What actually counts as an emergency
Real orthodontic emergencies are uncommon, and it helps to know the difference before one crops up. Most of what worries people, a poking wire, a loose bracket, a bit of tenderness after an adjustment, is an irritation rather than an emergency, and we can usually settle it with a quick visit or even a phone call. If you are in severe pain, or an appliance problem is genuinely painful and you cannot manage it, call our Halifax office on 902-817-6453 and we will get you in.
A few things do need faster help than an orthodontist can give. A blow to the face, a knocked or displaced tooth, heavy bleeding, significant swelling or any trouble breathing is a medical matter first: get to a doctor, dentist or emergency department, and we will pick up the orthodontic side afterwards.
Simple first aid until we see you
Most niggles can be eased at home for a day or two. For a wire that rubs, press the end flat with a clean pencil eraser and cover anything sharp with orthodontic wax, a scrap of sugar-free gum or a moist cotton pellet. A warm salt-water rinse soothes a sore spot or a small ulcer. If a bracket or a piece of your appliance comes loose and lifts out easily, keep it safe in a bag and bring it along; if it is still attached, leave it be and call us.
Wearing clear aligners? If you lose or crack one, go back to your previous set to hold your progress and call us for the next step. None of these home fixes replaces a proper repair, but they will keep you comfortable until we can see you. Our life with braces guide has more on the everyday care that keeps most of these problems from happening at all.
A little prevention goes a long way
The best emergency is the one that never happens. Steering clear of hard, crunchy and sticky foods protects brackets and wires from the knocks that pop them loose, and cutting firmer foods into small pieces takes most of the risk away. For hockey, soccer, basketball and the like, a custom mouthguard shields both your teeth and your braces from a stray elbow or ball.
Once your braces come off, the same care applies to your retainer: keep it in its case when it is not in your mouth, well away from hot water and curious pets, and let us know promptly if it cracks or no longer fits, so a small problem does not turn into a shifted smile. And if you are ever unsure, a quick call to check is always better than worrying; we would far rather hear from you early.