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Orthodontic Emergencies — Milford, MA

Getting Your Smile Back on Track

Did you break one of your braces wires while eating lunch? Did your son or daughter accidentally throw out their Invisalign aligners at school? Has one of your brackets come loose? If so, don’t panic! Instead, just call Simply Orthodontics right away and we’ll be happy to help. Our experienced team will guide you through managing your situation over the phone, and they’ll schedule you for the next available appointment. You can count on Simply Orthodontics Milford when it comes to getting your smile back on track, so don’t wait to give us a call!

Young girl experiencing an orthodontic emergency in Milford

Why Choose Simply Orthodontics Milford for Emergency Orthodontic Care?

How We Treat Orthodontic Emergencies

Teen visiting for emergency orthodontic treatment in Milford

The Most Common Orthodontic Emergencies

Even though orthodontic emergencies are rare, it’s important to be able to identify one so you can take action right away. A good rule of thumb to go by is if your orthodontics are broken, missing, or causing you pain, you should give us a call right away. For your convenience, we’ve gathered some important information about the most common orthodontic emergencies we treat below, so you can learn more about how urgently they need to be cared for and how to handle them at home until you can reach us.

Understanding the Cost of Orthodontic Emergencies

father and receptionist discussing cost of emergency orthodontic treatment in Milford

The bottom line is you should never put off emergency treatment due to concerns about cost. However, when it comes to treating orthodontic emergencies, there isn’t exactly a standard price. Since no two orthodontic emergencies are the same, you’ll need to come to visit us before we can give you an estimate. In the meantime, here’s some information about the cost of orthodontic emergencies in Milford and how you can make them more affordable.

Every Orthodontic Emergency Is Different

a patient with braces dealing with oral pain

Remember, every orthodontic emergency is different, and this means that the treatment cost can vary depending on the situation. For example, minor issues such as a loose bracket or a poking wire are normally quite quick and inexpensive to address, whereas something like a damaged or missing bracket, or an injury to the mouth, may require additional time, materials, and follow-up care to be fully treated. During your appointment, our team will examine your smile and note your symptoms so that we can put together a treatment plan designed to quickly address your pain and correct the issue at hand. This treatment plan will also come with a cost estimate.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Orthodontic Emergencies?

a digital dental insurance form

It’s possible for dental insurance to cover orthodontic emergencies, but it depends on your plan’s specific benefits. Some include limited coverage for urgent repairs, especially if the issue is causing pain or could interfere with your treatment progress. However, other plans may not cover emergency visits at all. It’s always smart to review your benefits before committing to treatment; our team is also happy to help you with this! As an insurance-friendly practice, we’re all about ensuring that dental disasters don’t set back your orthodontic treatment.

Other Options for Making Orthodontic Emergencies Affordable

a patient with braces smiling

We know that unexpected orthodontic emergencies can be overwhelming and stressful, but one of the last things you should have to worry about in the moment is the potential cost of care. Even if you don’t have dental insurance coverage for orthodontic emergencies, there are still ways of making things more affordable. Our office also partners with CareCredit and Chewsi, third-party financers who offer qualifying patients low-interest, flexible payment options.  Don’t hesitate to ask our team for details or assistance signing up.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

a patient with braces brushing their teeth

Maintaining excellent oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment is one of the best ways to avoid extra costs. Brushing and flossing every day, avoiding foods and habits that can damage your braces or aligners, and wearing a mouthguard during sports all prevent problems that could lead to unexpected delays in treatment, as well as costly repairs. When it comes to preventing orthodontic emergencies and saving money on dental bills, a little daily effort goes a long way!

How to Prevent Orthodontic Emergencies

Man smiling after visiting emergency orthodontist in Milford

The best way to deal with an orthodontic emergency is to avoid it altogether! This means paying close attention to the details of your treatment plan and following the instructions we give you. More specifically, we recommend the following:

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home

Woman with braces smiling while brushing teeth

Committing to good oral hygiene habits won’t just keep your teeth and gums in good condition; it will keep your brackets, wires, and aligners in good condition too! That’s why we encourage our patients to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste to brush their teeth each morning and evening. At night, floss and rinse with an ADA-approved mouthwash as well to prevent plaque build-up, gum disease, and bad breath.

Follow the Dietary Restrictions

Woman smiling while eating lunch with friends

To prevent a bracket from coming loose or a wire from breaking, patients with traditional braces shouldn’t eat extremely crunchy foods, like raw almonds, peanut brittle, or hard pretzels. We recommend taking the same precautions if you have Invisalign to reduce the risk of an attachment breaking. Ultimately, it’s best to eat softer, more nutrient-dense foods during your teeth-straightening journey, like oatmeal, bananas, and plain yogurt.

