This Blog was posted by Clearview Dental – your Family Dentist in Milton, Ontario

Dental Braces

How To Take Good Care Of Your Braces?

Food particles and plaque can accumulate on braces in no time at all. Lack of proper oral hygiene while wearing braces can result in tooth decay or other periodontal diseases.
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You must follow a routine plaque control program similar to what is explained below:

A special orthodontic toothbrush or a soft toothbrush can be used.
As flossing with braces is harder to do and time consuming, use of super-floss, floss threaders etc. can be beneficial. In order to remove hard to reach plaque and food particles between tooth and braces, an inter-dental brush can be really helpful.
Oral irrigators can be added help in cleaning up your teeth faster.
Risk of cavities can be reduced by the regular use of a mouthwash with fluoride in it.
Do not eat hard to bite food items as they can loosen or bend braces.
Consume fruits and vegetables only in small pieces and always chew them using the back teeth.
Chewing gum, candy items etc should not be used as they can loosen, break or bend the braces.
Reduce you sugar consumption as sugar is known to raise the risk of tooth decay.
Never miss out on any of your follow up dental appointments.
It is not an easy task to take proper care of your teeth with braces, but the hope of attaining a killer smile should act as a motivation for you in doing so.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should I Get Braces?

A great smile can change your face totally. Braces can help you to attain a much brighter smile. Adjusting the teeth and thus making changes in the way your face is seen can help in achieving this. This will in turn add to your
self-confidence and over all good feeling. Your digestion will improve as you chew better. Uneven teeth can be a problem in chewing properly. If food goes to the stomach without getting chewed properly, that can cause indigestion or malnutrition. Reduced risk of future dental problems. If you do not use braces and get your teeth fixed, you may be facing multiple dental problems for years. You may find it difficult to clean uneven teeth. Your teeth and gums may be facing unnecessary wear and tear. After suffering through such problems for years, many adults are opting for braces these days. You can reduce the risk of breathing problems. As people get older, the roof of their mouth may cause some blockage in their nose and cause breathing trouble. This may cause snoring or sleep apnea. Braces from an orthodontist can reduce these risks. Uneven teeth are prone to get damaged faster and this problem can be
significantly reduced. Take care of harmful habits.

Why Do We Need Braces?

Orthodontic problems are part of human genetic system. People have been growing steadily in size over the last few millennia. The proportion of size increase for human teeth was at a considerably faster level than the rest of his face.
This resulted in having bigger teeth than what can fit properly in people’s mouth. So an orthodontist takes charge of the situation so as to rearrange your teeth and resize your mouth as much as possible.

Is There Any Other Reasons For People To Get Braces?

Babies using pacifiers for a very long time, sucking fingers even after they turn two years old, habit of biting finger nails, habit of biting lips, injuries to the mouth etc can result in orthodontic problems. Sudden stoppage of
breastfeeding can also cause similar problems. But the main reason for most people is the faster pace of teeth growth compared to growth of their mouth. As it is a standard feature of human growth, you don’t have any choice other than
facing it.

How Does Orthodontics Work?

Braces bring each of the teeth in to the desired positions by the application of gentle and consistent pressure. When you look at your braces, they may look like they are sitting idle. But all through the orthodontic procedure, there are some small helpful changes happening in your mouth. The major parts of braces are the brackets placed on each teeth and arch wire, which joins the arches together. Brackets are made of metal or ceramic and are designed to fit on to each tooth. Now the orthodontist will stretch the arch so as to bring the desired look after the treatment is over. The arch wire will be constantly applying pressure on the brackets and will bring the teeth in to the right positions.

The orthodontist is able to stretch your jaw so to make space for all your teeth to fit in comfortably. As a next step, the teeth will be pushed in to the appropriate spaces. He can use a “palatal expander” so as to stretch your upper jaw. Again, a “facebow” can be used to push back any teeth sticking outwards. With all these gadgets at his disposal, your orthodontist can move your teeth and jaw so as to get the perfect smile you always dreamed about.

It’s been a known fact that most people are afraid to go to the dentist to fix a bad set of teeth. You may even have a hard time taking your kid to the dentist to have his protruding upper teeth checked. A lot of people may not know this but there’s a special dentist who fixes teeth irregularities through the use of retainers or braces.

An orthodontist is a dental specialist who has the skills that are required to treat the misalignment of teeth and facial development through the use of braces and other appropriate orthodontic appliances.

We know that people with tooth problems want to avoid braces if they can. It’s a common belief that they are going to be stuck with traditional metal “railroad track” braces of the past. Modern orthodontics has offered the public many new and better choices today.

In recent years, the dental experts have given braces a new look in terms of the materials from which they are made. Today, braces have wires made of stainless steel, alloys of nickel, titanium, copper, and cobalt. Additionally, some are even heat-activated. They are made to achieve the needed pressure so that results are faster and more comfortable for patients. Apart from this, Orthodontists have made the new braces smaller and more efficient, giving you convenience as you wear them. With these wires, you have the freedom to move your teeth as you undergo phases of the treatment. This results in having fewer dental visits for adjusting your wires.
Moreover, modern braces have become less conspicuous as compared to those in which a metal band and bracket were placed around each tooth. A lot of patients prefer to have brackets bonded directly to their front teeth, to minimize the “tinsel tooth” appearance. Our orthodontists can help you choose better options such as clear, metal, or colored brackets. Some braces are bonded behind the teeth.

