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Emergency Orthodontist Round Rock

When the Unexpected Happens, You Can Count on Us

Young man with ceramic braces smiling after seeing an emergency orthodontist in Round Rock

Whenever a wire breaks or a bracket dislodges from the front side of a tooth, there’s no need to panic. Simply call our office to schedule an emergency orthodontist appointment here in Round Rock. Dr. Asrar and our Big Smile Orthodontics team will see you as soon as possible to repair your orthodontic appliance and ease any discomfort, allowing you to carry on with your treatment plan without setting your final date back.

Why Choose Big Smile Orthodontics for Orthodontic Emergencies?

  • Advanced Digital Imaging for Accurate Diagnoses
  • Friendly, Knowledgeable & Helpful Team
  • In-Network with Most Major Dental Insurances
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How We Treat Orthodontic Emergencies

Close up of a broken bracket on a tooth with braces
  1. Call Us. The first step you should always take if you find yourself dealing with an orthodontic emergency in Round Rock is to give us a call. Our team will provide you with first aid guidance over the phone and advice to ease any discomfort you may be feeling as a result of the incident. We strive to see patients as soon as possible.
  2. Come in for an Exam. When you arrive, our team will take any necessary X-rays or scans of your mouth, and Dr. Asrar will conduct a thorough examination to see what needs to be addressed and whether any more extensive treatment is necessary. Based on her findings, Dr. Asrar will present you with a treatment plan, and our front desk will provide you with a cost estimate.
  3. Get Treated. When you decide to move forward with our proposed treatment plan, our team will get to work addressing your issue at hand!

The Most Common Orthodontic Emergencies

If you’re in doubt about whether you need to visit an orthodontist for an emergency, just take a look at some of the most common situations we treat below. However, even if you don’t see your exact issue listed in the chart below, we always recommend giving us a call if you’re concerned about your appliance!

Orthodontic Emergency FAQs

Will a Toothache Go Away on Its Own?

It is normal to feel soreness from time to time throughout your orthodontic treatment, especially in the hours immediately following your adjustment appointments. The good news is that it’s temporary. Plus, there are a few steps you can take to alleviate your discomfort even sooner, including using a cold compress, rinsing with warm saltwater, and taking OTC pain medication as directed.

How Should I Sleep with Tooth Pain?

If you’re experiencing discomfort stemming from the movement of your teeth, we have good news: there are a few steps you can take to alleviate it long enough to get a good night’s sleep. The first step is opting for extremely soft foods at dinner, like cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, and cooked carrots. Then, about 30 minutes before bed, take OTC pain medication (never more than the recommended amount) and use a cold compress for 10 minutes at a time.

Tip: If there are any sharp edges of your brackets or wires, place some dental wax over them so they don’t irritate the soft tissue in your mouth.

Is It Safe to Use A Toothpick?

If you get a piece of food stuck between your brackets and wires, don’t use a toothpick. After all, the sharp edge can push the debris further into place and irritate your gums further. Plus, accidentally swallowing a toothpick can be fatal. So, opt for pre-threaded floss instead. If that doesn’t work, then give us a call.

What Does Chronic Bad Breath Mean?

If you’re struggling with a persistent odor on your breath, take a good look at your oral hygiene regimen. In addition to brushing and flossing consistently, you should clean your brackets and wires, gently scrub the surface of your tongue, and rinse with mouthwash consistently. Then, do your best to steer clear of pungent foods, like onions, pickles, and garlic.

If you’ve adjusted your oral hygiene regimen and your diet, but the unpleasant smell persists, then schedule an appointment at our office. That way, we can determine if the odor is stemming from an untreated oral health problem, like a large cavity.

What If I Can’t Afford Emergency Dentistry?

While some patients come to us with an easy fix, like a wire that needs to be put back in place, others require more extensive treatment to get back on track. No matter what the case is for you, you can have peace of mind knowing that our emergency orthodontist in Round Rock will provide you with an estimate of the cost upfront. Dr. Asrar will also discuss the different financial solutions that are available, including flexible financing with CareCredit. That way, you can focus on getting the care you need instead of stressing about the price.

Toothache

Is a toothache an emergency?

Unfortunately, while it’s probably not what you want to hear, some level of dental pain is to be expected during any type of orthodontic treatment. The good news is that it’s usually completely normal to experience mouth-wide aching and soreness when biting down. These symptoms may last for a few days after first getting your braces or aligners, as well as after having them tightened or advancing to a new set.

However, in some cases you may be experiencing a dental emergency if the pain does not go away, seems to be getting worse, your tooth is becoming discolored, you have a sharp pain when biting down, or are experiencing lingering sensitivity.

How you should handle toothaches:

If your tooth pain does not go away within a few days, please call us as soon as possible so we can bring you in and determine what’s causing the problem. We may also instruct you to call your regular dentist for an emergency appointment if necessary. In the meantime, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers, apply icepacks, and stick to cold foods and beverages to ease any swelling or discomfort. You can also rinse your mouth with saltwater to kill any bacteria from a potential infection and use dental floss to remove stuck debris.

Loose Bracket or Wire

Is a loose bracket or wire an emergency?

