Tips on Taking Care of Your Braces

2 girls with bracesOnce you have braces, taking proper care of your teeth becomes a bit more challenging. However, there are a few tips that you can follow as a way to keep your teeth clean and healthy while wearing braces. After you get into the routine of properly cleaning the teeth and braces, it will become something easy and simple for you.

Flossing and Brushing Correctly

Before you begin brushing your teeth, use your write brush to get underneath the wires of your braces. These brushes are designed to help you reach into the most difficult spots to remove food particles that often get stuck between the teeth and the wiring of the braces. You can also use floss at this point to remove any plaque or food particles from between the teeth.

When you are brushing your teeth, you should always do it for at least two minutes. The best way to keep track of the time is to set a timer for two minutes on your phone. Always make sure that you are reaching the back of your teeth as well as the front.

Rinsing After Brushing the Teeth

When you are finished brushing your teeth, rinse the teeth with mouth wash. Not only does mouthwash help to eliminate germs, it will also leave your breath smelling fresh. There are plenty of mouth wash flavors to choose from so that even if you do not like the mint flavor, you will still be able to rinse your mouth out and kill the germs. In fact, they even have bubble gum flavor mouthwash.

Watch What You Eat

When you are eating, make sure to avoid foods that could get stuck in your braces and cause more trouble for you in the long run. For example, avoid chewy and gummy candy, such as gummy bears and gummy worms. Other food items, such as hard pretzels, can also cause your wires to snap so they should be avoided. On the other hand, mashed potatoes, applesauce, and even yogurt are good options. This does not mean that you cannot enjoy crunchy foods. It just means you have to be careful about what you eat.

Follow Directions from Your Orthodontist

If your orthodontist advises you to wear headgear or rubber bands, you should listen. Your orthodontist knows what is best and by following the direction, you can straighten your teeth and get your braces off faster. Northern Smiles Orthodontics offers its patients advice on caring for their braces and keeping them in good condition. Proper oral hygiene is a must, especially when you have braces.

Common Causes Of Cavities

dentistYou only get only set of teeth per lifetime, which means you need to keep those chompers looking pearly white. Cavities are both painful and expensive to deal with and can eventually lead to more serious dental issues requiring more invasive, unpleasant procedures such as crowns, bridges and root canals. Worst case scenario, you may even loose your teeth due to poor dental hygiene. Fortunately, by spending just a few minutes ever day to take your of your teeth and gums and making regular visits to a dental hygienist for cleanings and checkups, such as at Riverton Dentist, you can keep your smile looking bright and beautiful.

Unfortunately,for those of us with a strong sweet tooth, one of the most common causes of cavities is consuming sugary foods. Cavities occur when sugars and starches are left are on your teeth, allowing the bacteria in your mouth a chance to nibble away at your then weakened enamel. Unfortunately, sugary sweets and treats, including sodas, are some of the worst culprits for leaving behind these sticky carbohydrates that bacteria love. The best way to prevent this common cause of cavities, is to having avoid sugary snacks throughout the day and to brush your teeth after indulging in these treats. Brushing away the plaque the prevent any bacteria from having a chance to start breaking down your enamel and create cavities.

Another one of the most frequent causes of cavities is acid erosion. Sodas and other acidic drinks such as fruit juices are all highly acidic on your teeth and slowly break down the enamel coating. Unfortunately, once your enamel has been damaged to due acid wear, there is little that can be done to restore it, however, extra caution must be taken to ensure no further damage is caused. Enamel is crucial is protecting your teeth and keeping them strong. Once acid has worn down the enamel, your teeth become increasingly more susceptible to cavities and other dental issues. If you can’t live without your morning orange juice, drink from a straw to prevent the acid from being washed over all of your teeth, then afterwards, rinse your mouth with water. After consuming something acidic, wait at least one hour before brushing as your enamel is currently in a more vulnerable state and brushing immediately will do more harm than good.

Finally, proper brushing and flossing technique is crucial in preventing cavities. Flossing, in particular, is essential for removing plaque buildup between teeth, which your toothbrush alone cannot remove. It is recommended that you spend at least two minutes, twice a day, doing quality brushing, as well as flossing once a day for optimal oral hygiene.

Tips for Sensitive Teeth

sensitive-teeth

If you suffer from sensitive teeth, you are not alone; orem utah dental work can help. With the right tools and changes in habit you can overcome this annoying and reoccurring problem.

Toothpaste

Start with toothpaste made especially for sensitive teeth. Many brands make this. Your dentist might recommend one if you have not had much luck searching on your own. While this can really reduce sensitivity when brushing, it can also create a protectant shield to keep it in check throughout the day. What a way to improve upon daily life! Mouth issues like canker sores and toothaches can take over your life. Get ahold of them today!

Floss

This might sound counter productive if it hurts to floss. But flossing can remove the bacteria and junk caught in your molars to put them at ease. When this stuff sits there for hours, it can rot and spread, causing pain. Just rinsing with mouth wash and flossing can get rid of the problem in some cases. Even if you brush twice daily as recommended, you are not doing enough if you do not floss or rinse properly.

