National Orthodontic Health Month

Keeping your teeth happy and healthy during any orthodontic treatment is important. Without healthy teeth, your orthodontic treatment time might need to be extended, or might fail entirely. Tooth health is also important when it comes to post orthodontia. Tooth stains acquired during braces may become permanent, or require costly whitening treatments to remove. With October being National Orthodontic Health Month, Reed Orthodontics wanted to take this time to refresh everyone on some braces basics.  

Brush, Brush, Brush!

We know, we know, you hear this from just about everyone, but we cannot overstate the importance of brushing your teeth on a regular basis when you have any type of orthodontia! This means taking a toothbrush and travel sized toothpaste with you wherever you go, and making a habit to brush as soon as possible after every meal. Food particles can easily get wedged in metal or plastic braces and trapped under Invisalign aligners. The longer these particles stay stuck, the more likely they are to lead to infection. And no one wants an infection!

Watch What You Eat

Caramel, peanut butter, hard candies, and all of the delicious sticky, ooey, gooey things are a big no-no when you’re receiving an orthodontic treatment. Just like not brushing your teeth, these yummy treats can easily get stuck in your braces and teeth leading to halitosis and infection. It’s better to stay away from these sweets and have a braces off party, than pay the price of tooth decay!

Follow Up with Your Follow Ups

Going to see your orthodontist every 4-6 weeks might seem like a pain, but it’s so important! Without frequent visits, something might be going awry in your mouth that could cause permanent damage. Your Orthodontist can spot a problem before it becomes a problem, which is essential to ensuring that your treatment is successful. Because, let’s be honest, there isn’t anything much worse than thinking your braces are coming off and being told that they need to be kept on longer because of an avoidable mistake.

So, if you’re considering braces, let us talk you through the process. We will ensure that you’re up-to-date on all of the new orthodontic tips and tricks to make your time with braces easier, and to make sure that your teeth come out better and healthier than before. Schedule an appointment today!

A Broad History of Orthodontics

Today, more than four million people in the U.S. wear braces. Straight teeth are desirable for both health and cosmetic reasons. In fact, 25% of the people who wear braces in the U.S. are actually adults. Orthodontics have come a long way over the years. In fact, the history of orthodontics dates back further than most people realize.

Early History

The first traces of orthodontics were in ancient Egypt. Archaeologists discovered that Egyptian mummies were so well preserved that some of them still had the catgut or other animal intestines wrapped around their teeth to induce movement. You’d have a hard time convincing someone to use that orthodontic tactic today!

Next, from 700 BC to 270 BC the Etruscans  were worried about having straight teeth in the afterlife. They were so worried that they utilized gold bridges to straighten their teeth after someone’s death.  Now that’s some expensive orthodontia.

The first big step toward modern orthodontia happened in 50 AD. Aulus Cornelius Celsus, an ancient Roman medical writer, transcribed his experimentation with straightening teeth. Though this was attempted by using finger pressure and not with the assistance of braces, his experimentation was the first documentation of attempts at practicing orthodontia.  

The Road to Modern Braces

In 1728 a French dentist named Pierre Fauchard designed the first set of contemporary braces. He used metal and threads as the materials. He also was the first to introduce the concept of examining the teeth and jaw before attempting to straighten the teeth. He referred to his work as “straightening” or “arranging” teeth. It wasn’t until the 1900s that the term “braces” actually came about.

One of the newest advancements in  orthodontics is Invisalign. In 1997, the clear, plastic trays were invented by two people who did not have any dental experience at all! Still, their efforts have been extremely successful and 2.5 million people around the world use Invisalign today.

Orthodontics have come a long way since its origin. Today, people have more options than ever to straighten their teeth. If you’re ready to take the next step to a straight smile, set up an appointment with Dr. Reed today to discuss your options!