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Emergency Orthodontist – Nashua, NH

Get Your Treatment Plan (and Smile!) Back on Track

Let’s start with some good news: orthodontic emergencies are quite rare. Of course, when they do happen, it’s important to act quickly so your treatment plan (and your smile!) aren’t negatively impacted. So, if you have a loose bracket, a protruding wire, you’ve lost one of your aligners, or something similar, give our Nashua emergency orthodontist, Dr. Sam Alkhoury, a call and schedule a same-day appointment, if necessary. You’re also welcome to read on to learn more on the topic!

Why Choose Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics for Orthodontic Emergencies?

  • Same-Day Appointments Available
  • Orthodontist with 25+ Years of Experience
  • Dental Insurance and Medicaid Welcome

How We Treat Orthodontic Emergencies

Orthodontic assistant and patient smiling at reflection in mirror

Naturally, the severity of the situation and the necessary treatment isn’t the same for each patient, which is why how we intervene will be completely tailored to your specific dental and orthodontic needs. With that said, this is a general overview of the process:

  • Call our office: Although most orthodontic emergencies are nothing to be alarmed about, we completely understand that patients can feel stressed amid handling one. So, don’t hesitate to give our Nashua team a call! After learning more about what happened, we can provide you with specific instructions on what to do next, from placing dental wax over your braces to moving onto the next set of clear aligners.
  • Schedule an appointment: If your orthodontic emergency requires additional care, then we will also schedule a time for you to come in. If your situation is more serious, then we may even recommend visiting us the very same day. However, in most cases, scheduling an appointment within a day or two will suffice.
  • Get the care you need: Of course, the last step is intervening with the appropriate care. Before getting started, we will clearly explain what to expect and review the associated costs so there aren’t any surprises at the end of your appointment. We can provide you with more detailed recommendations on how to prevent this orthodontic emergency from occurring moving forward as well.

The Most Common Orthodontic Emergencies

Just because orthodontic emergencies are more rare doesn’t mean they aren’t stressful. On the contrary, many patients experience more anxiety because they aren’t sure what to do or where to turn for help! Of course, our Nashua team aims to be here for you when you need us most, which is why we encourage you to call us with any questions you have or to schedule an appointment. Plus, you can learn more about common orthodontic emergencies and how to handle them right here.

Understanding the Cost of Orthodontic Emergencies

Closeup of orthodontist fixing patient's braces

If you’re worried about the cost of orthodontic emergencies in Nashua, you can know with certainty that our team here at Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is here to help! During your appointment, we’ll review everything in depth with you to ensure you understand which choice is best for your budget. With that in mind, it’s still nice to have a general idea of what goes into factoring the cost of orthodontic emergencies – here’s what you need to know.

Every Orthodontic Emergency Is Different

a patient visiting their dentist for an orthodontic emergency

In reality, no two orthodontic emergencies are ever going to truly be exactly the same – which means that there is no “set” cost for treatment. Keep in mind that some urgent situations may end up requiring inexpensive solutions, such as covering up bothersome brackets or wires with orthodontic wax until your next appointment. In more severe situations, such as broken braces, you may be faced with a higher bill. We won’t be able to provide you with a detailed estimate until you and your child have come in for an examination; however, once we know what we’re dealing with, we’ll be able to provide you with useful information and walk you through any expected costs.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Orthodontic Emergencies?

a close-up of a dental insurance form

Several insurance providers include some level of coverage for orthodontic emergencies, but since each plan differs, you’ll want to know the details of your plan going into any type of treatment or situation. In many cases, there will be a deductible that needs to be met before your services kick in, or there might be restrictions on what’s covered. Our Nashua office is proud to accept many insurance plans as well as Medicaid, and our team is happy to ensure you’re making the most of your plan’s benefits.

Other Options for Making Orthodontic Emergencies Affordable

a close-up of a patient with braces

If your family doesn’t have dental insurance coverage, don’t sweat it – there are still options for making your emergency orthodontic care fit within your budget. We’re excited to offer affordable financing through CareCredit, a third-party financer that allows patients to break the cost of their emergency orthodontic care into affordable monthly installments. We also offer periodic specials; don’t hesitate to contact our team to learn more about your options.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

a girl with braces holding a toothbrush

In any case, you should aim to help your child avoid orthodontic emergencies when possible – and a healthy smile is the secret to doing this! Daily brushing and flossing, as well as caring for oral appliances, will reduce the chances of cavities or gum disease forming and causing issues that cause costly setbacks. Your child should also avoid overly hard or sugary foods that don’t mesh well with orthodontic treatment.  

Keys to Preventing Orthodontic Emergencies

Young girl with braces smiling at orthodontist

Fortunately, orthodontic emergencies are quite rare. Even so, we recommend incorporating a few habits into your routine to protect your teeth and your braces from harm. Here are a few examples:

Abide by the Dietary Restrictions

Remember, the development of any oral health problems, even a small cavity, will bring your treatment plan to a temporary stop. That’s why it’s so important that you don’t over-indulge on sugary snacks, like caramel-filled candies and taffy. Instead, eat lots of nutrient-dense, well-balanced meals and abide by the dietary restrictions your orthodontist provided (like not eating tortilla chips, popcorn, and hard pretzels).

