Emergency Orthodontic Care in Pensacola and Pace, FL
Although they are rare, orthodontic emergencies can arise if you encounter pain or issues that demand immediate attention before your next scheduled visit to our Pensacola or Pace orthodontic office. Dr. Brooks and our team recognize the urgency of such situations and prioritize the well-being of our patients by offering emergency orthodontic care services to patients of record.
A genuine emergency is one that requires immediate intervention. Common instances include wire clips, poking appliances, and cases involving facial or dental trauma. If you experience such situations, our dedicated emergency line, listed in our office recording, serves as a vital point of contact for swift assistance and expert guidance. At Brooks Orthodontics, we understand the importance of addressing orthodontic emergencies promptly to ensure your comfort and safety.
Common Orthodontic Issues
- Loose Appliance: If your appliance is poking you, try to push the wire or offending part back away from your cheek. If it’s still poking, place wax on the offending part.
- Loose Bracket: If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it if needed for comfort. If the bracket or band can be removed easily, place it in an envelope and save it to bring to your next appointment.
- Loose Wire: Using a pair of tweezers or needle-nosed pliers, try to put your wire back into place. It is okay to use a piece of floss to tie the wire into place. Tie the floss around the bracket in place of the missing colored o-ring. If you cannot put the wire into a comfortable position, and covering the end with wax doesn't help, as a last resort use a small fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If the end of the wire is still sharp place wax on it.
- Poking Wire: Take a clean object and gently try to press the end of the wire down to remove the poking from the cheek.
- Knocked-out Tooth: If a tooth is knocked out due to trauma, put the tooth in whole white milk immediately, apply ice to any facial swelling, and call our emergency line.
General Soreness
When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth, and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. Stick to a soft diet until your teeth do not hurt to chew. Irritated gums and other sore spots can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm salt-water mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in eight ounces of warm water and rinse your mouth vigorously. If the tenderness is severe, take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain. Aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) and naproxen sodium (Aleve®) actually slow the tooth movement, so it is not advisable to use them frequently while wearing braces.
The lips, cheeks, and tongue may become irritated for one to two weeks as they learn a new posture and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces to reduce this. We'll show you how!
