Accidents happen, especially when it comes to kids and teens. From unexpected toothaches to a broken bracket, as a parent, dental-related problems can often take you by surprise.
But when something goes wrong, it’s important to know whether you’re dealing with a dental emergency or an orthodontic emergency. Understanding the difference can save time, reduce stress, and ensure you get the right care when you need it most.
What’s the Difference Between an Orthodontic Emergency and a Dental Emergency?
The main distinction between a dental emergency and an orthodontic emergency lies in the type of issue and the professional you should contact. While both involve oral health problems, they affect different areas and require specific expertise.
Orthodontic Emergency
These emergencies are related to orthodontic appliances, such as braces, aligners, or retainers. They typically involve discomfort, a broken or damaged appliance, or an issue that might interfere with orthodontic treatment but is rarely life-threatening.
Dental Emergency
These involve teeth, gums, or the structure of the mouth itself. Pain, infection, or significant tooth damage are common signs of a dental emergency, and they may require urgent attention from a dentist to prevent long-term complications.
Common Orthodontic Emergencies
Orthodontic problems can occur when appliances become damaged, displaced, or cause significant discomfort. While most orthodontic issues are not serious emergencies, a few may require immediate attention from your orthodontist.
Loose or Broken Brackets and Wires
If a bracket detaches from a tooth or a wire breaks, it can cause irritation to the cheeks, tongue, or gums. While this is usually not a critical emergency, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your orthodontist to prevent treatment delays.
Use orthodontic wax to cover sharp edges, preventing further irritation until your orthodontist can make repairs.
Poking Wires
Sometimes, the ends of orthodontic wires can protrude and poke into the soft tissue inside the mouth, leading to discomfort or even small cuts. While this may seem minor, even small cuts can become infected, so it’s best to get this issue taken care of.
Cover the end of the wire with orthodontic wax as a temporary solution, and call your orthodontist.
Lost or Damaged Aligners or Retainers
While not a health emergency, a misplaced or broken aligner can temporarily disrupt your treatment plan.
Contact your orthodontist right away. We may recommend wearing your previous or next aligner or give other instructions until a replacement can be obtained.
Severe Pain or Discomfort
It’s normal to experience some mild discomfort as teeth adjust to braces or aligners, but severe or prolonged pain may be a sign of a bigger problem.
Over-the-counter pain relievers and saltwater rinses may provide temporary relief, but contact your orthodontist to investigate the root cause.
Common Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies often involve sudden pain, trauma, or infection that requires immediate evaluation by a dentist. Prompt treatment is needed to prevent further complications or tooth loss.
Severe Toothache
A persistent or intense toothache can indicate serious issues like decay, infection, or abscesses. Sudden pain that escalates should never be ignored. If a bad toothache is accompanied by swelling, fever, or a bad taste in your mouth, it could be an abscess. And if left untreated, it can spread and become life-threatening.
Over-the-counter treatments such as numbing gels and painkillers are an option for temporary relief, but contact your dentist promptly, as oral infections can pose a serious health risk.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Trauma to the mouth can result in a tooth being completely dislodged. Quick action can potentially save the tooth.
Apply gauze to control bleeding and a cold compress to reduce swelling. Rinse the tooth with water, but do not scrub. If possible, place it back in the socket and hold it there while seeking immediate dental help. If reinsertion isn’t possible, store the tooth in milk. Try to see a dentist within 30 minutes or head to the nearest urgent care or ED.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
A chipped or fractured tooth, while not always painful, exposes inner structures and increases the risk of infection.
While it may not seem as emergent as a fully knocked-out tooth, seek dental attention ASAP.
Don’t Wait!
When faced with an oral health emergency, it’s important to call a professional right away. When unsure, make your best guess. Both your dentist and your orthodontist should know what to do next.
Have more questions about potential emergencies? Call or ask at your next appointment!
