How to Properly Clean Your Teeth with Brace

Keeping your mouth and teeth clean is important part of your daily routine. However, it is even more important when you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. You must know how to properly clean your braces and retainers and that you aren’t skimping out on your end of the job. First of all, you should be seeing your orthodontist about once a month so they can make sure your treatment is going as planned and that your are taking care of your teeth. Keep in mind that it takes about three times as long to clean your teeth with braces than it does without.

Brushing

You should brush your teeth after every meal and snack. Not brushing after eating can cause strain on your teeth after your braces are removed. Oral B recommends using a two-step system when brushing your braces. First, brush your teeth from top down and then bottom up. You can also buy specially made toothbrushes designed to clean between brackets. Nevertheless, while these toothbrushes are helpful, they are not necessary. Remember to replace your toothbrush every 3 months. You should brush your teeth for about two minutes:

1.     Start by rinsing your mouth out with some water.

2.     If you wear rubber bands, remove them.

3.     Clean your braces: clean around and under your wires and brackets.

4.     Clean your teeth: focus on each tooth individually by moving your brush in a circular motion.

5.     Don’t forget to brush your gums: we don’t want them to get inflammed and bleed.

Flossing

When flossing it is important to use a floss threader so that you can get under the main wire and floss in between your teeth properly. Try to avoid putting pressure on the main wire.

Mouthwash

Many orthodontists recommend using fluoride mouthwash on top of brushing your teeth and flossing, for those hard to reach places. Mouthwash also helps control plaque build up. If you don’t have fluoride mouthwash then salt water is an excellent alternative because it can help kill sores and Gingivitis. You should rinse your mouth out with mouthwash or salt water for about 30 seconds after your brush your teeth and floss.

Proxy Brush

Most orthodontists will give you a proxy brush to help you reach difficult areas and to really get in between your wires. These are very useful; just remember to change them out frequently because they do collect germs.

Avoiding chewy and tough to eat foods like corn, nuts, apples, popcorn, candy, and gum will make the cleaning experience easier for you. If you have any further questions on keeping your braces clean or are unsure how to do anything we have discussed here, please contact Dr. Reed’s office today at 412-421-8565.

The Annoyance of Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the very last molars in your mouth to develop. They usually begin to pop through your back gums at around 16 to 19 years old. If you cannot see them around this age then your teeth may be impacted and you should talk to your dentist. Some people however do not have wisdom teeth and therefore do not have to deal with getting them removed. Because wisdom teeth are the last to come in they often do not have enough room to grow and can cause crowding in your mouth forcing your teeth to shift. More often than not, wisdom teeth are removed rather than forcing your teeth to shift. The crowding caused by growing wisdom teeth can cause intense amounts of pain, infections, and sometimes even cysts.

Removing your Teeth

Getting your wisdom teeth out can be very painful but the good new is you don’t have to be awake for the process. Depending on whether you teeth are impacted or not, the process can be a simple extraction or a surgical extraction. A simple extraction only requires some Novocaine and a dentist while with a surgical extraction, an oral surgeon will put you under with a general anesthesia and removed your teeth from your gums.

Braces and Wisdom Teeth

Most people get braces around 9 to 14 years old, long before wisdom teeth begin to appear. So why should you get braces when you don’t have all your teeth yet and they are just going to shift anyways? Many people get their wisdom teeth removed and therefore their teeth don’t need to shift. If you don’t get your wisdom teeth removed it is probably because they aren’t causing a problem, meaning the shift isn’t that big and braces can quickly fix the problem if there is one at all. We recommend that you get braces before you get your wisdom teeth removed or when your dentist recommends them because the chance of you needing them again later is life is slim.

Its Not the 80s, Why Do I Need Headgear?

Headgear may give you nightmares of the 1980s, the Katy Perry “Last Friday Night” music video, or any John Hughes movie. Though it may not be the most fashionable accessory, it is a key tool in helping adjust your jaw and your smile, which is the best accessory of all. Headgear is a removable device used with braces to adjust the overbite or underbite of an orthodontia patient. It provides extra pressure and guidance to move teeth and align the jaw. Headgear consists of three main parts. The bands are cemented to your back molars, the wire that attaches the headgear to your teeth, and the headpiece that keeps everything in place. These places can be attached to your braces themselves or plates that are more common because the plates allow the gear to be removed.

