If you have traditional metal braces, clear aligners or are wearing another form of orthodontics, you’ll want to have an orthodontist in Milton whom you can trust to provide timely care, should you ever experience an emergency. From broken brackets and loose wires to intense pain or a lost piece of an appliance, these are common problems that are known to happen from time to time. Here at Milton Orthodontics, Dr. Saunders and his team are ready to jump into action should a situation arise. To learn more about what you can do to mitigate these problems at home while waiting to see our team, review the following information and contact us should you experience an orthodontic emergency.
Orthodontic emergencies don’t always seem urgent, but it’s always best to contact us whenever you experience any type of issue or complication with your treatment—this is the only surefire way to prevent long-term issues with it! It’s also worth mentioning that many types of orthodontic emergencies can be handled over the phone, but some warrant professional assistance. Here’s a little more about some of the most common orthodontic emergencies that we see and how they’re typically handled:
Simply put, fear of expensive treatment should never keep you from getting the urgent care that your smile needs. However, since no two orthodontic emergencies are exactly the same, you’ll need to come to visit us in order for us to provide you with an estimated cost of treatment. Upon arrival, we can begin our emergency exam, determine the source of the problem, and give you an idea of what you’ll need to pay. Our practice is thrilled to accept various insurance plans and offer additional means of affording emergency care, such as affordable financing through LendingPoint .
Orthodontic emergencies aren’t as common as you may think, and there’s a chance you could go through your entire treatment without experiencing one – but you shouldn’t count on this! Instead, you can take some precautions and maintain some good habits to lower the chances of sustaining one. Keep reading to learn about a few ways you can keep your orthodontic treatment right on schedule by avoiding potential mishaps and setbacks, and as always, don’t hesitate to contact us as soon as you’ve noticed something’s wrong with your treatment.
The fact of the matter is, a healthy smile is far less likely to experience problems like cavities and gum disease that can spawn orthodontic emergencies – and while brushing and flossing does a lot, you must continue to visit your dentist regularly so they can ensure there are no hidden problems worsening. Likewise, your orthodontist will be able to inspect your orthodontia to ensure that there are no issues that might lead to pain or treatment setbacks. If something is amiss when you go in for one of these routine check-ins, they’ll be able to quickly fix it.
One of the very last things you should want to happen while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment is for an oral health issue to pop up. Cavities, gum disease, and many other types of problems that result from poor oral hygiene can actually cause setbacks to your orthodontic treatment. With that in mind, you should be extra diligent when it comes to brushing and flossing at home, even brushing after every meal if possible, and keeping your aligners or your braces clean at all times. Use special products designed for braces and clear aligners, and don’t hesitate to brush after meals to ensure no lingering food debris is left to trigger issues.
You’ll want to stay away from particularly hard, crunchy, sticky, or chewy foods while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. If you wear braces, these sorts of items can damage your brackets and wires, or even the teeth themselves. Likewise, clear aligners shouldn’t be worn when you’re eating. Since you’re going to be making dietary changes to avoid orthodontic mishaps, it’s also in your best interest to opt for healthy, smile-friendly options that mesh well with your braces.
Wearing a mouthguard when playing any type of sport or engaging in physical activity is a crucial step to preventing orthodontic emergencies. All it takes is one foul ball, flung elbow, or a bad slip and fall for you to end up with a loose or broken bracket or wire, or worse – a knocked-out tooth! That said, a mouthguard can greatly mitigate these types of dental disasters and protect your orthodontic investment. Don’t hesitate to speak with us about getting one of these devices.
Your teeth should never be used to remove bottle caps, tear into plastic packaging, or hold objects like car keys, pens, and pencils. Likewise, you shouldn’t bite into hard objects like ice cubes frequently, nor should you bite your nails. These are just a few of the many bad habits that can damage your teeth and your orthodontia. Should something happen and something breaks, don’t hesitate to contact our office at once!
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To celebrate our re-grand opening, we're offering free orthodontic consultations and $550 off your Orthodontic treatment for a limited time!
Come see our refreshed space and meet the team dedicated to helping you achieve your best smile.
*offer valid for new patients only. May not be combined with other discounts and must start treatment by 8.1.2025. Other restrictions may apply.
