Braces are the most common orthodontic treatment. When it comes to straightening your teeth and aligning your bite, there is no other option that can accomplish everything that braces can. If you’re considering braces for yourself or your child, you probably have some questions before you make your decision. Here are the top 10 braces questions and answers to help you decide if braces are right for you.
1. How Long Do Braces Take to Straighten Teeth?
Average length of braces treatment ranges anywhere from 1-3 years. Some patients may have braces longer than others depending on your needs. The extent of the orthodontic corrections you need is the biggest factor in how long your treatment may last.
2. How Do You Floss With Braces?
Flossing with braces can be tricky, but it isn’t so hard once you get the hang of it. You can thread the floss under the archwire between each tooth and then slide it between your teeth. You can also use a floss threader that looks like a plastic sewing needle to thread the floss under your archwire more easily.
3. Can Braces Correct an Overbite?
Braces can correct most bite misalignment types, including overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite. In rare cases a patient may need jaw surgery in order to achieve proper bite alignment.
4. Are There Clear Braces?
There are two different types of clear braces, ceramic brackets and clear aligners. Clear brackets are made of ceramic rather than metal so that they blend in with the natural color of your teeth. The archwire is still visible and made of metal. Clear aligners are made of plastic and fit over your teeth. They are essentially invisible and also removable.
5. Do Braces Hurt?
When you first get your braces put on you may experience some discomfort. This is because the teeth are being moved out of their usual position in your jaw, which can make your mouth a little sore for a few days to a week. The brackets and wires may also irritate the soft tissues of your mouth until you get used to them. Over the counter pain relievers and orthodontic wax can help with any discomfort you may feel.
6. Are There Foods You Can’t Eat With Braces?
There are some foods that you should avoid when you have traditional braces, such as gummy and chewy candy, nuts, pretzels, corn chips, pizza crust, bagels and crusty breads, and ice. If you eat these you are increasing your chances of damaging your braces.
7. What is the Best Age to Get Braces?
Every child should have an orthodontic evaluation by the age of 7. Some children will need early treatment at this age and others may not. The most common age for braces is between 11 and 14.
8. How Do I Know if I Need Braces?
To determine if braces are needed you will need an orthodontic evaluation. After a visual exam and some X-rays, your orthodontist will make a recommendation for treatment.
9. Does Dental Insurance Cover Braces?
Many dental insurance plans cover braces. Your insurance will most likely only cover a portion of the total, but it reduces your overall out of pocket cost.
10. Will I Need to Wear Retainers After Braces?
It is necessary to wear retainers after braces to maintain your results. You may need to wear them all of the time for a month or so, then you can wear them only at night.
Ready for Braces?
If you or your child may be ready for braces, schedule a consultation with Embrace Orthodontics. After a brief evaluation we can make a recommendation for the best course of treatment and answer any additional questions you may have.
There are many different ways to whiten your teeth. From products you can buy in the store to treatments provided by your dentist, the options are seemingly endless. What’s the best way to whiten your teeth?
If you guessed professional teeth whitening, you would be right. What makes professional teeth whitening better than other products? How long does professional teeth whitening last? Learn the answers to these questions and more.
What is Professional Teeth Whitening?
Professional teeth whitening is essentially prescription strength whitening treatment provided by your dentist. A rubber shield or gel is applied to the gums to protect them from irritation. Then the whitening agent is applied to the teeth and a specialized light is used to activate it and accelerate the whitening process. You can expect to see dramatic results in as little as one treatment.
Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening treatment offers many benefits:
- Effective. Professional teeth whitening is highly effective at removing stains and getting teeth multiple shades whiter in just one application.
- Fast. Professional whitening works quickly, providing dramatic results in a matter of minutes. The specialized light accelerates the whitening process for near immediate results.
- Safe. Dental grade whitening is safe on tooth enamel, preventing damage and sensitivity.
- Lasting results. Results of professional teeth whitening may last anywhere from 6 months to 3 years.
