Did you know healthy teeth and gums can help maintain good general health? A healthy smile will mean you look your very best, and your risk of developing certain diseases or health issues may decrease. If you’d like to have great oral health and a gorgeous smile, read the following hints:
Ask about Sedation Dentistry
Many people feel too anxious or nervous to regularly visit a dentist. This could be due to a previous bad experience, a strong gag reflex or a reaction to the sights and smells in a dental office. Sedation dentistry provides numerous options to keep you comfortable during treatment, including nitrous oxide, oral sedation and intravenous sedation.
Don’t put up with Pain
Quite often people will put up with facial pain caused by TMD. This is a disorder affecting the jaw joints, and can occur if the jaw is misaligned. Your dentist in Reno can examine your teeth and jaws, and if necessary will provide treatment to resolve this issue.
Invest in a Mouthguard
If you like to play sports, invest in a custom made mouth guard. Popular activities such as soccer, football and baseball can all cause facial injuries. Even non-contact spots such as horse riding and gymnastics can result in damage to the teeth, jaws and face. If you clench and grind at night, ask your dentist about a night guard to protect your teeth from cracking and breaking.
Look After Your Teeth at Home
Twice daily brushing and once-a-day flossing are essential to maintain oral health. These habits help remove plaque before it can harden into tarter.
Book Regular Appointments
Schedule regular appointments with your dentist in Reno, and book a professional cleaning at the same time. This is essential, even if your teeth and gums appear healthy. Regular checkups help pick up any problems before they cause unpleasant symptoms such as toothache, and when they are much cheaper and easier to treat.
If you need an orthodontist and you live in the Sherman Oaks California area, contact our dental office.
Orthodontic treatment isn’t a decision that most people take lightly. It can be a process that takes up to a couple of years, so you want to be certain that you know all you can about it before beginning that journey. It is normal to have many questions about your specific treatment plan, so having an orthodontic consultation is necessary to help you decide whether to pursue treatment. It’s helpful to be prepared for the consultation so you can get all of your questions answered.
Some common questions that you may want to ask at your orthodontic consultation include:
- What kinds of problems will my treatment address?
- How long do you think I will need to wear braces?
- Will I need any other appliances or procedures?
- How often do I need to come in for checkups?
- What about keeping my braces and teeth clean?
- Do I have to avoid certain foods?
- How much pain should I expect, and how can I minimize discomfort?
- Can I still play sports?
- Can I play my musical instrument?
- What about cost and payment options?
Getting answers to those questions should help you as you decide whether orthodontic treatment is right for you. If you think of additional issues, don’t hesitate to call the orthodontist and ask. The staff is there to help you through each step of the process. Once you have all of the information you need and feel confident in the orthodontist team, you can decide if changing your smile through orthodontics is the way to go.
Visit our orthodontic office if you live in the Sherman Oaks, CA area. Dr. Fotovat has treated patients for over 15 years.
You have probably heard about the popular new way to straighten teeth called Invisalign. It involves wearing clear plastic aligning trays that are practically invisible. Teens don’t have to feel the humiliation of metal wires with food clinging to the brackets. Adults can avoid the embarrassment of wearing a metal smile to meetings or social events. Invisalign braces are more comfortable, less noticeable, easier to clean, removable, and other benefits compared to traditional braces. However, there are a few things to consider when you choose Invisalign treatment.
You may become more selective about meals when you have Invisalign braces. Even though the aligners are removable, you may avoid doing it in front of others. Also, the more time you have the aligners off the less effective treatment becomes.
Snacking is another thing that may be more of a hassle than it’s worth. Some patients choose to cut way down on snacks instead of removing the aligners. This can be disappointing to those who habitually enjoy snacking throughout the day. On the other hand, lowered food intake can mean a way to get in shape.
Brushing is another consideration with Invisalign. If you aren’t in the habit of regularly brushing, you will want to commit to keeping up with it. You never want to insert your aligners into a dirty mouth, because food particles that remain in your teeth can lead to decay. Also, brushing helps freshen breath. Bad breath is an extra hazard when wearing Invisalign because the plastic aligners tend to make your mouth dry, which in turns causes bad breath.
A dry mouth also means that you will want to increase your intake of fluids like water. This is no problem for patients who drink lots of water throughout the day, but those who aren’t used to that may need to develop the habit of having a glass nearby.
All of these are simple changes you might need to make about your lifestyle if you are getting Invisalign braces. They are probably things you can grow accustomed to in order to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.
An orthodontist for Invisalign can be a better option than a general dentist.
Advances in technology benefit most aspects of healthcare, and orthodontics is no exception. Patients are able to experience the many advantages that modern improvements offer as they seek to enhance their smiles.