Use

Headgear is usually worn to adjust an underbite but can be over in the case of an overbite. It restricts movement on the more prominent part of the jaw so that the opposite side has time to catch up and align with the prior. This can be done in two ways; first by anchoring the back teeth so the retraction of prominent front teeth can be maximized or by moving teeth backwards to create more space in the front of the mouth. While most people just wear headgear at night to avoid embarrassment, it is more affective the more it is worn. Thus, wearing your headgear throughout the day can actually lessen the amount you have to wear your gear in the end. Kids typically wear headgear 12 to 14 hours per day for 9 to 18 months.

Types of Headgear

There are two types of headgear available. The first, called the facebow consists of a wire boy that attached to your upper molars. The bow then connects to a headpiece with a strap that lies behind your neck and head. The second type is called a J Hook. The J Hook attaches your braces to two wire loops instead of a wire bow. The J Hook also uses the same head trap as traditional headgear.

Don’t worry parents and adults; headgear is mainly worn by children who still have developing jawbones. Adults rarely wear headgear because their jaws are fully developed.

Stop Biting Your Nails!

Did you know that over half all people bite their nails? So if so many people do it, it can’t be that bad right? Wrong, “[P]eople who bite their nail usually do it chronically” and biting your nails can cause damage to your teeth and cause oral hygiene issues. The constant biting can force your teeth to move out of place or break all together and enamel to splinter. Some people however can’t help but to bite their nails. The bad habit has been linked to genetics and usually affects more girls than boys. Most girls and boys however have reported to spot biting their nails after getting braces because it is uncomfortable.

Why Should You Stop

1. It can cause diastama and your teeth to move: Diastama is commonly known as a gap between your two front teeth. This is most common in people who begin biting their nails at a young age and don’t stop. This can lead to a need for braces.
2. Your teeth can chip: When biting through your nail, your teeth tend to hit each other pretty hard. This point of impact can cause your teeth and it’s enamel to break.
3. The roots of your teeth weaken: This process can happen when you continue to bite your nails while wearing braces. Root resorption is when part of your roots are dissolved by the bone surrounding them which make your teeth roots very weak.
4. It can cause gingivitis: Biting your nails brings germs into your mouth that can infect your gums and teeth. In some cases this can lead to gingivitis.
5. It can cause TMJ: The constant biting of your nails may cause the disc in your jaw to slip and lead to TMJ.

How to Stop

While many people grown out of the nail biting phase in their life after their teenage years, some people still struggle with the problem. Try some of these ideas to help you stop biting your nails:

• Cut your nails short leaving less to bite.
• Paint your nails with nail polish. The bad taste of the polish will deter you from biting your nails. Some brands of nail polish make polish specifically for this reason, leaving you with a worse taste than other polishes.
• Try to manage your stress in different ways: yoga, deep breathing, working out, or meditation
• Try wearing gloves or covering your nails with bandages.

If none of these suggestions work, try contacting your doctors or a mental health professional to see if they have any further solutions. Your issue may be related to stress or anxiety that may need to be treated through medication or counseling.

What Are My Rubber Bands Even Doing?

If you ever sucked your finger or thumbs, you may have an overbite or an underbite, which means you may need braces. There are two types of rubber bands for braces. The first is called ligatures, which are the smaller rubber bands placed around your brackets. However, today we are focusing on inter-arch elastics, usually just called rubber bands. These rubber bands are made of a stretchy elastic material and are larger than ligatures. They are used to apply pressure to one’s jaw through force and tension created by the elasticity of the bands. In turn, the bands help to correct overbites and underbites. Rubber bands can be placed on teeth in a multitude of ways, but the most common is inter-arch, connecting the top of the mouth to the bottom.

How Do They Work?