Break Unhealthy Habits

Breaking unhealthy habits, even seemingly harmless ones like biting your nails or chewing on ice cubes, is crucial since they can negatively impact your oral health and your orthodontic treatment. Of course, that often isn’t easy. The good news is that we’re here to help! We’d be happy to provide helpful resources as well as share tips on what has worked for our patients in the past.

Wear a Mouthguard When Playing Sports

Wearing a mouthguard during sports is essential, especially if you play soccer, football, or another contact sport. We also suggest wearing a nightguard if you grind or clench your teeth at night. That way, your teeth are protected from premature wear and tear.

Tip: Don’t have a mouthguard that fits over your braces? We can have one made for you! That way, you can stay active and have fun without worrying about compromising your oral health or orthodontic treatment.

Commit to a Solid Oral Hygiene Regimen

Committing to a solid oral hygiene regimen is crucial for several reasons. Not only does brushing and flossing consistently dramatically reduce your risk of dental damage, but it also helps prevent bad breath, plaque buildup, and even damaged braces. So, do your best to make good dental care habits a part of your daily routine, like brushing for two full minutes each morning and night.

Prioritize Your Progress Visits

Last, but certainly not least, make your progress visits a priority. That way, we can periodically check the condition of your braces, making sure that they are in pristine condition in the process. It’s also important that you come in every six months for a dental checkup and cleaning. These routine visits ensure dental problems, like cavities, are caught (and treated!) ASAP.

Orthodontic Emergency FAQs

Is a Cavity a Dental Emergency?

Remember, orthodontic emergencies extend beyond just broken brackets and loose wires. If you start to experience warning signs of trouble – from a sharp pain when biting down to a pimple-like bump on your gums – you should contact our Nashua office ASAP. From there, we can schedule an appointment, pinpoint the root of the problem, and determine the best way to restore your oral health and get your orthodontic treatment back on-track.

How Should I Sleep with Tooth Pain?

It’s normal to feel soreness, sensitivity, and pressure as your teeth begin to move. If symptoms like these have been preventing you from getting a good night’s sleep, we have good news: there are several ways you can alleviate them. First, we recommend eating extremely soft foods at dinner, like applesauce, plain yogurt, and pudding. Then, use a cold compress for 10 minutes at a time (this will help alleviate inflammation and provide a temporary numbing sensation).

Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Orthodontic Emergencies?

You should if you’re experiencing potentially life-threatening symptoms, like uncontrollable bleeding, trouble breathing, or difficulty swallowing. If you aren’t, then you shouldn’t head to the ER because they usually don’t have dentists or orthodontists on-staff. So, while the medical professionals there can alleviate any pain or discomfort you’re feeling, they can’t provide the orthodontic care you need.

Is It Safe to Use A Toothpick?

If you have something caught in your braces or between your teeth, you might be tempted to use a toothpick to try and remove it. However, sharp items like these are often more harmful than helpful, which is why we don’t recommend using them. Instead, try dissolving some salt in warm water and rinsing with the mixture. Then, use your floss of choice to gently dislodge the debris. If that doesn’t work, don’t hesitate to give us a call so we can assist further.

What Does Chronic Bad Breath Mean?

There are several common culprits of bad breath, including diet and oral hygiene (or lack thereof). So, try steering clear of pungent foods, like pickles, garlic, and fish, and prioritizing your dental care regimen. If that doesn’t work, then the root of the problem may be an untreated dental problem. At our office, we can complete a comprehensive oral exam to determine if that’s the case. If it is, then we can determine what restorative care is needed as well.

Can Orthodontic Emergencies Be Prevented?

Actually, yes! That’s why we encourage our patients to follow all of the treatment guidelines we provide – from avoiding crunchy foods to brushing and flossing consistently. Habits like these may seem small, but they have a big impact on your oral health and orthodontic treatment.

Toothaches

Is a Toothache an Emergency? That depends. If you’re feeling slight soreness immediately following an adjustment appointment, then there’s a good chance that it’s simply because your teeth are moving. If, however, your toothache is present with other abnormal symptoms, like pain when biting down or an abscess on your gums, then it is a dental emergency and requires same-day care.

How You Should Handle Toothaches If your toothache is stemming from the pressure of your teeth moving, then try placing a cold compress against the outside of your cheek, sipping on cool water, and taking an OTC pain reliever. If it’s the result of an untreated oral health issue, like tooth decay, then it’s important to call our Nashua office right away to schedule an exam and determine what the next best steps are to restore the look and function of your smile. Of course, if you’re ever unsure of what you should do, you can also give us a call so we can learn more about your symptoms and help you decide what to do next.

Loose Bracket

Is a Loose Bracket an Emergency? If any part of your braces is out of place, including one of your brackets, you should call our Nashua orthodontist ASAP. Mainly because we want to put it back in place before you accidentally bite down on it, your teeth move out of position, or something similar happens. Fixing your bracket should be relatively quick, so there’s a good chance we will be able to schedule an appointment for the very same day you call.

