If you’re hesitant to get braces because of how they affect your appearance, you might want to consider that even celebrities wear braces to perfect their smiles! There’s nothing wrong with getting orthodontic treatment in an effort to align your teeth, straighten your smile, and dazzle those around you with the beautiful results.
Who are some of the rich and famous who have worn braces to improve the appearance and function of their teeth? Some celebrities who have worn braces over the years include Tom Cruise, Nicholas Cage, Gwen Stefani, Danny Glover, and Dakota Fanning. Note that a number of celebrities opted for adult braces, such as Tom Cruise at age 39, Eva Longoria at age 36, and Katherine Heigl at age 28. Emma Watson, Dakota Fanning, and Drew Barrymore are all examples of celebrities who wore braces during their teen years.
It may surprise you that celebrities are willing to be seen with a mouthful of braces. It stands to reason that they must believe it’s worse to smile with crooked teeth. The good news is that, whether you’re a celebrity or not, you have several less noticeable options for braces today. Lingual braces fastened to the backs of teeth, clear brackets, and Invisalign clear removable trays are all practical solutions to conceal braces while undergoing treatment.
So if you’re longing for a Hollywood smile, take a cue from celebrities and consider orthodontics to enhance your smile and improve your self esteem. If they can do it, so can you!
Most orthodontists recommend that you take your child for their first visit around age seven. That may seem early since your child is still losing baby teeth, but many conditions can be identified by this age. Early treatment may be helpful in preventing worse problems later. Here are some things that an orthodontist will look for in your child, with the goal of making their smile as beautiful as possible in the end.
Tooth loss and eruption
Because teeth should usually be lost in a certain order, changes from this pattern may point to developmental issues. The same thing goes for tooth eruption, so your orthodontist will watch to make sure teeth are coming in appropriately. If there are more or less teeth than expected, your child may have issues with crowding, extra, or missing teeth. Your orthodontist might suggest removing a baby tooth early or holding an empty space where a tooth came out so that the rest of the teeth will fit correctly.
Alignment
Crooked teeth are more likely to wear unevenly, and the gums may also be damaged. Even though teeth can be aligned later, it’s often best to begin correction before teeth and gums are harmed. Also, your child’s self-esteem may benefit by having teeth that aren’t so noticeably misaligned.
Spacing and crowding
It’s possible by age seven to determine if your child’s teeth are excessively crowded or spaced. Gaps can result from early tooth loss, undeveloped teeth, or small teeth. Crowding may require tooth extraction or arch expansion to make room for all of your child’s teeth.
Bites
The severity of bite issues can be reduced by orthodontic treatment at an age as young as seven. Even though permanent correction might not be achieved until growth is complete, there are actions that can be taken while your child is still growing. This is true for all kinds of bite problems, including overbites, underbites, and crossbites.
A smile can say so many things, from expressing feelings like joy to love to laughter. When you’re unhappy with your smile, however, it can mask your feelings if you’re unwilling to express yourself in that way. The good news is that modern dentistry can transform your smile into one that’s dazzling and beautiful, that you can be proud to show off. Dentists no longer just deal with tooth decay and root canals, but they can perform entire smile makeovers.
What is a smile makeover?
A smile makeover means creating a brand new smile for you. It’s similar to going to your hairstylist or makeup artist, who both can alter your appearance to meet your desires. Having your dentist alter your smile may be more time-consuming than those examples, but the results will likely be dramatic and amazing.
What are some smile makeover techniques?
• Teeth whitening – if your teeth are stained or discolored, the first place to start is with teeth whitening. Your dentist can offer tips about a variety of whitening possibilities and the one that might work best for you.
• Veneers – tooth-colored porcelain veneers may be bonded to the front of your teeth to improve their appearance. Veneers can change the shape and color of your teeth that can create a perfect smile and more youthful appearance.
• Gum contouring – if your gums are either too high or too low on your teeth, gum contouring can even out your gum lines. This corrects the appearance that your teeth are too long due to receding gums, or the look that your teeth are too small because your gums are covering more of your teeth than they should.
How do I begin the smile makeover process?
The first step is to see your dentist to discuss your desires and which dental treatments might help you achieve a winning smile. Many improvements are possible with modern technology and equipment, so it’s just a matter of working with your dentist to create your new smile.