Maintaining Your Whitening Results
There are many ways to help keep your teeth looking white for as long as possible following your professional teeth whitening treatment:
- Avoid foods and beverages that stain teeth. For longer lasting results, avoid drinking coffee, tea, red wine, red grape juice, and tomato juice. Avoid foods like blueberries, blackberries, tomato sauce, soy sauce, and anything with artificial dyes.
- Brush your teeth twice a day. Brushing your teeth twice a day helps to remove food residue and plaque that can stain teeth. It also helps keep your enamel strong, which makes teeth look naturally whiter.
- Go to the dentist every 6 months for teeth cleaning. Professional teeth cleanings every 6 months can help maintain the results of your whitening treatment.
Teeth Whitening After Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatment can sometimes cause teeth to develop stains. Often the staining is uneven because of the brackets that were attached to your teeth or from wearing your Invisalign aligners. Professional teeth whitening can remove stains and enhance the appearance of your teeth following orthodontic treatment. After treatment you want your smile to look its best, and teeth whitening can help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Whitening
Can I have my teeth whitening while wearing braces?
You can have your teeth professionally whitened while wearing braces, but there are some risks associated with it. Once your brackets are removed your teeth may be a different shade underneath. This can usually be evened out with another whitening treatment. For best results it may be best to wait to whiten your teeth after your braces have been removed.
Does teeth whitening cause sensitivity?
Some people experience mild sensitivity after teeth whitening and others do not. Orthodontic treatment can also lead to sensitive teeth, so the cause may be uncertain. Using over the counter toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help to reduce sensitivity, but if symptoms persist a prescription toothpaste may help.
Why Choose Embrace Orthodontics for Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening can be done at any time, but it is especially helpful following orthodontic treatment. Embrace Orthodontics provides teeth whitening for the convenience of our patients so that your newly straightened teeth will also look clean and bright.
Braces are a common orthodontic treatment. People of all ages can get braces to straighten their teeth and align their bite. While this may be true, braces are most commonly worn during the adolescent years. About 50-70% of children will have orthodontic issues that should be corrected with braces.
When should orthodontic treatment begin? What age is best for braces? Learn the answer to these questions and more about orthodontics.
What Are Braces?
Traditional braces are made of metal, stainless steel to be exact, because it doesn’t rust or corrode with moisture. Braces consist of brackets, small square-shaped pieces that attach to the front side of each tooth. An archwire connects all of the brackets across each arch of teeth. The archwire is used to shift the teeth into proper alignment. Additional devices may be used to exert additional force on the teeth to shift them in the necessary direction, such as elastics (rubber bands).
Average Age for Braces Treatment
The average age for braces treatment is between 11 and 14. By this age most of the baby teeth have been shed and the permanent teeth have come in. In some cases children will get braces at a younger age to correct severe orthodontic issues that need to be addressed more urgently. Other orthodontic treatments, such as oral appliances, may be recommended before the child is ready for braces.
Why Are Braces Recommended in Adolescence?
The adolescent years are the best time for braces because of the following reasons:
- Primary teeth are shed. For braces to be effective, it is best if the majority of the primary (baby) teeth have been shed, which typically happens by the age of 11 or 12.
- Permanent teeth have come in. Braces treatment is also more effective if the majority of the permanent teeth are fully in place, which is usually the case by the age of 12 or 13.
- Growth spurts. Adolescence is a time of significant growth spurts, during which the bones are more malleable. This makes it easier to shift the teeth and adjust the shape of the jaw during orthodontic treatment.
When Should My Child Have an Orthodontic Evaluation?
The American Academy of Orthodontics recommends that children have an orthodontic evaluation by the age of 7. Most children will not need braces yet at this age, or any treatment at all necessarily. But some children will need early treatment, otherwise known as interceptive orthodontics. Early orthodontic treatment, such as palate expanders, can pave the way for future treatment by modifying the jaw and encouraging ideal growth. The duration of future treatment may be shorter and less complex for children who had interceptive orthodontics.
Frequently Asked Questions About Braces
How long do braces take to straighten your teeth?