Because this type of emergency typically doesn’t cause pain, it doesn’t usually require urgent care. However, you should still have it fixed soon to ensure your treatment stays on track, so be sure to call us as soon as possible to set up an appointment.

How you should handle a loose bracket or wire:

If your bracket or wire is completely off, do your best to locate it and bring it with you to your appointment. If it is still somewhat in place, try holding it on with orthodontic wax. In most cases we should be able to simply reattach it and restabilize the rest of your orthodontics right away.

Broken Bracket or Wire

Is a broken bracket or wire an emergency?

This type of incident could require more urgent care than a loose wire or bracket, because there is a risk it could injure your soft tissues. Never attempt to fix this type of problem yourself, as it could not only damage your braces, but it could harm your teeth and gums. Instead, call us right away for assistance.

How you should handle a broken bracket or wire:

Locate any pieces that may have broken off and be sure to bring them with you to your appointment. In the meantime, you can cover any sharp pieces in your mouth with dental wax or sugarless gum.

Protruding/Poking Wire

Is a poking or protruding wire an emergency?

While it may not be an immediate problem, over time the irritation caused by a poking wire could lead to an infection in the soft tissues of your mouth. Thus, you should treat it as an urgent matter and contact us as soon as possible.

How you should handle a poking or protruding wire:

Please call us to schedule an urgent appointment. In the meantime, you can use a cotton swab or clean pencil eraser to gently push the protruding wire back into place or apply some dental wax or sugarless gum over the wire to prevent it from injuring your cheeks, lips, or tongue. We can help you put it back into place and make sure your orthodontics are working as intended when you arrive.

Mouth Sores or Irritation

Are mouth sores or irritation an emergency?

Much like toothaches, mouth sores from braces are completely normal, as your soft tissues need time to adjust to the presence of your new brackets and wires. These should heal and become more comfortable within a few weeks.

How you should handle mouth sores or irritation:

If your mouth sores don’t seem to be getting any better, or if they begin hurting more, please call us as soon as possible. We can inspect the area for infection and help you determine how best to ease the pain.

Broken Ligature

Is a broken ligature an emergency?

A broken ligature is not usually considered an emergency, but it should be fixed as soon as possible to prevent it from poking your soft tissues. In the meantime, cover it with dental wax or sugarless gum, and call us right away to schedule an appointment.

How you should handle a broken ligature:

Depending on the type of ligature, you may be able to cover it with dental wax until it can be repaired. Please call us as soon as possible and we can give you more specific instructions for your individual situation, as well as schedule a time for you to come in and have it fixed.

Cut Lips, Cheeks, or Tongue

Is a cut lip, cheek, or tongue an emergency?

Should you accidentally sustain a blow to the face, your braces could cut your soft tissues. While this type of injury may bleed a lot, it is not typically an emergency, but we can stitch the wound closed if necessary. However, if the bleeding hasn’t stopped on its own within 10 to 15 minutes, please go to your nearest emergency room for help.

How you should handle a cut lip, cheek, or tongue:

First, gently clean the area with a wet washcloth or by rinsing your mouth out with water. Then, apply pressure to the area to stop the bleeding. You can also use over-the-counter pain reliever and cold compresses to ease any discomfort.

Something Stuck Between Teeth

Is having something stuck between the teeth an emergency?

Getting food trapped between the teeth or between the teeth and your braces is pretty common during orthodontic treatment. It is important, however, to remove it proactively instead of just hoping it will loosen and dislodge itself. Leaving it in place can not only be painful, but it can also cause other problems like cavities and gum disease.

How you should handle something stuck between your teeth:

First, try dislodging the debris by rinsing your mouth with warm water. Next try using dental floss to remove it, or a water irrigator if you have one. Be sure to stock up on things like floss threaders, picks, and interdental brushes to have on hand for this type of situation and never use a sharp tool like a toothpick.

If you’re still unable to dislodge it, please call us for help!

Broken/Lost Aligner or Retainer

Is a broken or lost aligner or retainer an emergency?

Although a lost or broken aligner isn’t usually considered an emergency, delaying getting help for it can potentially cause delays in your treatment or set it off track. Thus, be sure to contact us as soon as possible for help.

How you should handle a broken or lost aligner or retainer:

Never wear a broken aligner or retainer, as they could potentially move your teeth into the wrong positions. If you’ve lost an aligner and can’t find it by retracing your steps, give us a call and we can advise you. In some cases, you may be able to advance to the next set of trays, or it is possible that you may need to have the missing one replaced.

Loose Teeth

Are loose teeth an emergency?

The feeling of loose teeth can be especially alarming if you’ve got all your permanent teeth, but it’s very normal during orthodontic treatment. After all, your teeth are changing position, so they need to loosen a bit to move. However, should they feel particularly loose, something could be wrong, especially if you have signs of gum disease like bleeding or inflammation. Thus, if you’re concerned about a loose tooth, please contact us right away.

How you should handle loose teeth:

Never play with or overuse loose teeth, as this could make them worse. Be sure to practice excellent oral hygiene to protect your teeth from bacteria that could weaken the tissue in your mouth. If you are worried, we can bring you in for X-rays to keep an eye on the health of your jawbone and determine if you need gum disease treatment or a bone graft.