One of the first things you might notice upon receiving an orthodontic consultation is that X-rays are not the same as they used to be. Digital X-rays and cone beam CT scanners are often used for examination and diagnosis, providing very detailed views to allow for more accurate results. These technologies give orthodontists the best tools to create a customized treatment plan for each patient.
There have never been so many choices in braces as there are today, with many ways to improve smiles without the same issues as traditional methods. Here are some examples:
- Self-litigating braces are more comfortable than traditional types. A slide is used to allow wire placement inside when it is open, and when it is closed the wire glides easily. This self-litigating action reduces pressure and places effective force on the teeth for movement.
- Clear brackets are nearly invisible to others, and resist stains or discoloration.
- Invisalign clear braces consist of a series of plastic aligners that gently move teeth by applying constant pressure. They are comfortable, practically invisible, and removable for eating and cleaning. Invisalign has advanced even since its fairly recent introduction by introducing SmartTrack technology, which created a more elastic aligner that fits tightly and better controls tooth movement.
- Invisalign G5 has been developed for patients who have a specific bite problem that did not respond well to regular Invisalign treatment. Patients with these types of severe overbites are now candidates for Invisalign.
- In the past, headgear was the main option for patients with overbites. Now the advent of Forsus springs allows patients with traditional braces to have jaw repositioning done with springs attached to braces instead of unsightly and uncomfortable headgear.
These are just a few of the advances in orthodontics that help patients achieve that perfect smile. As technologies develop, it becomes even easier to get the treatment just right for you.
A new way to straighten teeth has been introduced with Invisalign clear braces. As you wear the invisible plastic aligners, your teeth are gently shifted into better positions and you avoid many of the hassles associated with traditional braces.
Treatment begins with a consultation with Sherman Oaks orthodontist, Dr. Fotovat who has been trained and recognized to provide Invisalign braces. A thorough analysis of your teeth and jaw, as well as your smile goals, will be done to determine if Invisalign is right for you. If so, a treatment plan will be customized just for you after X-rays and impressions of your mouth are taken. The process also uses 3D images to create a computer simulation of your treatment.
Using the exact measurements taken of your mouth, a set of aligners will be made from clear plastic. Invisalign treatment advances in stages, with a different set of aligners worn every two weeks. They should be worn consistently for about twenty hours daily, but are removable for eating and cleaning. Maintenance is simple because the aligners can be gently brushed along with your normal brushing routine.
There are no restrictions about foods to avoid when undergoing Invisalign treatment, since the aligners are removed while eating. You also don’t have to worry about food getting stuck in the braces like with metal braces, and because food doesn’t contact the aligners there are no worries about stains. Invisalign braces can be worn while playing instruments or sports, although they should not be considered a substitute for a protective mouth guard.
Visits to the orthodontist are usually required every six months or so to monitor treatment and ensure ideal results. The amount of time it takes to achieve your smile goals depends on each patient and how consistently the aligners are worn, but treatment often lasts about a year.
Being a teenager can be hard work, as they often have to cope with the stresses of school and exams and numerous extracurricular activities. This can be a hectic time and it’s easy for good oral care to fall by the wayside. Encouraging your teenager to take proper care of their teeth and gums will help ensure they enjoy a lifetime of good oral health.
- Encourage your teen to brush at least twice a day, preferably after each meal. Gently remind them about the importance of flossing to help remove plaque and maintain healthy gums.
- Discuss the consequences of poor oral hygiene which can include bad breath, stained teeth, cavities, gum disease and even tooth loss.
- Make sure they have everything they need to brush and floss. It can help to buy an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer, and don’t forget to make sure they frequently change their brush. Purchase a brand of fluoride toothpaste they enjoy using, and make sure they have plenty of floss. If they can’t get on with floss, ask your orthodontist in Sherman Oaks about alternative tools such as interdental brushes or soft picks.
- Book regular checkups for your teenager. This will make sure your dentist can detect any problems early on when they are far easier to put right.
- If your teenager wears braces, make sure they have everything needed to keep them clean. This may include floss threaders or other specialist tools such as a WaterPik. Ensure they attend all appointments for adjustments so treatment isn’t delayed.
- Your orthodontist in Sherman Oaks, CA can supply custom-made mouth guards for teens keen on sports. This oral appliance protects the teeth, jaws, gums and lips against injury.
- Try to have plenty of healthy snacks on hand, such as fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy items, for example cheese and yogurt. Encourage them to only eat junk food as an occasional treat.
- Lead by example. Make sure you look after your own teeth and gums, and attend regular checkups and professional cleanings.
Dr. Fotovat offers Invisalign Teen for patients in the Sherman Oaks California area.