The average duration of braces treatment is 1-3 years. Most adolescents will complete treatment in 2 years or less. Adult treatment often takes longer, closer to the 3 year end of the spectrum.
Are braces effective for everyone?
Braces are the most versatile orthodontic treatment. The majority of patients will be able to achieve the necessary results with braces alone. In rare cases a patient may need additional treatment, such as maxillofacial (jaw) surgery.
Schedule an Orthodontic Evaluation Today
If your child is 7 years old or older, it is time for an orthodontic evaluation at Embrace Orthodontics. This involves a visual assessment of the teeth as well as some X-rays to evaluate the teeth and jaw structure underneath the gums. If no immediate treatment is needed, regular assessments will be scheduled every 6 months to monitor progress until the time is right to begin treatment.
Do you want whiter teeth? A bright white smile can improve your appearance and increase your confidence. Teeth gradually develop a yellow tint over time due to a variety of reasons from the foods and beverages you consume to the natural aging process. Orthodontic treatment can cause teeth to develop stains and uneven coloring.
What’s the best way to whiten your teeth? How does teeth whitening work in a dental office? Here’s what you need to know.
What is Professional Teeth Whitening?
Professional teeth whitening refers to whitening treatments provided by your dentist, orthodontist, or other dental specialist. These are essentially prescription strength whitening treatments because they contain stronger ingredients than the whitening products you can buy in the store.
The Teeth Whitening Process
In-office teeth whitening treatment is applied in one appointment. A rubber shield or a protective gel is applied to your gums to protect them from irritation from the whitening agent. The whitening treatment is applied to the teeth and activated using a special light that accelerates the whitening process. Once your teeth have reached the desired shade, your treatment is complete.
Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening Treatment
Professional teeth whitening treatment provided by a dental office offers many benefits over store bought products:
- Natural appearance. Professional in-office treatment is carefully controlled to achieve the exact shade of white you want for your teeth for a natural look.
- Safe on tooth enamel. The active ingredient in professional teeth whitening is safe on tooth enamel and reduces the risk of sensitivity.
- No soft tissue irritation. In-office treatments include protection for your gums to prevent irritation to the soft tissues of your mouth.
- Effective results. Professional teeth whitening offers dramatic results that are shades whiter than the results of store bought whitening products.
- Longer lasting results. The results of professional teeth whitening can last anywhere from 1-3 years, which is significantly longer than the results of store bought products, but it does heavily rely on your staining habits.
- Save money. Although professional whitening products are priced higher than the whitening products found in stores, the effectiveness and longevity of your results prevent you from having to purchase more store products, which saves you money.
- Fast results. In-office whitening provides results in a single treatment, saving you the time you would have spent at home applying store bought whitening products.
Why Do You Need Whitening After Orthodontic Treatment?
Sometimes orthodontic treatment, such as braces that remain on your teeth for up to 3 years, can cause discoloration and uneven staining of the teeth. The foods and beverages you consume may stain your teeth so that when your braces are removed, there is a noticeable difference in the shade of your teeth in the location of the brackets.
Another reason teeth may need to be whitened after orthodontic treatment is that it is common for plaque to build up on the teeth around braces. It is more difficult to brush and floss with braces, which often means that teeth become stained.
Once your braces are removed you’ll have a new and improved smile. Whitening treatment can make it look even better so that you’re proud to show off your dazzling smile.
Embrace Orthodontics Provides Teeth Whitening Treatment
If your teeth are looking dull or stained after orthodontic treatment, Embrace Orthodontics provides teeth whitening treatment that can remove stains and brighten your smile. Our goal is to give you a better looking smile in every way possible, and whiter teeth are a positive addition to your straightened smile.
Call 518-439-9339 or contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.
Brushing your teeth with traditional braces can prove challenging. However, you can’t neglect this oral hygiene task simply because you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Luckily, brushing with braces need not be as difficult as it may seem. The following guide will help you brush thoroughly despite braces complicating the process. For more information, discuss this topic with your orthodontist or dentist during your next appointment. Depending on the severity of a misalignment, you might even be a candidate for an alternative treatment method, such as clear aligners.