Eat Right

Did you know that orem utah dental work has solved this problem with food recommendations? Certain foods break down easier, creating painful germ spreading and mouth weakening. If you already have weak teeth, this might be serious. So stay away from junk food that breaks down quickly, like chips and candy. Chewy candy that gets stuck in the teeth is a big no-no. Also, brush after you eat fruit or starch that breaks down into sugars. Avoid acidic items like citrus and drinks like soda. They are acidy and sugary- a double whammy. If you need to, take a toothbrush to work to discreetly work on your routine wherever you go. Just because you are in a professional setting that does not mean that your body takes a brake from digesting.

Gum

Chewing gum also stimulates saliva glands so that you work against the grime of food. This might not seem to make sense, but sugar free gum might do you some good. If you cannot get to a toothbrush, then the best you can do is to rinse thoroughly with water and then chew on some minty gum for good breath and a cleaner palette.

Better Style

Turn to orem utah dental work for help with the way you brush. Doing it too vigorously, not enough, or with too hard of bristles can damage the gums and create sensitivity. So calm down and take easy-going strokes. While you still need friction, you don’t want to rub it completely raw. Take your time, brush longer, floss, eat right, and see your dentist to remove the sensitivity in your teeth.

Who Needs Space Maintainers?

orthotime, utah orthodontist

Everyone is born with baby teeth. They fall out and our adult teeth grow in. However, sometimes our baby teeth fall out too soon, or our adult teeth need a little guidance while they grow in. This is where orthodontists, like Orthotime, a leading Utah orthodontist, utilize space maintainers.

These space maintainers are exactly what their name is. They are plastic or stainless steel that is anchored to a fake tooth that maintains the proper space for the new adult tooth to properly come into. When a baby tooth is lost too soon it can no longer act as a guide for the adult tooth and it could erupt in a completely wrong place. This will often cause many problems as the child grows older and will require lots of orthodontic work.

There are many different types of space maintainers. Some are fixed and some, for older children, are removable. Talk to an orthodontist to understand if your child may need a space maintainer. It can often be determined through a simple oral examine or through an x-ray.

What is Invisalign?

nyc dental care, nyc invisalign provider

Invisalign, is the new way many people are opting for when it comes to straightening their teeth. A NYC Invisalign provider presents some great information about Invisalign.

Invisalign is a series of clear retainers that gradually straightener yout teeth. They’re nearly invisable, completely removable for eating, and incredibly effective. When you consult with your orthodontist then you’ll be able to determine the appropriate length of time you will need your retainers. Often, the average length of use is 18 months.

Both metal braces and Invisalign cost roughly the same on average at around $5000. However, it does depend on what your teeth need.

Sometimes Invisalign is the only thing that will close certain gaps in teeth, correct certain alignments and will do it with out having to glue shaper, metal braces to your teeth. While the retainers are tight and you are required to wear 23 hrs a day at least, often the retainers aren’t as bad as conventional metal braces.

There are many positives when it comes to choosing Invisalign. Check with your orthodontist to see if you’re a good candidate for them and start straightening your smile!

2022: How Will Dentistry Evolve Over the Next Decade

No one will be afraid to go to the dentist any more by the year 2022. Nearly all the pain has been taken out of dentistry already, but patients are only now beginning to catch on. In the next ten years people will come to expect painless, high-quality dental care, and the treatments will be faster, easier, and more thorough than ever before.

Most people are unaware of how advanced dentistry has already become. High-quality anesthetics, 3D printers, digital imaging, basic nanotechnology, and creative patient care are all here today. In the next ten years they will become common and inexpensive. Everyone will know that a dentist can find the problem, go straight to it, and fix it on the first try. What is more, it will not hurt. With modern dental technology even those undergoing the most invasive of dental procedures will only feel the sting of the needle when the anesthetic goes in. Within the next ten years that sting will be gone, and dentistry will be truly painless. What is more, patients will be so well cared for and expertly distracted while the dentist works that they will barely notice even the surgery.

But they won’t need dental surgery, because teeth will be healthier in 2022 than they ever were before. Decades of improving food, water treatment, and readily available preventative care will combine to help people keep their teeth in their heads, and the steady decline of cigarette smoking will not hurt either. Over the last ten years a lot of children have had their teeth “sealed,” which means that a transparent plastic film was bonded to them in their youth and bacteria cannot penetrate it. These children will never have cavities, ever. They will have little need for the dentist in 2022. If sealing does not appeal to you, there are other methods available. Dentists will use silica particles, no larger than a single atom in size, to polish the teeth. This impossibly fine grit will polish a tooth’s surface so impossibly smooth that bacteria can find nothing to cling to. Faced with tooth enamel that is as smooth as glass, the bacteria simply fall away.

MRI and other imaging technologies will get better, faster, and more detailed. The dentist will never miss another spot of plaque or infection. Targeted antibiotics will gain in popularity. Instead of troubling the body with a broad-spectrum antibiotic that never quite gets the entire infection, dentists will inject antibiotic cultures directly into the problem area, and then observe how the infection reacts. Once they know what sort of antibiotic works best on that particular bacteria, they make will short work of it.