Rubber bands pull the jaw forward or backwards, in order to align the top and bottom rows of teeth but can also be used to make the straightening process faster for individual teeth. When receiving rubber bands, brackets with hooks are put on either side of one’s mouth, one on the top and one on the bottom of both the left and right side. A band is then attached to the bottom and top teeth, connecting the upper and lower part of your mouth. The angle of the rubber band depends on how bad the overbite or underbite is, the bigger the problem, the wider the angle.

The Dos and Don’ts

• DO follow the directions of your orthodontist or dentist.
• DO try to wear your bands as much as possible. While you should wear your rubber bands 24 hours a day, we realize that is an unrealistic request. Many orthodontists suggest taking them out to brush your teeth, floss, and eat. Although it may be easier to eat without the bands, studies have shown that wearing them as you chew can actually shorten the process.
• DO wear your bands while you sleep.
• DO replace your rubber bands each time you take them out with new ones.
• DON’T double up on rubber bands. Although it may seem to work faster because more pressure is being applied, it may actually slow down the movement of your teeth.
• DON’T forget to wear your bands. Wearing them intermittently may actually cause more pain and soreness than wearing them all the time.

Remembering to wear your rubber bands may be a pain, but the more you do it, the less you will actually have to wear them in the long run. Rubber bands use force and tension to pressure your jaw into the correct position while speeding up the straightening process of your teeth in general. Rubber bands will help you more than they hurt you.

Permanent or Removable Retainers: What’s the Difference?

Congratulations! You have finally gotten your braces off. Now you need to learn a little bit about retainers. Retainers are used to keep your teeth in place after you get your braces off. They do not push and form your teeth like braces, but instead just acts as a binder to make sure your teeth don’t shift back to their original state. It takes almost a year for the periodontal ligaments to solidify in their new positions once the braces have been removed. Remember to always listen to what your orthodontist tells you because if you don’t wear your retainer your teeth may shift back.

Types of Retainers

There are two types of retainers available, permanent and removable. There are two types of removable retainers, Hawley retainers and Essix retainers. Removable retainers are great because you can take them out to brush your teeth or floss. However, their biggest asset is also their biggest flaw, you can lose these retainers very easily.

Hawley retainers are made of bendable wire and acrylic or plastic. There is a front wire that goes in front of your teeth while the acrylic or plastic is molded to the top of your mouth.

Pro: A great thing about these retainers for kids is that they come in a variety of colors and patterns, adding a little flair to their mouth.

Pro: They are also useful for orthodontists because they are adjustable, making it easier for your orthodontist to adjust your teeth after braces.

Pro: They are less likely to be replaced due to their more rugged construction.

Con: This retainer is very noticeable and may cause a lisp when you first start to wear it.

Essix retainers are clear plastics that are molded to your teeth like a very thin mouthguard.

Pro: They are virtually invisible on your teeth.

Pro: While Essix retainers can affect your speech, it is usually less than Hawley retainers.

Con: They are quite fragile. They can develop holes or cracks easily and are more likely to bend and ruin their shape.

There is only one type of permanent retainer, called a permanent bonded retainer. This is a permanent retainer because it never leaves your mouth. It is glued to your teeth. These retainers are usually only used on the bottom six teeth in the middle of your mouth. They can be used on your top teeth but this is rare because it can cause difficult biting.

Pro: This retainer is invisible to other people.

Pro: You cannot forget to put on your retainer and your teeth are therefore less likely to shift back.

Con: It may cut or bother your tongue and is difficult to floss.

It is very important to keep your retainers clean, no matter what kind of retainer you have. If you are unsure what type of retainer will work best for you, call your orthodontist. Many orthodontists have personal preferences on which retainer believe yields the best results. Braces are expensive, you don’t want to repeat the process, so make sure you get the right kind the first time. Call Dr. Reed for an appointment today at 412-421-8565.

When Should My Child Get Braces?

To start off simply, your child should probably first see an orthodontist before they turn seven. However, the age can vary depending on the severity of your child’s misalignment. Nevertheless, just because you are seeing an orthodontist does not mean you are beginning treatment that very moment. We must wait until a child has at least a few of her permanent teeth before we start using braces. Usually this is between eight and fourteen years old.

