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.

Do You Have TMJ?

Do you have an aching pain in your jaw that hurts when you chew and is giving you headaches?  You may have TMJ.

TMJ, or the Temporomandibular Joint, acts as a hinge that connects your jaw bone (mandibular) to your skull.  TMJ disorder causes a pain in the joint and the surrounding muscles due to a slippage or erosion of the joint disk.  This slippage or erosion is usually due to arthritis, a hard blow to the jaw, stress, or continued clenching of the jaw.  It most commonly occurs in women between 20 and 40 years old but can happen at any age regardless of gender.  TMJ can have a wide variety of symptoms including:

• Pain or tenderness of your jaw
• Aching pain in and around your ear
• Difficulty or discomfort chewing
• Aching facial pain
• Locking of the joint that may cause a clicking sound

When Should I See My Doctor?

Usually TMJ can subside with home treatment such as massaging the joint area, unclenching your jaw, applying heat and cold packs, and taking pain medication.  However, if the pain continues and you are having trouble eating or opening your jaw you should call your dentist right away.  You may need to be fitted for a jaw splint or bite guard to help ease the inflammation and rubbing.

If you think you may have TMJ and the pain is not subsiding, call Reed Orthodontics for a consult today.

Why Should You Wear a Mouthguard?

Braces can be a great way to fix your smile, but some precautions must be taken to make sure your smile stays that way. Mouthguards are crucial to your health and safety. They not only protect your teeth but they prevent concussions and other head injuries. 

Originally thought to be just a small head trauma, information about the effects of the concussions have come to light over the past few years. Concussions can lead to memory loss, depression, and headaches. Helmets help, but mouthguards make a true difference, especially for those sports without helmets.

However, just wearing a mouthguard will not fully protect you. The mouthguard must be properly fitted and molded to your mouth, just like braces! Otherwise, they might not be as effective.  Today, many dentists and orthodontists have begun to make custom mouthguards for young athletes. One Ohio dental assistant stated:

The No. 1 cause of concussions is not wearing a mouth guard. Athletes who don’t wear mouth guards, particularly hockey, football or any high-impact sport, when the player gets hit, the lower jaw bangs into the upper jaw and that consequently is what causes a concussion.  Custom, lab-processed mouth guards will prevent it nine times out of 10.

Be sure to ask your dentist or orthodontist to be fitted for a mouthguard, especially if you have braces. 

To schedule an appointment with Tina Reed Orthodontics, call us today at (412) 421-8565!

Will Braces Change My Facial Structure?

If you’re interested in getting braces for yourself, chances are, you’re doing it to achieve a better looking, healthier smile. And sometimes, the shifting of the teeth does cause slight changes in the shape of your face.

After all, your teeth are part of your face! (Along with your other facial tissue and bone structure.) Particularly if you have maloclussion—misalignment of the teeth—it is quite possible that your new smile will make your face look a little different. However, these changes almost always work to bring more balance to your facial features and add up to an overall more attractive appearance. In fact, many orthodontic treatments were designed to improve unbalanced facial features.

For example, if you have a protruding mouth or chin, wearing braces that are properly aligned by a skilled orthodontist can absolutely correct the problem. You may even see noticeable changes in your profile and jawline within the first year of wearing braces—so not only will you have a straighter smile, but you’ll also have a perfectly proportioned face!

If you’re especially worried about major changes to your facial structure, consider lingual braces—installed behind the teeth, they’re 100% customizable and result in straight teeth without making drastic, negative changes to the shape of your mouth or jaw. These are a great choice for adults who are hesitant about having metal wires and brackets wrapped in front of their teeth.

To schedule an appointment with Tina Reed Orthodontics, call us today at 412.421.8565 or click here to send our staff a message.

What “Causes” Bad Teeth?

It’s completely normal and common for new patients to come in feeling a little embarrassed about their teeth. Having teeth that you don’t feel confident showing off can be a big source of stress and some patients may even take it personally that they don’t have the most perfect teeth in the world from the get-go.

But new research tells us that we actually have very little control over our teeth—we are born with them, after all. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine have determined that genetics are in fact the most important factor when it comes to your teeth. However, of course we do have some control—brushing regularly, flossing, and avoiding sugary foods are great ways to make the most out of the teeth that you do have.

Here are some of the key facts courtesy of CNN.com:

About 60% of the risk for tooth decay appears to be due to genetic factors, says Mary L. Marazita, director of the Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine.

The other 40% has to do with environment: diet, brushing frequency, smoking habits, dental care access, culture, even socioeconomic factors, according to Robert J. Weyant, chairman of the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Dental Public Health.

So far, the single biggest environmental factor scientists have identified that encourages tooth decay is the consumption of sugary drinks, Weyant said. Any sugary treat can hurt, but sugary drinks are particularly adept at spreading sugar to every corner of your mouth to feed the bacteria that cause decay.

Click here to read the full article on CNN.com.

To schedule an appointment with Tina Reed Orthodontics, call us today at 412.421.8565 or click here to send our staff a message.

Fourth of July Festivities in Pittsburgh

With July 4 approaching, Pittsburghers are gearing up for a busy weekend of Independence Day Celebrations. And fortunately, there’s lots going on!

Year after year, the Three Rivers Regatta is one of the biggest, most fun events celebrating our rivers and some of our city’s most talented people. Here’s some info on this year’s Regatta, courtesy of WTAE:

Highlights will include the F-2 Powerboat North American Championships, the K9 Crew Frisbee Dog Show, a BMX stunt show, the Anything That Floats competition and a Zambelli fireworks show to light up the sky over the Golden Triangle on the Fourth.

Previously announced was Pogopalooza, the annual world championship of extreme pogo, featuring high-flying stunts and flips by competitors from the U.S., Canada, South America, and Europe.

Or, if you’re more of a night owl and are really looking forward to this year’s fireworks display, there are lots of secret and not-so-secret spots that’ll give you a great view. About.com’s Pittsburgh section gathered some of the best fireworks viewing spots in the city:

• If you like your fireworks up close and personal, then head downtown early to stake out a lawn spot at Point State Park where the fountain is finally up and running again!
• Great lawn spots are also available on the North Shore riverfront. Parking may be at a premium, so to avoid the worst of the crowds try parking in one of the downtown Pittsburgh garages and then walk over the Roberto Clemente Bridge to the North Shore.
• For a true front seat view, Kayak Pittsburgh offers a special 4th of July paddle. The fun begins with a leisurely paddle upstream at 7:00 p.m., and then a float back to the Point at sunset for a gorgeous view of the fireworks. Cost is $70.00 for Venture Outdoors members and $95.00 for non-members.
• There's a front row seat waiting for you at the Carnegie Science Center too. For $39.00 per person, you can enjoy a special evening of activities at the Science Center's Fireworks Blowout, plus a guaranteed spot for spectacular views of the fireworks from the lawn! For a premium, you can even stake out seats atop the U.S.S. Requim, or the roof of the Science Center.

Click here to read the full article!