Effectively Brushing Your Teeth With Braces: What You Need to Know
If you have braces, brushing your teeth should involve the following steps:
Rinsing
Rinse your mouth out with water or mouthwash before brushing. Doing so is a simple but often surprisingly effective way to remove loose food particles. In fact, it’s wise to rinse your braces every time you eat, even if you’re not able to follow up with brushing at that moment.
Brush the Gum Line
Begin brushing with the gum line. Use a 45-degree angle, and don’t apply excessive pressure, as doing so can cause irritation.
Brush the Brackets
Brushing when you have braces may take slightly longer than brushing without them. When you have braces, it’s important to thoroughly and carefully brush each bracket to ensure you’ve removed as much debris as possible.
Exercise care during this step! If you apply too much force or move too quickly from one bracket to another, you risk potentially damaging the wires or other such components of your braces.
Adjusting to this step of the brushing process may take some time. However, if you focus on thoroughly and carefully cleaning your brackets one by one, soon you’ll find the task comes as naturally to you as brushing always did.
Floss With a Waterpik
Flossing is a critical step in the oral hygiene process. By flossing, you remove particles and debris that your toothbrush may have been unable to reach.
However, traditional dental floss could theoretically damage your braces. Instead, consider flossing with a waterpik.
As the name implies, this device uses a thin stream of water in place of dental floss. It’s an effective way to clean hard-to-reach spots without risk.
Additional Dental Hygiene Tips for Patients With Braces
Other ways you may optimize your dental and oral health when you have braces include:
- Try to avoid eating sticky foods that could get caught in your braces. An orthodontist can provide you with more information about foods to avoid during treatment.
- Wear a mouthguard to protect your braces if you play sports.
- Brush both the top and bottom of your brackets for more ideal results.
- Use a toothbrush with soft bristles, as harder bristles run the risk of damaging your braces.
Again, what’s most important is that you do not neglect brushing and flossing simply because properly doing so with braces may require making adjustments. If you’re having any trouble with these tasks, your orthodontist can answer your questions, helping you master the necessary techniques.
Learn More About Getting Braces in Delmar, NY
At Embrace Orthodontics, our goal is to ensure our patients feel thoroughly comfortable with their treatment and overall oral health when we equip them with braces. Find out what we can do for you by contacting us online today or calling us at 518-439-9339 to request an appointment.
Braces are an orthodontic treatment that straightens your teeth and aligns your bite. There are a wide range of orthodontic issues that vary from person to person, and braces can treat most of them. It is common to have crowded or crooked teeth on the bottom, but not on the top.
Does this mean you only need braces on your bottom teeth? Can you get braces on just your bottom teeth and not the top? Here’s what orthodontists recommend.
What Are Braces?
Braces are an orthodontic treatment consisting of metal or ceramic brackets that attach to the front side of your teeth. The brackets are small and square-shaped with spaces to attach to an archwire. The archwire connects all of the brackets on each row of teeth and shifts them into proper alignment. Rubber bands are sometimes used to correct bite misalignment by connecting brackets on the top row to brackets on the bottom row.
Am I a Candidate for Single Arch Braces?
In rare cases someone may only need braces on the top or the bottom and not both. This is more common in early orthodontic treatment and will often require you to get braces on all of your teeth later on to complete your treatment. An orthodontic evaluation will determine what corrections need to be made and the best way to treat them.
What Problems May Occur With Just Bottom Row Braces?
One of the main purposes of orthodontic treatment is bite alignment. The potential problem with getting braces on just the bottom or just the top teeth, is that the teeth may not meet together properly when you bite down once treatment is complete.
For example, straightening out the bottom teeth to relieve crowding could cause the bottom row of teeth to extend out further than the top row of teeth, resulting in an underbite. Straightening out the top teeth could have the opposite effect, creating a severe overbite.
Without braces on both the top and bottom teeth, it is difficult to ensure that the bite aligns properly, which is one of the most important aspects of orthodontic treatment. Proper bite alignment keeps the teeth and jaw healthy, helping you avoid damage to your teeth and TMJ symptoms.