Wear a Mouthguard During Sports

Man with blue mouthguard smiling outside

It goes without saying that wearing a mouthguard during contact sports, like wrestling and football, is important. What many patients don’t know is that wearing one during non-contact ones is equally as crucial. So, if you like lifting weights, riding your bike, or skateboarding, wear a mouthguard! We also recommend having one made if you grind or clench your teeth at night. That way, your teeth are protected from premature wear and tear.

Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools

Orthodontic assistant showing smiling patient braces

Without even realizing it, you may use your teeth as tools in your everyday life. For example, you might use your teeth to tear open plastic wrapping when the scissors aren’t within reach. Similarly, you may use your teeth to remove a bottle cap or to hold your keys when your hands are full. These are all habits that can lead to a broken bracket as well as a cracked tooth. So, it’s important that you quit.

Break Bad Dental Habits

Patient smiling at orthodontic assistant holding clear aligner

Do you bite your nails, chew on ice cubes, or bite on the back of your pen while working? These habits may seem harmless, but they can damage your braces and your teeth. The best thing to do is avoid habits like these altogether. That way, your chances of experiencing a stressful, painful orthodontic emergency are significantly lower.

While taking care of your braces or aligners takes a bit of effort and focus, these healthy habits will keep your smile safe throughout your treatment as well as beyond. So, make them a priority!

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Toothache

Is a Toothache an Emergency?

Throughout your orthodontic treatment, it’s normal to feel some discomfort. While it may not seem like good news, it’s actually a sign that your braces are working to guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions! With that said, there are some warning signs of a deeper issue, including:

  • Pain that lasts over 24 hours
  • Discoloration
  • Discomfort when biting down
  • A bump on the gums near the tooth
  • Fever, inflammation, and other symptoms of an infection

In cases like this, a toothache requires emergency treatment.

How you should handle toothaches:

Whether you’re struggling with minor pain or severe discomfort, it’s important not to ignore your toothache. Instead, call our team so we can schedule a time for you to come in for an exam. Depending on the root of the problem, we may recommend visiting your dentist for treatment. In the meantime, you can reduce your discomfort by placing a cold compress against the outside of your cheek, taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, and rinsing your mouth with a mixture of salt and warm water.

Loose Bracket or Wire

Is a Loose Bracket or Wire an Emergency?

Since loose brackets and wires typically aren’t painful, many patients assume they don’t need to schedule an appointment. On the contrary, it’s important that you do so we can help you stay on track with your treatment plan! That’s why we encourage our Milford patients to get in touch with us the moment a bracket or wire becomes loose.

How You Should Handle a Loose Bracket or Wire

If a piece of your braces fell off, then do your best to locate it and store it in a clean container. To protect your tongue, lips, and the soft tissue in your mouth, you should place a piece of dental wax over the bracket or wire. Once you arrive for your appointment, we can carefully reattach and re-stabilize your braces, putting you back on track with your treatment plan in no time!

Broken Bracket or Wire

Is a Broken Bracket or Wire an Emergency?

In short, the answer is “yes!” Broken brackets and wires have the potential to cut the soft tissue in your mouth, which can be quite painful. For this reason, it’s crucial that you get in touch with our Milford orthodontic team right away. That way, we can restore your braces and protect your smile immediately.

How You Should Handle a Broken Bracket or Wire

Similar to a loose bracket or wire, a broken piece of your braces might have fallen into your mouth or onto the floor. If you can, locate the piece or pieces and store them in a clean container so you can bring them with you to your appointment. Until then, cover the sharp edge with dental wax (or a piece of sugar-free gum!).

Poking Wire

Is a poking or protruding wire an emergency?

Absolutely! Broken wires that are left unaddressed can irritate your soft oral tissues and trigger a painful infection—and this can also lead to quite a bit of discomfort! But you shouldn’t have to suffer through this type of soreness; it can easily be corrected once you schedule an appointment with us.

How you should handle a poking or protruding wire:

Use a Q-tip or clean pencil eraser to gently push the protruding wire back into the correct position. If you’re unable to do so, you can apply orthodontic wax or sugar-free gum over the wire to prevent it from causing further harm. Once you’re here, we’ll help you put it back into place and ensure that it’s unlikely to become dislodged in the future.

