{"id":48,"date":"2021-08-31T13:22:20","date_gmt":"2021-08-31T13:22:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplyorthografton.com\/blog\/?p=48"},"modified":"2021-08-31T13:22:21","modified_gmt":"2021-08-31T13:22:21","slug":"what-constitutes-an-orthodontic-emergency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.simplyorthografton.com\/blog\/2021\/08\/31\/what-constitutes-an-orthodontic-emergency\/","title":{"rendered":"What Constitutes an Orthodontic Emergency?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Orthodontic treatment of any kind \u2013 from traditional metal braces to Invisalign \u2013 comes with some discomfort. After all, moving your teeth into an entirely new position is no easy feat! With that being said, there are certain instances when seeking urgent treatment is necessary. Keep reading to learn what exactly constitutes an orthodontic emergency<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Orthodontic Issues: Emergency vs. Non-Emergency<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned above, some soreness stemming from your braces is natural. To alleviate your discomfort, try using a cold compress, sticking to soft foods, and taking over-the-counter pain medication as needed. On the other hand, if you\u2019re in an immense amount of pain or your orthodontic appliance is broken, get in touch with your orthodontist\u2019s office right away. Even if it\u2019s outside business hours, their voicemail will likely have specific instructions on what to do next. That way, you can get the effective treatment you need as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When to Visit Your Orthodontist\u2019s Office vs. the ER<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When patients are in pain, panicked, and unsure where to go, their first thought is often the ER. However, it is important to remember that hospitals rarely have dental professionals on-staff, especially an orthodontist. Therefore, you should only head to the ER if your orthodontic emergency has resulted in a potentially life-threatening condition, like uncontrollable bleeding or difficulty breathing. In all other cases, your first call should be to your orthodontist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Prevent Orthodontic Emergencies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Simply put, prevention is paramount. Although orthodontic emergencies aren\u2019t entirely preventable, there are a few best practices you can implement to significantly decrease your chances of experiencing one, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n