to come in for an appointment!
Steel Tie Poking Out
The steel ties or ligatures that connect braces brackets to wires can sometimes become unwound. This can be a bit uncomfortable for obvious reasons! You can try to push this back into place (some suggest using a clean pencil eraser) or contact us for an appointment to repair it.
Braces Wires Fell Out
On rare occasions, wires in braces can dislodge completely and come out of the molar tube. You can use your fingers or tweezers to fit the wire back into the tube. Contact us if you have any questions about this.
Irritation, Sores, or Ulcers
Traditional metal braces can sometimes irritate the gums or inside of the mouth. Minor sores and ulcers that go away on their own aren’t that problematic, but if you are experiencing ongoing irritation, please contact us to schedule an appointment.
Lost Rubber Band
The rubber bands that fit over braces brackets can sometimes come off. These elastic bands are there to keep the wires in place but aren’t actually required for braces to work. If your elastic band comes off, schedule an appointment with us to replace the rubber band, and in the meantime, if the exposed wire gets loose, use a tweezer to fix it.
Painful, Sore Teeth
Teeth can sometimes feel a little painful or sore when braces are used. This is perfectly normal and not an emergency unless the pain is really severe or is accompanied by a lot of bleeding (in which case, call 911). Over the counter painkillers such as Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin can possibly help. Chewing, by the way, can actually help reduce pain in the long run, even if it may be slightly uncomfortable, because it simulates blood flow.
Reducing or Preventing Orthodontic Emergencies
The best way to reduce or prevent orthodontic emergencies is to follow our instructions on taking care of your oral health, including properly maintaining your braces if you have them. You should be seeing us for your regularly scheduled appointments to adjust and monitor you or your child’s progress if braces have been installed.
We highly recommend Invisalign clear aligners if you have any concerns about maintaining traditional metal braces. Invisalign clear aligners have less issues and emergencies because they don’t have a lot of metal parts, wires, or rubber bands. Avoid chewing hard objects like candy, ice, or pens, and don’t eat very sticky, chewy foods that could interfere with your braces for best results.
Contact Us Immediately If You Have an Orthodontic Emergency
If you have an orthodontic emergency, contact us right away at (813) 680-5040. We can help you with a variety of remedies for common orthodontic emergencies. For a serious medical emergency, please call 911.
