Braces for Grownups

July 19, 2013 by

adultbracesI thought braces were for kids!  They are, and they’re not. Many adults are acquiring the services of an orthodontist today. Orthodontia has evolved a long way from the ‘metal mouth’ image. Now bonded brackets and clear-colored braces that are not so noticeable are available. According to Dr. Sebastian, DDS, an Atlanta Orthodontist, there is less time and discomfort involved in braces today. He says adults may wear the braces an average of 12-20 months.

Crooked teeth or the classic overbite or under-bite are not just unattractive. They can have serious repercussions for dental hygiene and jaw alignment.

In the past, if teeth were misaligned, straightening them as an adult was not considered. In fact, many people exhibited very crooked teeth throughout their lives. It was not uncommon to see persons with extreme over-bites or incredibly crowded teeth. With the evolution of orthodontia and it’s revolution within the last ten years, an adult or child with serious malocclusion is seldom seen in the US today.
Now it may be easier than you thought to provide yourself with a beautiful and healthy smile. Orthodontics Simi Valley provides a consultation and an evaluation. When this is completed, the choices are yours.

WHAT TO EXPECT
You’ve decided to achieve the smile you want! First, realize that braces are a journey, but the end results could possibly exceed your expectations.

1. Before proceeding, your teeth will be thoroughly cleaned and dried. They must be dry to attach the brackets.

2. A strong bonding glue is put on the teeth and brackets attached.

3. Next, the dentist will place an archwire into the brackets and hold that tight with elastic bands.

WILL IT BE PAINFUL?
Not at first. But remember, the braces are going to re-align teeth. The teeth are encased in bone. All of this must be shifted and repositioned to achieve results. So discomfort can be expected for about a week. The mouth and teeth will hurt.

WHAT TO DO
Eat soft foods for a couple of days. Foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt and soup will be easily swallowed. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen relieve soreness.
Mouth sores can be an issue in the first few weeks of orthodontia. A product called orthodontic wax may be applied as a barrier between the mouth and the rubbing appliance. Use as much as necessary.

GETTING USED TO THE IDEA
it takes about a month for a person to get used to braces. Like all appliances in the mouth, there is an adjustment period. After a period of six months, their presence can be
ignored.
It is not unusual for a tooth to begin hurting for no apparent reason. This is normal because pressure is being brought to bear to shift positioning.

The important thing about braces is to keep in mind their purpose. Most adults are happy to anticipate a new look!

Filed Under: Caring for Braces

Taking Care of Your Braces

July 1, 2013 by

braces4If you had the unfortunate experience of having to go through braces you will know that they can be tricky to take care of. Trust me, I know. I had braces for a total of 6 years growing up. San Antonio orthodontist can help you learn about braces and answer any questions you have. You will want to keep in mind the following tips when looking to take the best care of your braces. First, you want to make sure that you have all of the right equipment. Make sure you have a toothbrush, flosser, and perhaps a waterpick. By having the tools you need you are more apt to remember to use it and make using it a habit. Second, spend at least 2 minutes brushing your teeth morning and night. This is important to get rid of food that might get stuck in between brackets and wires. Two minutes might seem like a long time, but in the grand scheme of things this is really very quick. Third, remember to floss each tooth even in the way back. I found it very useful have flossers to help me easily get in and out of my teeth and under wires effectively. If food gets stuck and stays there for a long period of time bad breath can occur as well as a buildup of plaque. Fourth, I also found it very useful to get a small wire brush and use that to go around each bracket to minimize plaque and buildup. It might seem like a daunting task but this is something that is important to do. Fifth, take advantage of mouthwash. This is a great way to give someone good breath and fluoride into an individual’s mouth to protect their teeth. There’s all sorts of flavors so chances are that you’ll find something your taste buds will like. Another way to take care of your braces and make the most of it, is to ask your orthodontist for fun color rubber bands. Each time you go for a check-up change the color and mix it up for something new and fun. By doing this little thing you can somewhat make this uncomfortable situation not as bad. In addition, to take care of your braces and make them the most effective for you, make sure to wear any and all headgear that your orthodontist gives you. You might hate the look of it, and let’s face it, it might even hurt and be uncomfortable, but it will help your teeth move along as they should. Once you are through with the metal mouth phase you will be loving your new straight teeth. Lastly, one final and important way to take care of your braces is to avoid foods that can harm your braces or perhaps even make them break. Some of these food include carrots which are hard or popcorn that the kernels can break off your brackets. It is absolutely essential to keep good care of your braces so your teeth underneath are protected and don’t decay over time. Braces can be tricky, but if you take care of them they are a great and easy way to make you have beautiful and straight teeth for a killer smile.

Filed Under: Caring for Braces, Ortho Tips

How to Care for Your Teeth with Braces—Part II: How to Floss + Extra Tips

January 21, 2012 by
F-shaped and Y-shaped dental floss wands

Care for Teeth by Flossing

Flossing

Flossing with braces can seem like a pretty tedious job, but it is really important, so don’t give up! You should floss every single day, preferably at bedtime after you have brushed your teeth. This will help remove any plaque left after brushing. If your gums aren’t healthy, they will probably bleed the first few days, but stick with it and the gum tissue will heal.

