IF YOU JUST STARTED wearing braces, you might have noticed a pesky problem: food tends to get caught between the brackets. We know it can be annoying. Even more than annoying, it can be damaging and may even lead to decay.

Cleaning your teeth frequently—even when you’re on the go—can help you avoid problems.

Be Prepared With The Right Tools

It pays to be prepared. Here are some items that can be handy to have with you at all times:

• toothpick, flosspick, or other interdental cleaners
• travel toothbrush
• a water bottle or a mini bottle of mouth rinse
• orthodontic wax to help with discomfort from misbehaving wires
• a small mirror for examining and making sure the coast is clear

Putting all of these items together in a “braces/oral hygiene kit” may be wise. There are even pre-made braces kits that you can buy.

Making A Habit Of Regular Care Now Will Benefit You Later 

Taking care of your teeth while out and about is important—whether you wear an appliance or not. You can use these tools now, and even after you finish your orthodontic treatment.

When you DO get your braces off, make sure to add your retainer case to your oral hygiene kit. That way you’ll have all the tools you need to maintain your improved smile AND you’ll be less likely to lose your case.

Brushing And Flossing With Braces

To Our “Seasoned” Orthodontic Patients, What Advice Do You Have?

What items would you long-time, braces-wearing pros add to the above list? Do you have any tips that make your life with braces easier? Share your expertise in the comments below or on our Facebook page! And if you ever have any questions about your treatment, always call us!

Thank you for being our wonderful patients. We appreciate you!

HAVE YOU EVER ASKED US, “How long until my braces come off?!” Well, we hope you know that we don’t mind that question one bit, and we’re not surprised when you occasionally ask it. We hear that question often! We know that you’re eager to see your new smile. We are too!

We Have A Plan, But There Are Variables… 

We map out a very specific treatment plan for each of you, complete with its own timeline. Because every one of our valued patients is different, we’ve learned to be flexible.

People have different biological responses and some people’s teeth may move faster or slower than others’. Some patients are more sensitive to changes in their mouth too. Whatever the condition, we want all of you to be completely comfortable during your treatment. The pacing of your treatment may be influenced by your comfort level.

There ARE Things You Can Do

Luckily, a lot of the power is in YOUR hands. By following these guidelines, you can avoid unnecessary setbacks and help ensure that your orthodontic treatment goes smoothly.

• Be consistent in keeping your appointments. Try not to postpone or cancel!
• Be on time to appointments. This gives us time to do everything we planned.
• Be diligent about wearing rubber bands, attachable appliances, etc.
• Avoid damage to your braces by following our food guidelines and wearing mouth protection during sports.
• Take good care of your teeth! Gum disease or restorative dental work can slow down orthodontic treatment.

Taking Care Of Your Braces Is Important

Here are a few awesome tips!

Stay On Target

Remember that you’re on your way to a straight, beautiful, and healthy smile. Stay on track with your good habits, and you’ll be there in no time.

We promise to do our part to move your orthodontic treatment along efficiently. If you have any questions about your treatment time, just let us know. You can comment below, or leave a private message on our Facebook page.

Thanks for being a part of our practice!

THIS SUNDAY MUCH OF THE WORLD CELEBRATES motherhood and the many moms who have helped shape our lives. Most of us can thank a mom for our first smiles, subsequent years of grins and endless hours of care—including lots of help and encouragement taking care of our smiles. For ALL our mothers do, we want to say “thanks”!

The next time you eat, brush, or floss, stop and think about who taught you to do all those things? It may have been a dad or someone else who watched over you, but chances are it was your mom. Regardless of who it was, the individual(s) who taught you how to take care of yourself—and your smile—have made a big difference in your life.

This Mother’s Day, when you talk to your own mom or send a message to another mom who’s important to you, think about all the times that person made you smile. If that special somebody helped you with oral care, say “thank you” specifically for that! Let us know what that person says back to you by commenting below! We’d like to hear what their reactions might be!

After all, if it weren’t for the people who cared for us and taught us about good oral hygiene, we’d probably all have less to smile about (and fewer teeth to smile with).

A Fun, Thank You Tribute To Moms

If you have a favorite memory of mom, we’d love to hear about it. Share it with us in the comments below or on our Facebook page.

Have a great Mother’s Day!

LIFE CAN BE UNPREDICTABLE. When times get tough, it can be tempting to postpone or maybe even neglect your orthodontic treatment. Resist that temptation! Doing so can compromise the health of your teeth and the end result of your treatment. There’s a better way to save money and stay healthy: A Preventative Care Plan.