Looking For a Less Noticeable Treatment Option?
In many cases the reason patients consider bottom braces only is that they are less noticeable on the bottom. If the main concern is appearance, there are other orthodontic treatment options that are more discreet. Clear aligner systems are designed to be discreet, using clear plastic trays that fit over the teeth and are virtually invisible. The aligners gently shift the teeth into proper alignment, also helping the top and bottom teeth meet together as they should.
Ask an Orthodontist
If you want to find the right orthodontic treatment for you, Embrace Orthodontics can perform an evaluation to assess your needs. We provide a wide variety of orthodontic services including metal braces, clear braces, Invisalign, and other clear aligner systems. During your initial consultation you will have the opportunity to ask questions and find out everything you need to know before starting treatment.
Call 518-439-9339 or contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.
The desire for a whiter smile is practically universal. No matter what caused the stain, you might wonder how long it will take to eliminate them and whiten your teeth once and for all. Here’s what you can expect when you begin your journey to a pearly-white smile.
What Causes Teeth to Discolor?
There are many culprits that can cause teeth to discolor. Some may be out of your control, while others might be attributed to lifestyle and dietary decisions that you may wish to change if you’re especially concerned about the color of your teeth.
Medication
Sometimes, you may need to take prescription medication to treat a specific health concern. While such medicines are invaluable, they may have an unfortunate side effect of causing teeth to yellow.
- Tetracycline: This broad-spectrum antibiotic is often used to treat acne. Doctors typically won’t prescribe it if you’re pregnant, as the medicine could affect the look of your child’s teeth in the future.
- Antihistamines: If you take medication for allergic symptoms like runny nose, congestion, and itchiness, you might discover that your teeth look a little yellower with time. That’s because the antihistamine could suppress your body’s ability to make saliva, which is essential for cutting through stains and clearing away bacteria.
- Hypertension medicine: Medications used to lower blood pressure can be life-saving but have side effects, including teeth discoloration due to saliva loss. Common medicines that have this effect include angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta-blockers, diuretics, and calcium channel blockers. Dry mouth is a common side effect, too.
Smoking
Smoking affects your overall health, but it can have a more visible effect on the appearance of the teeth and, over time, the condition of your teeth and gums. It’s been linked to conditions like gum disease and even mouth cancer.
The ingredients responsible for staining the teeth are tar and nicotine, both of which can lead to fairly rapid discoloration. Tar adheres to the teeth, causing them to take on a yellow or brown color. Nicotine is colorless, but it can cause marks to develop on the teeth the more that you smoke.
The stains may seem merely cosmetic at first, but they can actually have a long-term effect on your dental health. The stains can slowly cause your enamel to break down, leaving the soft dentin layer inside your teeth exposed. The dentin layer is yellow, causing teeth to appear more discolored. More importantly, exposed dentin can lead to severe sensitivity and issues like receding gums and cracks.
Stains can even damage your gums over time, as the chemicals in the cigarettes that adhere to your teeth can cause slow deterioration of the tissues in your mouth. Left untreated, gum diseases can have serious consequences, like tooth and bone loss.
Beverages
Millions of people drink coffee, tea, and wine — which means millions are at risk of developing discoloration due to these beverages. It’s a common concern that can develop if you consume anything that contains tannins, which have acids that break down the enamel on your teeth and cause stains to form.
Some foods are also to blame, like berries, curries, and beetroot. Condiments like soy sauce, tomato sauce, and balsamic vinegar can also cause teeth to discolor over time.
How Long Does It Take to Whiten Teeth?
Whitening depends largely on the level of discoloration, what caused it, and your desired shade of whiteness. Yellowing related to smoking, for example, may take some more time to treat than stains that occur as a result of coffee consumption.
The good news is that your dentist will perform a complete examination and assessment, so you’ll have a good idea about how long the entire whitening process will take. Often, dentists can whiten teeth by two to three shades in an hour.
