Posted on October 21, 2021
Approximately 3.9 million orthodontic patients in the United States are kids, according to Aaoinfo.org. That means a lot of children are running around with braces and the potential for families to face an orthodontic emergency. Although orthodontic emergencies tend to be rare, there have been times where emergency care has been needed.
The first thing you need to do is to stay calm and don’t panic. You do not want any problems when it comes to your child’s orthodontic treatment. It’s time to find out exactly what’s wrong so you are fully informed and can provide the necessary information.
When your child says something hurts or feels wrong about their braces, it’s time to ask some questions. Where is the pain located? How long have they been suffering? Did you wear your mouthguard during physical activities or sports? You will want to know what type of emergency you are dealing with.
An acute orthodontic emergency, whether from sports or other types of accidents, involves bleeding and possible missing teeth. First, your child may need immediate attention from their medical doctor in case they require stitches. Otherwise, your child’s orthodontist can adjust their braces as needed once the soft tissue has healed. The good news is that your child’s teeth-straightening plan will not be interrupted by an oral emergency. Treatment can be picked up right where it left off.
Contact your child’s orthodontist. Many orthodontists can offer suggestions to fix problems at home that may not be too serious. Otherwise, they will meet you to take care of the emergency.
Orthodontic emergencies happen. While they tend to be concerning, orthodontists are prepared to quickly handle them. Check to see if your child’s orthodontist has multiple resources and ways to be contacted after hours. Above all else, do not put off contacting them when facing an emergency.