Flossing with braces is a little tricky at first but it gets easier with practice. A floss threader makes the job easier. There are also pre-cut lengths of floss you can buy that have a stiff “threader” end, eliminating the need for a separate floss threader. Figure out what works best for you. Either way, use the following technique:

  • Thread your floss under the archwire that connects your braces together.
  • Wrap the floss around the tooth on one side. Push the floss up towards the gum line, making sure the floss gets all the way under the gums, and then slide the floss down toward the wire. Be careful not to use too much force—you don’t want to bend your archwire! Slowly slide the floss up and down several times, right against the tooth, to remove all the plaque.
  • Wrap the floss around the neighboring tooth and repeat the process.
  • Once both teeth are flossed, pull out the floss and thread it between the next two teeth.

Interdental toothbrush

An interdental toothbrush (Proxabrush) can be very useful in cleaning under orthodontic wires and around the braces. Brush the tooth surface slowly and carefully so you do not damage your braces.

Antiseptic Rinse

After brushing and flossing, your orthodontist may recommend an antiseptic dental rinse to manage minor gum inflammation or mouth irritations from orthodontic appliances or canker sores, etc. Some antiseptic rinses also contain fluoride, providing extra protection against cavities.

Removable Appliances

If you are using a removable orthodontic appliance, it will accumulate food particles and plaque just like your teeth do. Every time you brush your teeth, brush your appliance. Once a day you should soak your appliance in a glass of water with a denture-cleaning tablet, such as Efferdent. (Use room temperature tap water; hot water could distort your appliance.) This will help prevent plaque buildup and oral infections and will keep your appliance tasting better.

Tips & Tricks

Put your time in front of the TV to good use! Sit down with your toothbrush (without toothpaste) and give your teeth and gums a thorough massage. You can do this while studying, or riding in the car, or anytime your hands are free. Spend up to 30 minutes a day doing this!

Also remember that anytime you eat, if you are unable to brush or floss, at least swish your mouth out with water. You can also carry toothpicks or small bristle brushes to help remove debris from your braces—just be gentle so you don’t damage your gums or your braces.

Regular Dental Checkups

Just because you are seeing your orthodontist regularly, doesn’t mean you can skip your regular dental visits! In fact, you will probably need to go more frequently than you did before. Many patients with braces continue to see their dentist every six months for a thorough examination, but increase visits with their dental hygienist to every three months for cleanings. Ask your hygienist how you are doing—if you have great oral hygiene you may not have to go as often, but if you have trouble keeping your teeth clean you may need to go even more frequently.

Be sure to read Part I: How to Brush

Filed Under: Caring for Braces, Oral Health

How to Care for Your Teeth with Braces—Part I: How to Brush

December 15, 2011 by
Toothbrush, photo taken in Sweden

Keep Your Teeth Clean with Regular Brushing

Braces are a big investment—and not just in money! It takes effort and dedication to care for your teeth while you are going through orthodontic treatment. What a shame it would be to spend thousands of dollars and many months wearing braces, only to take them off and find that your teeth are now scarred and discolored as a result of improper oral hygiene.

Braces create lots of small nooks and crannies for food deposits to hide in. If that food is not completely and thoroughly removed, a thick plaque can form on the teeth and gums. The plaque-forming bacteria in your teeth thrive on the sugars in food, and release acids that attack tooth enamel and gum tissue, causing bad breath, gingivitis (gum disease—marked by swollen, puffy, red, overgrown, or bleeding gums), and tooth decay. Plaque can even develop on the tooth roots under the gum and cause breakdown of the bone supporting the tooth.

The good news is that with proper care, you can keep the enemy—plaque—from ruining your teeth. The first step is to BRUSH often and well! Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride. Plan on spending several minutes, several times a day, taking care of your teeth. Remember, you are making an investment! Use small circular, vibrating motions, making sure to brush each surface of every tooth in your mouth, including the areas above, below and between each brace:

  • Start with the outside of the teeth, with the brush at a straight angle.
  • Brush the area between your gums and braces. Place the toothbrush at an angle so that you feel the bristles under your gum line and can get under the brackets; angle down for the upper teeth, up for the lower teeth.
  • Clean under the braces and the rest of your teeth by angling the brush up to reach your upper teeth and down to reach your lower teeth.
  • Brush the chewing surface of your teeth.  Move the brush back and forth, careful to reach those back teeth!
  • Finish by brushing the inside of the teeth.

After you are finished, rinse your mouth out with water. Your orthodontist may also recommend an antiseptic and/or fluoride rinse.

You should brush your teeth properly after every meal and snack. Always keep extra toothbrushes handy—take them with you to school or work! You will also need to replace your toothbrush more often—the braces will make it wear out quicker—so be sure to replace it whenever the bristles start to fray.

Be sure to read Part II: How to Floss + Extra Tips

Filed Under: Caring for Braces, Oral Health