The process involves using a hydrogen peroxide-based bleach that is specifically tailored to your unique needs. This is more effective than using over-the-counter products, which may cause sensitivity or not be effective enough to cut through deeper-set stains on the teeth.
Once you achieve the desired results, you can expect them to last for several months — but in some cases, your teeth may retain your preferred whiteness level for several years. The more care that you give to brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist regularly, as well as limiting stain-causing beverages and habits, you can prolong the results of your smile makeover.
Teeth Whitening at Embrace Orthodontics
If you’re concerned about discolored teeth, explore the options available to you at Embrace Orthodontics. Dr. Palermo and his friendly team are proud to offer proprietary teeth whitening, created to give you the smile of your dreams using a peroxide-based solution that produces lasting results. Visit our website to learn more, and call 518-439-9339 to schedule an appointment.
While any general dentist can receive training and offer clear aligners, seeing an orthodontist for this treatment is the wisest choice. Orthodontists spend years studying how the teeth, jaw, and facial tissues move when receiving treatment.
How Clear Aligners Work
Clear aligners consist of a graduated set of medical-grade plastic trays custom-made for your teeth. Each set of trays moves your teeth using even, gentle pressure. You will wear them 22-24 hours daily, removing them only to brush, floss, eat, and drink.
Your orthodontist will direct you to change aligners every one to two weeks. As you progress through the series of aligners, you will notice your teeth gradually shifting and your smile transforming. While no one has to know you are using clear aligners to straighten your teeth, they may notice your new smile taking shape.
Advantages of Clear Aligners
Comfortable
Clear aligners have no sharp edges or metal to irritate your sensitive oral tissues. After you become accustomed to wearing your aligners, they will feel natural.
Discreet
Busy adults and older teens appreciate the discretion of clear aligners. They do not attract unwanted attention like traditional braces.
Faster Than Braces
Clear aligners take about 12 to 18 months to straighten your teeth, while braces can take up to three years.
Better Oral Health
Many patients find cleaning around braces difficult. Clear aligners come out for brushing and flossing, making the process easier. Since you can keep your teeth cleaner with clear aligners, you will have a lower risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
No Food Restrictions
Many foods are off-limits for people with braces. Since clear aligners come out when you eat, you can eat what you like as long as you thoroughly clean your teeth before replacing the aligners.
Benefits of Receiving Clear Aligners From an Orthodontist
Orthodontists have a deeper understanding of how and why teeth need to move to ensure optimal oral health. If complications arise, orthodontists are better equipped to handle them.
Orthodontists have better design skills than general dentists. Rather than simply following instructions, they can carefully plan your clear aligners treatment for the best results. Many orthodontists offer multiple brands and types of clear aligners to meet your needs best rather than being tied to one brand.
Orthodontists have more experience with clear aligners than general dentists, who spend most of their time on other treatments.
Call Embrace Orthodontics
Any general dentist can take a course and receive training in clear aligners, but an orthodontist will provide the greatest chance for successful treatment.
If you are interested in clear aligners, give yourself an advantage by choosing an orthodontist as your treatment provider. Call our Delmar, NY, office at 518-439-9339 to schedule a consultation and meet with one of our orthodontists to discuss your goals.
If your teeth are not as white as they could be, you may be interested in professional teeth whitening. Many orthodontic patients want to finish their treatment with teeth whitening to complete the look of their new smile.
Here are three options for whitening your teeth:
1. Chairside Teeth Whitening
For our patients, we offer a proprietary teeth whitening system tailored to the needs of orthodontic patients.Unlike other in-office teeth whitening systems, we can create stunning results without the excess sensitivity that can occur from using other products.
2. Over-The-Counter
The second option and least preferred is over-the-counter whitening. Toothpaste, rinses, and strips purchased in pharmacies or grocery stores are mostly safe but may not be nearly as effective as professional whitening. In addition, with repeated use, they may produce severe tooth sensitivity.
Use items purchased online with extreme caution. The peroxide level in these gels may be much higher than in other over-the-counter preparations. They can cause excess tooth dehydration, sensitivity, and even burn your gums.