How You Should Handle a Loose Bracket If your bracket is loose, but still attached to the wire, then cover it with dental wax to protect the soft tissue in your mouth from being cut. If the bracket has broken off completely, then do your best to find it and, if you are able to, place it in a clean container to protect it until your appointment. Until you arrive at our office to have your braces repaired, stick to soft foods like soup, oatmeal, and scrambled eggs. This will help prevent your braces from further damage.

Broken Wire

Is a Broken Wire an Emergency?Similar to a loose bracket, a broken wire is an orthodontic emergency that warrants an immediate call to our Nashua office. Over the phone, we will learn more about the severity of the damage and determine the best time for you to come in for treatment.

How You Should Handle a Broken Wire First, use a small piece of dental wax and place it over the broken wire. This is an important step because the sharp edge can easily cut your lips, tongue, or the insides of your cheek, which can result in further discomfort. After that, be proactive about protecting your braces from further damage, like not chewing on crunchy foods or biting your nails.

Poking Wire

Is a Poking or Protruding Wire an Emergency? There are a few reasons that a poking or protruding wire is considered an orthodontic emergency, including that your treatment could be negatively affected, and the sharp edge can cut the soft tissue in your mouth. So, call our Nashua orthodontist right away to get an appointment on the calendar.

How You Should Handle A Poking or Protruding Wire If you can ease the wire back into position, do that. However, even this is a short-term solution. In order to properly fix your braces and get back on-track with your treatment plan, you need to come in for a visit. At this appointment, we will also provide any recommendations we have on how to prevent this orthodontic emergency from happening again in the future.

Mouth Sores

Are Mouth Sores or Irritation an Emergency? Usually, the answer is “no.” However, we do recommend reaching out to us if the sore doesn’t heal or seems to be worsening. That way, our Nashua dental team can make sure there isn’t an underlying oral health problem to blame.

How You Should Handle Mouth Sores or Irritation If you currently have a mouth sore, then rinse your mouth periodically with warm saltwater and avoid acidic, sugary, and spicy foods. If you want to prevent mouth sores, then use dental wax to cover any sharp edges of your braces.

Broken Ligature

Is a Broken Ligature an Emergency? The ligatures (commonly referred to as “rubber bands”) are crucial because they keep the wire in place. So, if they break, you need to visit us ASAP in order to stay on-track with your treatment plan!

How You Should Handle a Broken Ligature If the ligature comes loose, then you may be able to carefully reattach it with a pair of tweezers. If the ligature completely breaks, however, then you need to come to our office. At this point, our Nashua orthodontist will fix it as well as cover any sharp areas of your braces to prevent a soft tissue injury.

Soft Tissue Cuts

Is a Cut Lip, Cheek, or Tongue an Emergency? That depends. If the cut is still bleeding after 10 minutes of applying pressure, then you should head to the ER for medical attention. However, soft tissue injuries like these can usually be handled at home.

How You Should Handle a Cut Lip, Cheek, or Tongue To get an idea of the location and size of the cut, go to the sink and thoroughly rinse your mouth with clean, cool water. Then, use a damp washcloth or a piece of gauze to apply pressure to the area. After a few minutes, the bleeding should subside. At this point, you should use a cold compress or towel-wrapped ice pack to address the swelling.

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Is Having Something Stuck Between the Teeth an Emergency? Fortunately, this situation can usually be handled at home in a few easy steps. In other words, having something stuck between your teeth doesn’t usually warrant a same-day visit to our office. You can, of course, give us a call if you’re concerned or aren’t sure what to do.

How You Should Handle Something Stuck Between the Teeth The worst thing you can do in this situation is reach for something sharp, like a toothpick. This can push the debris deeper into your gums or between your teeth, which we don’t want. Instead, you should swish some warm saltwater around in your mouth and, after spitting it out, use floss. If this doesn’t work, then give us a call.

Broken or Lost Retainer

Is a Broken/Lost Aligner or Retainer an Emergency? Yes, a broken or lost aligner as well as a broken or lost retainer are considered an orthodontic emergency. The best thing to do if this situation arises is to give us a call so we can advise you on the next best steps.

How You Should Handle a Broken or Lost Aligner/Retainer If you lost your aligners or retainer, then carefully retrace your steps starting from the last place you had them. Since they often wind up in unexpected places, make sure to look in places like the center console of your car, your trash can, and your bathroom floor. If you have your aligners or retainer but they are damaged, then the best thing to do is contact us so we can get to work on having it replaced.

Loose Teeth

Are Loose Teeth an Emergency? Your teeth might feel slightly loose from time to time during your orthodontic treatment. So, there’s no cause for concern there. Of course, if one or more of your teeth feel like they are on the brink of falling out, then that’s a different story. In that case, you should schedule an appointment ASAP.

How You Should Handle Loose Teeth If your teeth are slightly loose, then it can be helpful to stick to soft foods in the meantime. If the situation is more serious, then call us right away and do what you can to prevent the tooth from loosening further, like touching it with your tongue or finger. It goes without saying that you shouldn’t chew on that side of your mouth or engage in unhealthy dental habits either, including biting your nails or chewing on ice.