Part 1: Do Your Part At Home

All you need is a toothbrush, some dental floss, and five minutes of your day. Thorough daily brushing and flossing helps to prevent tooth decay as well as decalcification that can be caused by plaque buildup around your appliance. This is the most important part of your new preventative care plan and only you can do it!

Part 2: Don’t Skip Your Dental Visits

Deep cleanings from your dentist can reach those areas you can’t—such as below the gums—and can help fight plaque and other dental demons. Regular maintenance appointments are less expensive than restorative work.

Part 3: Fix Problems Early

If something is wrong or doesn’t feel right with your appliance, contact us immediately. To stay on track with your treatment, it’s important that we catch and fix any problems while they’re still minor.

You Gotta Love ’60s Commercials!

Pay special attention to the ol’ gender stereotype!

Your Preventative Plan May Be A Life Saver

By following this plan you can better protect yourself from major issues down the road. Some studies even indicate that neglecting your oral health may lead to other health issues including cardiovascular problems and diabetes. Faithfully following your “Preventative Dental Care Plan” helps keep you healthy.

Questions?

Let us know if you have any questions about your at-home oral care techniques. You can ask questions below or stop by our Facebook page to send us a direct message.

Thank you for being our patients and friends!

AFTER FINISHING LUNCH AT WORK, DO YOU BRUSH YOUR TEETH? A survey reveals that despite knowing that a healthy, attractive smile affects both personal wellness and professional image, very few people are brushing at the office.

The survey, carried out by The Academy of General Dentistry and Oral-B Laboratories, polled more than 1,000 full-time employees about their oral care habits and the importance of a healthy smile at work. Their findings were very interesting.

The Importance Of A Healthy Smile At Work

• 96% of respondents thought a smile was very or somewhat important to a person’s appearance.
• 40% ranked “smile” as the first thing they noticed about a person at work.
• 32% cited “bad breath” as their co-workers’ least attractive trait.

Office Eating And Brushing Stats

• 3/4 of respondents ate twice or more a day at work.
• Only 14% brushed their teeth!

Changing When You Brush

The sugars and starches in the food you eat can cause an “acid attack” on tooth enamel. Even after the visible evidence of food disappears, plaque bacteria continues to grow. If you don’t brush, those workday meals, snacks, and beverages stay on your teeth and can increase the likelihood of tooth decay and gum disease. So brush! Let’s adjust the when of brushing just a bit, to your advantage: brush your teeth after breakfast, after meals at work, and before you go to bed.

Some Foods Are Better For Your Teeth Than Others

Helpful Tips For Brushing At Work

• Leave a toothbrush at work and increase your likelihood of brushing by 65%!
• Step it up at home—the better you brush at home, the better you’ll brush at work.
• Take extra care to clean braces after, and store retainers as, you eat.

Suggestions?

If you brush your teeth regularly at work, do you have any suggestions to help the rest of us, who may not be as valiant? Let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook page.

Thank you for being a part of our practice.

5,000,000 TEETH ARE KNOCKED OUT during sporting events each year according to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation. Yes, that’s six zeros, meaning five million! If people don’t start protecting themselves, the Tooth Fairy may be able to retire—and we don’t want that!

April is National Facial Protection Month. Regardless of your age (adults get teeth knocked out too), we want to help you keep your smile beautiful.

Yes, You Should Wear A Sports Guard While In Braces

While you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment, you need to protect your teeth and your braces. By simply wearing properly fitted mouthguards and other forms of protective gear, athletes of all ages can greatly reduce the risk of traumatic facial injury. So, this spring, as team rosters fill up and your urge to hit the field or court grows stronger, remember to use appropriate protective gear.

Some Safety Tips For You And Your Family

1. Wear a mouthguard for all contact sports including baseball, soccer, football, and lacrosse. Other sports may apply too!
2. Wear a helmet and/or protective eyewear when appropriate. Face shields can also help protect your skin.
3. Be alert. Whether in the game or cheering from the sidelines, pay attention.
4. Avoid wearing retainers or any removable appliance when playing contact sports. Let us know if you have any questions.

Check out this fun video highlighting the importance of mouthguards!

We want everyone to be active but smart during the upcoming seasons and beyond! If you’re unsure of the type of protective gear you should wear with your braces or other orthodontic treatment, please ask us, we’re here to help make sure you have a blast this spring and summer, all while being safe.

Add Your Story

Have any of you had an experience where protective gear really made a difference? We want to hear about it. Leave it in the comments below or on our Facebook page.

Thanks for being our valued patients and friends.