Teenagers are known for being busy and distracted, rushing from one thing to another. They often neglect things that they don’t realize are important parts of keeping healthy. One of the aspects of their lives that teens don’t make time for is properly taking care of their teeth. Here are some ways to help keep your teen’s mouth in good shape.
Brushing and flossing
The best way for your teen to avoid cavities is to brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, and floss once a day. Even though teenagers find it tempting to skip these dental hygiene steps, the payoff of having a mouth full of healthy and sparkling teeth will be worth it.
Nutritious diet
Cutting down on sugary foods and drinks is another way to protect teeth. Teens often grab quick snacks on the run, and are inclined to reach for items that don’t have much nutritional value. Try to keep a supply of foods that appeal to your teen without endangering their oral health.
Sealants
Dental sealants are a plastic coating that a dentist applies to teeth to create a barrier that protects teeth from developing cavities. They are usually applied to chewing surfaces of back teeth and to grooves in teeth. It’s a quick and easy process that can provide additional protection against tooth decay.
Mouth guards
Teens who are involved in sports or activities like skateboarding should wear a mouth guard to protect their teeth against injury. They are the best way to avoid broken or knocked out teeth, and also to protect the mouth and face from harm. Your dentist can recommend the best type of mouth guard for your teenager.
If you have a job that entails interacting with other people, you know that the kind of impression you have on others makes a difference. That’s why you’ve probably learned to wear appropriate, attractive clothes and come prepared to perform your job. But have you thought about what kind of impression you might be making with your breath? No one wants to do business with someone who has stinky breath. Here are some steps you can take to ensure that your breath doesn’t negatively impact your job.
Find the cause
If you often have problems with a stinky smell coming from your mouth, look for what might be causing it. There are a variety of things that commonly cause bad breath. It may be the food you eat, throat problems, or medical issues. Most often, however, it’s due to poor oral hygiene.
Clean your mouth
The most obvious remedy to try first is cleaning your teeth and mouth. Brush your teeth carefully, and use a tongue cleaner to thoroughly cleanse your tongue. Do not neglect flossing your teeth, because food stuck between your teeth can really cause unpleasant breath. Gargling with mouthwash may also help, or even gargling with hydrogen peroxide because it can attack bacteria in your mouth.
Watch what you eat
Some foods are known to trigger bad breath. Stay away from onions, garlic, and fish if you want to avoid stinky breath. Drinking alcohol dries your mouth, which can also contribute to mouth odor.
See your dentist
If you still battle stinky breath after trying these techniques, see your dentist for a checkup. A professional can treat cavities or gum disease which might be causing your mouth odor, as well as look for more serious medical problems like diabetes or liver disease that can be related to bad breath.
It may be a surprise to some parents to see 7-year-olds with braces on their teeth already, but it’s becoming more common in today’s orthodontic world. Traditionally, treatment with braces began after most baby teeth were lost, and the majority of adult teeth have developed. Newer theories have led to putting braces on baby teeth so that orthodontists can manage jaw development and positioning of adult teeth. This has created a two-phase approach to orthodontics, with baby teeth braced in the first phase, followed by a rest period, and then a second phase of adult bracing.
Types of braces
Baby teeth usually don’t need full braces in the entire mouth. It depends on your child’s specific orthodontic issues as to what kind of bracing is required. Sometimes a retainer is needed to manage a cross bite, or bracing of only the front baby teeth to correct an overbite or minimize the protrusion of front teeth. Back molars and front teeth are the most commonly braced baby teeth.
Function
Once baby teeth have been positioned to create room for permanent teeth, the second phase of braces is usually shorter than the first. Sometimes a second phase isn’t even needed if the first set of braces allowed the adult teeth to align correctly. A healthy bite has been created that doesn’t need further treatment.
Time frame
You should have your child evaluated by an orthodontist by age seven, so that the need for early intervention can be determined. This lessens the requirement for more aggressive treatment later, like pulling teeth if there isn’t enough room in the jaw.
Special circumstances
Early orthodontic intervention is especially critical if your child was a thumb sucker or used a pacifier for a long time. Habits like these may have altered your child’s jaw or created a crossbite. Without bracing the baby teeth, your child’s jaw may not develop correctly and lead to a permanent misplacement of the jaw and a poor profile.