Invisible braces, along with other new products, are a revolutionary addition to modern orthodontic dentistry. These are called so because they’re made of clear custom-made aligners. Virtually invisible, these aligners can be removed for eating and cleaning purposes. Patients who have tried this type are happy with the results. Every time you change to the next set of aligners you actually see the progress as your teeth slowly shift into the proper alignment.

Another popular choice is the ceramic or clear braces: These have basically the same color as your tooth, clear, and made of ceramic orthodontic brackets. Attached to the front side of your teeth, the braces easily blend with your natural tooth color. Metal wires are still used in these braces but our Orthodontists can brilliantly make the wire color less noticeable.

Another new addition is the lingual braces, called so because these are fastened to the inner or the lingual side of your teeth. These are traditional braces that are barely observable. You can go through your orthodontic treatment minus the embarrassment and fear of the cosmetic impact of traditional metal braces. So now that you know the options, don’t hesitate to call us. Our orthodontists will be very happy to discuss with you which types suit you best.

Not everyone is born with gorgeous-looking teeth. If you are embarrassed about the way your teeth look, it can affect many aspects of your life. It can affect your level of self-confidence. If you don’t like the way you look it, can hinder you in social situations. You may not speak up at work or mingle at parties to talk with other guests. You may not also smile in pictures, which gives others the impression that you aren’t a happy person.

Fortunately, there are some really good ways in which you can improve your smile and the shape of your teeth. Traditional orthodontic treatment involves metal braces and wires that can be uncomfortable. They can also be embarrassing to wear for a couple of years. A better alternative may be Invisalign as it is a very effective form of orthodontic treatment for a smile makeover. We are dedicated to helping you get the smile makeover you want without discomfort or embarrassment that is often associated with braces.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a revolutionary product that can help you get the smile you have always dreamed of. It is available for children and for adults. It is a safe and effective alternative to traditional braces. In fact, most people won’t even be able to tell that you are working on improving the look of your teeth. Not attracting attention to your efforts is exactly what teenagers and adults have been looking for.

You will wear trays on your teeth that are clear. You take them out when you are eating and then you can easily slide them back in place. Your treatment will include a series of these trays that move your teeth a tiny bit at a time. Once you have successfully reached where you need to be with one set of trays, you will be moved into the next set of them. Each set of trays will be worn for approximately two weeks.

What Are the Benefits of Using Invisalign for Orthodontic Treatment?

Invisalign offers many great benefits over traditional braces. In addition to being clear so it isn’t so obvious, they are comfortable. You may feel some slight pressure as the teeth are moved around but nothing more. You won’t have any sharp wires or brackets that poke the insides of your mouth or cut open your lips like you do with braces. You also won’t have to worry about getting food stuck in them. Since you can remove this type of orthodontic treatment when you eat, there aren’t any restrictions on foods either.

Is Invisalign Right for Me?

The Invisalign form of orthodontic treatment can be used to correct many different types of dental problems. They include teeth that are crowded, teeth that have gaps between them, crossbites, overbites, and underbites. There are different circumstances for each patient so the best way to determine if Invisalign is right for you is to schedule a consultation with a qualified orthodontist that offers this type of orthodontic treatment.  However, most of the time you will find that if your dental problems can be corrected with braces they can be with Invisalign as well.

If they determine that Invisalign is a good option for your dental needs then specifics can be discussed to get your treatment started. If it isn’t a good form of treatment, then other forms of orthodontic treatment that may be more successful can be discussed. It is important to understand that, with Invisalign, it could take longer to complete your treatment than with traditional braces. Most people are fine with that though due to how easy and comfortable the entire process is.

You can contact us to schedule your free consultation. You will feel very comfortable and you will be excited about your options. All of your questions will be answered at the consultation. You will learn if the Invisalign process of straightening your teeth is a good option to move forward with or not. This can be the best way for you to forego traditional braces so take the time to look into it.

Teenagers are extremely self-conscious about their appearance. While many of them do want to have straight teeth and a great smile, they don’t want to wear traditional braces. They worry about how they will look in pictures, how it will be to kiss their dates if they have food stuck in their teeth, and another similar issue.

Invisalign is the perfect alternative for teenagers because they can perfect their teeth without any of those other issues. It is also easier for teenagers to take care of their teeth with Invisalign versus traditional braces. This is because it can be time-consuming and difficult to clean behind all of those brackets. With Invisalign though you can just remove the trays to clean your teeth. It is easier and the chance of tooth decay will significantly be reduced.

The Cost of Invisalign

Invisalign is a very affordable form of orthodontic treatment as well. More insurance companies are willing to pay for this form of treatment than in the past. If you have dental insurance find out what the specifications are for such coverage. Many orthodontists also offer very generous payment plans that fit most budgets. They may have in-house financing options that you can take advantage of as well.

The cost is between $3,000 and $5,000 in most cases. The cost will depend on many factors. Orthodontists get to set their own prices so ask during your consultation what those fees will be. The severity of the dental problems that need to be corrected will also affect the overall price that you pay. No matter what the cost though, it will all be worth it when you see your gorgeous new smile.

Where to Find Orthodontic Treatment

Contact our office to find out more about orthodontic offices that are offering Invisalign as a form of orthodontic treatment. If you are interested in it, you can do some searching around to see who in your area offers it. Take a look at advertisements in your local phone book. You can also ask your personal family dentist for a recommendation. You can be confident that we are going to help you get that gorgeous smile you want and deserve.

If you are tired of hiding your teeth from the world then now is the time to take advantage of the Invisalign process. You will love the way you look and your level of self-confidence will significantly improve.