Why Do Kids Need Braces?

Kids need braces for a number of reasons. Some of the most common reasons include crooked, overlapping, overcrowded teeth, an overbite, or an under bite. These issues can be genetic but can also be caused by injury or by children sucking their thumb or fingers. If your dentist notices a problem they will most likely send you to an orthodontist for more examination. Starting the process early doesn’t mean your child will get braces sooner, but it does mean you will have a handle on the problem sooner.

On your first visit your child will only go through a routine check up to analyze the problems. They will probably have an x-ray and get a mold of their mouth. Remember, just because you or your child go in for an appointment, doesn’t mean you will get braces that day. Once the braces are on, you will need to visit the orthodontist every couple of weeks so they can keep track of the adjustments.

Two Phase Treatment

Some dentists and orthodontists recommend two phases of braces. Phase one begins when your child still has their baby teeth and phase two, when they have their permanent teeth. Phase one does not always use braces but other types of “dental appliances”.  This two-phase process allows the baby teeth to be guided into adulthood and hopefully stay in place throughout the process.

Remember, you don’t have to be a kid to get orthodontic treatment. About half of all orthodontic patients are adults. It’s never too late to get braces. So whether you have a kid who needs braces or you’re thinking of getting them yourself, call Dr. Reed to see how she can help you with your decision.

What Causes Sensitive Teeth?

Do you wince every time you bite into something cold? You probably have sensitive teeth. Sensitive teeth can be caused by a number of factors.

Causes

There are several reasons your teeth may be sensitive; some preventable, others not.  It is mainly caused by the disappearance of your enamel and exposure of your dentin, which are hollow cavities that lead directly to your tooth nerve. However, your enamel can be stripped and ruined in many ways.  Here are the top ten causes you should look out for:

You Grind Your Teeth. Grinding your teeth wear down your enamel, exposing the dentin.  Try using a bite guard.

You Whiten Your Teeth. Whitening your teeth strips your teeth of its enamel, layer by layer, thus exposing the root to your nerves.

You Use Too Much Mouthwash. Mouthwash is similar, it contains alcohol and chemicals that if used to frequently it can strip your enamel from your teeth. Try fluoride rinse instead.

You Brush Too Vigorously. While you want to brush hard enough to get rid of any germs and plaque, you do not want brush too hard. Aggressive brushing can break down your enamel and expose the pathway to your nerves. Also, try to use  a soft bristle toothbrush.

You Eat Acidic Foods. Acidic foods such as oranges, grapefruits, and tomato sauce can cause discomfort when the pathway to your nerves are exposed.

You Have a Cracked Tooth. A cracked tooth can amount to much more than teeth sensitivity. If you have a cracked tooth, call your dentist right away to get it looked at.

You Have Gum Disease. Gum disease is very common in older people because your gum line tends to recede with age. The recession of your gum line eventually exposes your dentin and in turn causes sensitive teeth.

You Have Excessive Plaque. Too much plaque on and around your teeth can cause your enamel to wear off. Remember to floss at least once a day or after every meal if you can.

Your Fillings are Decaying. Over time fillings begin to decay leaving holes in your teeth. These holes can be filled with bacteria and food which eventually break down tooth enamel.

You Had a Dental Procedure. If you have recently had a dental procedure is is not uncommon for your teeth to become sensitive. However, do not worry, this sensitive your subsides over time.

Treatment

Do not worry, tooth sensitivity is totally treatable. The easiest and cheapest option is to buy toothpaste with fluoride, specifically for sensitive teeth. Also, try to use a soft bristle toothbrush so as not to be even harder on your teeth. It is also a good idea to stay away from acidic foods. Orange juice, wine, soda, and yogurt may be delicious but they are not good for your teeth. Nevertheless, this special toothpaste does not help everyone. If your pain continues you should call your dentist to set up and appointment in order to figure out the best treatment option. If you need or want braces but have sensitive teeth, Invisalign is an excellent option for you! Call Dr. Reed today to set up an appointment to see if Invisalign would be right for you.