THE DEFAULT IMAGE that pops into our heads when we think of braces is usually of a teenage orthodontic patient, but more and more adults are getting their teeth straightened. It's generally more ideal to get braces as a teen, but no one is too old to get a straighter smile.
Teeth Shift Over Time Even people who had braces as teens might end up needing them again, because our teeth shift constantly over the course of our lives. Enamel loss, tooth grinding, tooth loss, and something as simple as persistently mouth-breathing, leaning one's head on one's hand, or stomach-sleeping can cause shifting.
Habits Affect the Position of Teeth Good dental hygiene habits, side-sleeping and back-sleeping, and nose-breathing are all better for dental alignment, but they can't undo shifting that already happened, and that's where orthodontic treatment comes in. Teeth of any age will respond to orthodontic appliances, and adult patients have one advantage over their teen counterparts: they are more mature and better able to follow the orthodontist's extructions to the letter. That means better and timelier results!
No Need to Be a "Brace-Face" Many people who could benefit from braces avoid them because they don't want to be a fully grown adult who is a "brace-face." Luckily, clear aligners can give them the same results without a mouth full of metal. This transformation can be a secret one.
Disclaimer:the content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
HAVING A PERFECTLY STRAIGHT smile isn't just better-looking, it's healthier! Let's take a look at some of the other straight teeth benefits.
1. Straight teeth lead to better oral health. This is because they're easier to keep clean by daily brushing and flossing than teeth that are very crowded.
2. Straight teeth are less prone to grinding. Teeth that aren't aligned properly can grind against each other in ways they aren't meant to, leading to damage and erosion. It can even contribute to jaw problems.
3. In order to speak clearly, it helps to have our teeth positioned correctly. Straight teeth make lisping and other pronunciation problems less likely.
4. Possibly the most surprising benefit to straight teeth is better digestion! It can be hard to chew effectively with a bad bite or crowding issues, and that can contribute to digestive problems like acid reflux and stomach discomfort. With straight teeth, it'll be much easier to chew thoroughly, and that improvement to digestion will in turn contribute to overall health and well-being.
5. Straight teeth also contribute to improved confidence! It's easier to smile freely when not worrying about the way that smile looks.
Disclaimer: the content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
THE INITIAL CONSULTATION is when the orthodontist assesses the position of the patient’s teeth and begins planning the treatment to move them into proper alignment. The orthodontist also addresses a lot of the typical patient questions, but we can take a peek at those now. How long will the treatment take? That depends on the specific patient. Someone with some minor dental crowding will be done much more quickly than someone with a severe malocclusion and an impacted tooth, for example. How do I brush and floss around braces? Carefully! There are a lot of extra nooks and crannies where food particles and plaque can hide. Tools like a water flosser and floss threaders make it easier. What’s on the banned foods list? Lots of sticky and crunchy foods are on the banned list for braces-wearers because it’s very easy to break a bracket loose while eating them, and that can slow treatment down. What happens if something goes wrong with my braces? If a bracket breaks or an archwire snaps, orthodontic wax can help until the patient is able to come in for a repair appointment. Which treatment option is best for me? Traditional braces might be the best (or only) option for some patients while clear aligners or something else could work for others. The orthodontist will determine the most effective option. How can I finish my treatment on schedule? The most important thing any patient can do to reach Braces-Off Day on time is to follow all of the orthodontist’s instructions exactly.
Disclaimer:the content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
1 IN EVERY 8 Americans (including kids) has sensitive teeth. To understand why, we'll need to take a look at dental anatomy.
Erosion and the Layers of a Tooth Every tooth has nerves at the center. When the tooth is healthy, the nerve is protected by the outer layers. If the tooth enamel erodes enough, it can expose the porous dentin layer and subject the nerves to much more input than they're supposed to get. That tends to make temperature changes or even a sudden burst of sour or sweet flavor very uncomfortable or even painful.
Other Causes of Tooth Sensitivity Erosion is the main cause of tooth sensitivity but not the only one. Exposed roots can be very sensitive because roots rely on gum tissue to protect them, not enamel. Gum recession (which is most often caused by brushing too hard) can leave roots exposed and vulnerable. Damage to a tooth, whether through an accident or cavities, also leads to sensitivity.
Ways to Minimize Sensitivity There are several things to do for sensitive teeth. First, throw out the hard-bristled toothbrush and get a soft-bristled one. It doesn't take much pressure to clean away plaque when we brush, but too much can scrape away enamel and gum tissue. Switching to a toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth should also help, and cut back on sugar intake and very acidic foods and drinks.
The Dentist Can Help! If you're experiencing tooth sensitivity, make sure to bring it up with the dentist. Dentist can determine the cause of the problem and recommend or prescribe a toothpaste that could help or schedule any necessary treatment. Every bite of food or swallow of drink you enjoy shouldn't come at the price of a nasty jolt!
Disclaimer:the content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
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