How Professional Teeth Whitening Works
Teeth whitening starts with an exam and evaluation. Your dentist will help you decide which level of whitening looks best on you.
Next, the dentist protects your lips and gums from the strong whitening gel. They may use a plastic lip retractor to keep your lips out of the way. The dentist covers the gums around the teeth to be whitened with a protective gel, then hardens the gel with a light. This gel will keep your gums safe during the bleaching process.
Teeth whitening gels use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Peroxide penetrates the enamel and breaks up stains in a process called oxidation.
The dentist typically repeats the gel application several times during one appointment. Each round of gel will produce brighter results.
After treatment, the dentist may apply another gel that reduces tooth sensitivity.
Teeth Whitening Recommendations
If you need bonding, implants, or crowns, consider whitening your teeth before receiving these treatments. Since they are artificial materials, these restorations do not respond to whitening gels. If you get your teeth whitened first, your dentist will be able to match your new restorations to your brightened smile.
How to Preserve Your New Smile
Most people understand you should avoid darkly pigmented food and beverages after whitening your teeth. You should also steer clear of overly sweet or acidic foods and drinks.
Smoking causes tooth stains, so if you smoke, consider quitting before whitening your teeth. These lifestyle changes can preserve your beautiful new smile as long as possible.
Call Embrace Orthodontics
Call our Delmar, NY, office at 518-439-9339 if you are interested in our unique teeth whitening system. We can help you decide which whitening options are right for you.
Getting braces means making a few changes to your regular habits. You may have to eat a little differently and learn some new techniques for keeping your teeth clean. Brushing and flossing is very important while you have braces, because braces tend to trap food and increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
The good news is that braces are not permanent. You may only wear them for a couple of years or less. But during your active treatment period, you may need a few extra tools to brush and floss effectively. Here’s a guide to dental hygiene with braces to help you keep your teeth and mouth healthy during your orthodontic treatment.
Brushing Tips and Tools
You may be able to effectively brush your teeth with a regular toothbrush, but it can help to have some different shaped brushes. Your orthodontist will provide you with these tools when you first get your braces put on to help you get started.
- When brushing, it helps to angle your brush so that the bristles reach the area between your brackets and your gums. This is the area that is most likely to develop plaque from food that gets stuck to your braces.
- Use a smaller brush with a round head to clean food out from under the archwire and around your brackets.
Flossing Tips and Tools
Flossing can be a little more difficult when you have braces because the archwire prevents the floss from reaching the gums. Here are some tips and tools to help make flossing with braces easier.
- Floss threader. A special tool can make it easier to get the floss under your archwire. It looks like a sewing needle, but it is made out of plastic and is larger. You thread the floss through the eye of the plastic needle and use the pointed end to get the floss under your archwire. Then you gently wedge the floss between your teeth, making sure to curve the floss around each tooth to reach the pocket between the tooth and gums.
- Orthodontic flossers. You have probably seen or used the plastic flossers with a string of floss stretched across a u-shaped piece of plastic. Orthodontic flossers are made with a narrow head that makes it easier to get the floss under your archwire.
- Superfloss. Superfloss is made with a reinforced plastic end, similar to a shoestring. This end works in place of a floss threader to make it easier to thread the floss under your archwire.
How Important is Flossing When You Have Braces?
It is common to skip flossing with braces because it is a little inconvenient. However, while you have braces you are at a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease due to the excess food that becomes trapped by your braces.
Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gum tissue. It is caused by plaque, a sticky film made of food residue and bacteria, that clings to the teeth. When plaque is not removed by brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings, it hardens into calculus and is more likely to infect the gums. Flossing is one of the best ways to prevent gum disease, along with brushing.
Braces Care Tips From Embrace Orthodontics
Whether you need braces, you’ve just had braces put on, or you’re already into your treatment, braces care is important. The purpose of orthodontic treatment is to improve your dental health, but if you don’t take proper care of your teeth while you’re in braces, the opposite can occur. Learn more about dental hygiene during braces treatment from Embrace Orthodontics.
Call 518-439-9339 or contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.