This is only the beginning. The art of dentistry has nearly been perfected, and in the next ten years we will all begin to see the benefits. Expect your trip to the dentist in 2022 to be not only painless, but enjoyable.

Author Bio

Andy is a dental marketing consultant, author and blogger. With a professional dental direct mail campaign from 123 Postcards, you get guaranteed ROI, a dedicated account manager, and new patients with every mailing. For the best in marketing for dentist, choose 123 Postcards.

Pros of Invisalign

Many people don’t smile and it’s not because they aren’t happy. It’s because they struggle with insecurities about their teeth. So why would you add to the insecurity and get regular braces? Feeling confident and excited about your teeth getting straighter are just two of the benefits with Invisalign. An NYC Invisalign dentist has a list of why you should choose it.

There are many benefits with Invisalign. Like all dental work, it’s an investment. You should plan on paying a few thousand dollars. Generally speaking, Invisalign costs on average about $5000. Regular metal braces costs’ start at $5000.

Invisalign is far more comfortable than regular braces. If you choose this option you will be fitted with a set of clear, plastic retainers that will feel tight at first, but won’t be anywhere near as painful as the sharp metal of regular braces.

It’s best to consult with your dental care provider to know which options are available to you, but if Invisalign would work for you it has far more pros than cons.
(image: courtesy of fryorthodontics.com)

5 Foods You Should Avoid When You Have Braces

Getting braces is a step towards getting that smile you has always dreamed of. However, having braces will change certain aspects of your lifestyle. Now, there are certain foods that you shouldn’t eat as they could either damage your braces, or affect the look of your smile once the braces are removed. What follows is a list of the top five types of food to avoid if you have braces.

1. Hard Foods

There are a lot of things that are included in this category and the main reason why is that they can cause breaking of the brackets or wires of your braces. Hard foods include most crisp raw vegetables such as celery or carrots. Hand fruits should also not be eaten whole. Apples, pears, etc., should be cut cut into wedges or chunks before being eaten. Hard candies should also be avoided, as should hard nuts.

2. Chewy Candies and Gum

Not only are these things typically loaded with sugar, the chewiness puts you at risk of damaging the wires or brackets of your braces.

3. High Acid Foods and Beverages

Food and drinks with high acid levels in them, such as citrus fruits and soda, can not only damage enamel, they can lead to the discoloration of your teeth. The tooth under the bracket of your braces will not be affected, meaning you could end up with noticeable color differences in your teeth once your braces are removed.

4. Excessive Sugar

These foods should be avoided for the same reason as above. If you do consume something with a lot of sugar in it, be sure to brush your teeth and clean your braces as soon as possible after eating.

5. Meat on Bones

While ribs and chicken wings are delightful, eating them with braces can pose a significant risk of damaging the brackets, wires, or other “gear” in your mouth. While you have braces choose boneless wings and either avoid meat on the bone or cut the meat from the bone before eating it.

As tasty as these foods are, it is worth it to avoid them the short time you have braces. This will help to ensure that you get the most out of your orthodontic work and you will have plenty of time to enjoy things like corn on the cob once you have a fantastic smile. Avoiding these foods will also save embarrassing stains or uncomfortable trips to the orthodontist as a result of breakages.

 

Author Bio:

Andy is currently promoting Dentist in Copperas Cove and is an expert with dental software from information he found on http://www.dentrix.com.  When he is not working he enjoys target shooting in the outdoors.

 

Enamel Enhancers

teeth

There are plenty of toothpastes and rinses that you can buy that help you to build enamel coating on your teeth. Foods with sugars and such are not typically good for your teeth because when it is not washed out all the way, it begins to wear at your enamel and that is what gives you sensitive teeth. However, there are some foods that you can eat that help you to build that enamel back up without having to buy the expensive products at the store that can damage your mouth in other ways.

Teeth are like bones, in that they benefit from the intake of calcium. Dairy products are full of calcium and are good for you to eat when you have sensitive teeth. Things such as milk and yogurt are low in sugar and acidity which means that your teeth will not ache after eating them. The low acidity also helps to balance the pH in your mouth which keeps breath smelling good and your teeth feeling great!

Believe it or not, onions are good for your teeth. They have a compound in them that is anti-bacterial which helps to kill those nasty bacteria that make your gums and teeth ache. Make sure that you brush your teeth after, but it could end up being good for you!

Some other random foods include sesame seeds, fruits, green tea, and lots of water. Keep that in mind so that you can avoid sensitive teeth!

Mouth Matters [Infographic]

There are many “fun facts” when it comes to the history of dental hygiene. Check out this infographic if you’ve ever wondered who first used the toothbrush, why flossing is important or whether it really is true that a certain type of chocolate is actually GOOD for your teeth? Find the answers to those, and other questions in this Mouth Matters infographic:

Mouth Matters: Dental Infographic
Find out more on the Melaleuca Blog