Mouth Sores

Are mouth sores or irritation an emergency?

When you start wearing braces, you might notice the brackets rubbing up against your tongue, lips and cheeks, and as a result, you may experience irritation that leads to uncomfortable mouth sores. This is not uncommon at all, and many patients find that after a few weeks, the issue naturally begins to disappear as they adjust to their treatment.

How you should handle mouth sores or irritation:

If your sores aren’t healing quickly, or they’re becoming more aggravating, you should call us immediately so that we can inspect the area for infection and come up with a plan for getting you out of pain! In the meantime, you can rinse your mouth out with warm salt water and use orthodontic wax to cover your brackets; this barrier should help prevent further irritation.

Broken Ligature

Is a broken ligature an emergency?

If you wear ligatures, or rubber bands, as part of your orthodontic treatment, you should know that it’s quite easy to put them back in if they fall out. These elastics play a major role in keeping the wire attached to your braces, meaning that if any are broken, they need to be addressed quickly to ensure your treatment stays on track.

How you should handle a broken ligature:

If your ligatures are broken, you can try using sterile tweezers to carefully put them back in place. You can also use a cotton swab, Q-tip, or even a pencil eraser to bend it back into the correct position. If this doesn’t work, make an appointment with us to get things sorted out!

Soft Tissue Cuts

Is a cut lip, cheek, or tongue an emergency?

When you sustain a blow to the mouth or face, there’s a chance that your braces might accidentally cut your soft oral tissues. Sometimes, these types of injuries can bleed a lot, which might seem alarming—but they aren’t always considered an emergency. You can still come into our office and we’ll stitch the wound closed, if necessary. However, if you’re experiencing uncontrollable bleeding, you should head to the nearest emergency room.

How you should handle a cut lip, cheek, or tongue:

If you’ve suffered an oral laceration, try to clean the area with a wet washcloth and attempt to assess the damage. You can also rinse your mouth out with clean, lukewarm water. Apply pressure to the area to control the bleeding using a damp washcloth or a piece of gauze; within 10 minutes, the bleeding should stop, at which point you can also use a cold compress to help with any inflammation.

Something Stuck Between Teeth

Is having something stuck between the teeth an emergency? Since orthodontic treatment moves your teeth, it’s possible for new space to be created for food debris to become stuck between your teeth and your orthodontic appliances. Luckily, you can often handle these situations at home, and they aren’t normally considered urgent. If you’re dealing with severe pain or bleeding, though, the issue shouldn’t be ignored.

How you should handle something stuck between your teeth: It is unwise to attempt to remove an object or debris that’s stuck between your teeth with anything made of metal, like tweezers. Even a toothpick can cause harm, due to wood having the tendency to splinter. You might also end up damaging your orthodontia. Instead, use dental floss to gently clean between your teeth and clear out the stuck object(s). You can also rinse your mouth with lukewarm salt water. If none of this is helpful, give our office a call!

Broken/Lost Aligner or Retainer

Is a broken or lost aligner or retainer an emergency? Both situations warrant a call to our office. Remember, the longer it takes to replace a lost aligner, the more likely there will be delays in your overall treatment plan. You also won’t be able to simply use one of your next aligners. Similarly, a lost retainer means you could experience orthodontic relapse, which means your teeth revert to their original, incorrect positions.

How you should handle a broken or lost aligner or retainer: You should call our office and let us know what you’ve broken or lost, whether it was one of your aligners, a retainer, or even just a simple attachment. From there, we’ll know how to proceed; for instance, we may recommend using an old aligner for the time being until your replacement one arrives. If you’ve broken your retainer, we may suggest coming in quickly so we can repair it or get you a new one without any delays to your treatment.

Loose Teeth

Are loose teeth an emergency? If you believe one or more of your teeth are so loose that they might fall out, it’s considered a dental emergency. However, know that it’s normal for orthodontic treatment to make your teeth feel slightly loose and extra-sensitive. But these micromovements won’t cause them to outright fall out. If you’re experiencing abnormal symptoms, such as bleeding gums or intense throbbing pain, you should contact us right away, as it might be a sign of a complication.

How you should handle loose teeth: If your teeth feel slightly loose due to the pressure caused by your orthodontics, you can avoid eating overly crunchy, hard, or chewy foods to give your teeth a break. Opt for softer foods such as oatmeal, yogurt, smoothies, boiled pasta, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, soups and broths, and so on. If, despite these dietary changes, your teeth still feel so loose that you’re worried, reach out to us to schedule an appointment.

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