Wearing braces on your teeth can transform your smile into what you’ve always wanted. To achieve beautiful results, you may have to experience a little discomfort and a few hiccups along the way. Here are some common problems with braces, and suggestions for handling them.
Loose bracket
If a bracket becomes loose, remove it to take with you to the orthodontist’s office. If it’s not easily removed, leave it on your tooth if it is not causing irritation. Make an appointment to have the bracket glued back in place as soon as possible.
Poking wire
There are several things you can try if a wire is poking your cheek or gums. Place a ball of wax on the wire, or cut the piece of wire that is sticking out with a nail clipper. Another option is to bend the poking wire down with a pencil eraser or other smooth object so that it no longer pokes you. See your orthodontist to have the wire properly repaired.
Poking hook
Some patients have brackets with small hooks on them to attach rubber bands. These hooks can poke or irritate your lips or cheeks. Use a pencil eraser to push the hook in, or put a ball of wax on it.
Wire missing from back brace
Hard or sticky foods are often the culprits of bending or breaking the wires on your back braces. If this occurs, use tweezers or needle nose pliers to reinsert the wire into the hole in the back brace. If that’s not possible, clip the wire to lessen the irritation. See your orthodontist as soon as possible to have the wire replaced.
Sore teeth
It is normal for your teeth to be sore at the start of treatment, when wires are changed, or when appliances are adjusted. Discomfort should go away in 24-72 hours. It may help to rinse your mouth with warm water, eat soft foods, and take over-the-counter pain relievers. Contact your orthodontist if pain persists more than a few days.
If you have been waiting your whole life to have your teeth straightened, there’s no reason to think it’s too late to have them corrected as an adult. The wait is over with Invisalign. Offering the same benefits as traditional braces as far as transforming your smile, Invisalign clear aligners also accomplish these goals without causing embarrassment or hassles. Let’s learn how Invisalign can benefit you.
Clear
The clear trays you wear during Invisalign treatment are barely visible to others. They are made of transparent plastic that allows your teeth to show as they normally would, instead of being covered with metal like traditional braces. You are able to smile and speak naturally, so others often don’t notice anything different about your teeth during treatment.
Removable
As opposed to metal brackets that are adhered to your teeth, Invisalign trays are removable. You can take them out of your mouth as you wish, making everyday activities like eating and playing sports simple and safe. You should wear the trays as much as possible to achieve the fastest straightening results, but it’s beneficial to have the option to remove them as needed.
No food limitations
There are no restrictions on the foods you can eat while undergoing Invisalign treatment. Culprits commonly known to endanger metal braces, such as popcorn and sticky candy, are acceptable for Invisalign patients because the trays will not break or become brittle.
Easy oral hygiene
Since the trays are removable, taking care of your teeth is the same as before Invisalign treatment. Simply remove the trays, perform your brushing and flossing routine, and then replace the trays when you are ready. There are no hassles of cleaning around metal brackets and wires, which is a common frustration with traditional braces.
You may not even realize it, but it’s possible that you are grinding your teeth during the day and especially while sleeping at night. Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is often a subconscious behavior which places unusual force on your teeth and jaw. It is smart to know the signs to help you recognize if you are grinding your teeth, and what to do if you do have symptoms.
What are the symptoms?
Some people may experience only one or two symptoms, and others may encounter many problems from teeth grinding. Some common signs include:
• Headaches
• Sore jaw or facial muscles
• Earaches
• Muscle tightness or pain in the morning after sleeping
• Stiff or painful shoulders
• Clicking or popping sounds when you open or close your mouth
• Difficulty opening or moving your jaw
What are the consequences?
Teeth grinding can have both short and long-term effects on your health. If you begin to experience symptoms and ignore them, the likelihood of long-term consequences rises. Your teeth may become worn down and crack, which may require more complex and costly dental treatments in the future. Also, your teeth can become overly sensitive because of nerve endings becoming exposed through wear. Pain is another outcome of teeth grinding, and sometimes temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder develops.
Is there treatment for it?
Visit your dentist if you notice symptoms, and you may be able to determine together what is causing your bruxism. This bad habit is often linked to anxiety, so limiting stress in your life as much as possible may help. If teeth grinding continues, your dentist may suggest you wear a mouth guard that helps prevent grinding movements. Counseling, physical therapy, and muscle relaxants are sometimes also recommended.
Since people are interested in looking and feeling their best, orthodontic treatment has become extremely common these days. The reasons that patients seek treatment aren’t only related to crooked teeth; bite problems are another common cause for getting help. Here are some bite issues that keep orthodontists busy.
Crossbite
When the top teeth rest on the inside of the bottom teeth instead of slightly on the outside, it’s called a crossbite. Treatment is most effective while the jawbones are still expanding, which is until about age 16 for girls and 19 for boys. If untreated, crossbite can cause problems like gum disease, chewing difficulty, and bone loss. Braces can help when only one tooth is affected by crossbite, and jaw expanders are needed when multiple teeth are involved.
Overbite
An overbite, also called buck teeth, occurs when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth. Often this condition is a result of genetics, thumb-sucking, or pencil-chewing. Thrusting the tongue against the backs of the top teeth while swallowing can also cause the teeth to protrude. Up until age 9, overbites may be treated with an appliance that aids proper development of the lower jaw. After this age, braces are required until the lower teeth meet and the upper teeth are moved appropriately.
Open bite
When the top front teeth don’t contact the bottom front teeth, it’s called an open bite. The upper and lower front teeth just don’t meet, which can be caused by genetics, thumb-sucking, and lisping. Patients must wear braces for a few months, and then surgery on the upper jaw is necessary. Correction for an open bite can take up to two years to complete.
Underbite
An underbite means that the lower front teeth extend out, and is often characterized by an undersized upper jaw and oversized lower jaw. Tongue thrusting, thumb-sucking, and nasal obstruction can contribute to an underbite. It can cause poor teeth functioning and digestive issues. An early diagnosis of an underbite is important, because treatment with headgear and braces is possible until puberty. Later treatment, however, often involves teeth extraction and surgery.
One thing that can make you a pretty unpopular person is bad breath. People will avoid being around you if you emit a stinky odor every time you open your mouth. If you don’t want to fall victim to this embarrassing problem, try the following tactics.
Brush and floss
For many reasons, you should carefully brush your teeth at least twice a day. This includes brushing your tongue and gums, where bacteria tend to build up and lead to mouth odor. Flossing should be performed daily to help get rid of food debris and plaque.
Drink water
Having a dry mouth increases bad breath, so staying hydrated is an important way to avoid odor. It is recommended to drink thirteen cups of water each day, which may be difficult to accomplish but it is a good goal to keep in mind. You can also prevent dry mouth by limiting foods and drinks known to cause dehydration, like coffee, energy drinks, and anything high in sugar or caffeine.
Chew parsley
A natural remedy for decreasing odor, chewing parsley can be helpful for stinky breath. It contains chlorophyll, which is known to fight smells and freshen breath.
Brush with oils
Peppermint oil and tea tree oil are both known to decrease halitosis, or bad breath. Placing just a couple of drops of these oils on your toothbrush can help attack the bacteria in your mouth and therefore fight mouth odor.
