Need an emergency orthodontist in New Hyde Park or nearby on Long Island? Don’t worry — orthodontic emergencies are rare. But, they aren’t impossible. In the very unlikely event that you experience an orthodontic emergency, you can reach out to us. Call us right away if you are experiencing severe pain that you cannot seem to solve on your own with the over-the-counter painkillers or wax that we have provided you. We’ll be able to figure out the best solution, whether it is guiding you to alleviate your discomfort or scheduling an orthodontic urgent care appointment for you in our New Hyde Park office — same-day whenever the schedule allows — so that we can resolve the issue for you.
Our goal is for you to have peace of mind throughout your treatment. You are never alone in your orthodontic care. We are here for you — always.
Common Orthodontic Emergencies
Here are some typical orthodontic emergencies and some things you can immediately do to help. Each one links to a short step-by-step guide if you want more detail.
Severe Pain or Discomfort
Rinse with warm salt water and use over-the-counter pain relief. Contact the office if symptoms persist. Some soreness after getting braces or an adjustment is normal — our guide to what’s normal and when to call explains how to tell the difference.
Poking Wire
Apply orthodontic wax to the wire. Use a pencil eraser to gently push it against the tooth if needed. See the step-by-step poking wire guide for what to do at home and what never to try.
Loose Bracket or Band
Cover with wax to prevent irritation and avoid sticky foods until professional repair. A bracket that’s still attached but wiggling is different from one that has come off entirely — read what to do about a loose bracket or what to do when a bracket breaks off.
Swollen or Bleeding Gums
Usually a sign that plaque is building up around the braces, not an emergency — but it shouldn’t be ignored. Brush gently along the gumline and rinse with warm salt water. Our guides on a swollen gum around a bracket and bleeding gums with braces cover when it’s normal and when to call.
Lost or Damaged Invisalign Aligner
Don’t skip ahead or go back a tray on your own — call the office first. Whether you wear the previous aligner briefly while a replacement is made, or move on to the next one, depends on where you are in your series, and Dr. Fung will make that call. Our guide to a lost Invisalign aligner explains what we’ll ask and why.
Lost Separator
Generally not urgent; contact the office for guidance on next steps.
Trauma to Mouth or Teeth
For severe injuries, visit an emergency room. Otherwise, rinse with warm salt water and apply ice to reduce swelling. If you play sports, wearing a mouthguard prevents most of these.
In general, avoid repairing anything on your own because it might cause further damage, and regularly check on your appliances to make sure nothing is wrong. For everyday care that prevents most of the problems above, see Life with Braces and Brushing & Flossing; for anything retainer-related, see Retainers.
Don’t forget: Keep our New Hyde Park office’s contact information saved on your phone so that you have it handy if you need to call, text, or e-mail us when orthodontic emergencies do happen.
