November brings Thanksgiving, and December follows with Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanza. During the holidays, people gather with friends and family, enjoying fantastic meals and wonderful treats. Carmel apples, roasted nuts, toffee, and other sweets can wreak havoc on braces, retainers, and other orthodontia. To prevent broken or damaged appliances, consider these suggestions:
• Stay away from gooey caramels and crunchy nuts, which can break brackets or dislodge retainers.
• Choose soft treats like chocolate or pumpkin pie since they won’t harm your orthodontic appliances.
• Don’t chew ice as you finish a festive beverage. Not only can it damage your braces, but it can also crack or chip your teeth.
• If you are wearingInvisalign clear aligners, make sure to remove them before any holiday gatherings.
• After you return home, remember to carefully brush and floss teeth. Because having braces make it more difficult to keep teeth clean, take extra care during the holidays so that you won’t develop any new cavities.
• Try a whitening toothpaste to add a little sparkle to your smile.
Even when you are careful, accidents may still happen. If you knock a bracket off or loosen a wire, contact your orthodontist as soon as possible. Place wax over the area if the damaged appliance starts to irritate your mouth or gums. Most of the time, these situations can wait until the office opens again.
Giving you something to smile about at our Sherman Oaks, CA orthodontic office – Mehdi Fotovat, DDS.
If you have a child or teenager with braces, you will likely have unexpected situations arise. Even adults aren’t immune to occasional issues with their orthodontia. Call your orthodontist when an incident occurs. Luckily, very few true emergencies will arise during orthodontic treatment. These tips will help you deal with any unforeseen issues.
Broken or Loose Wire – If a wire starts to poke your child, place dental wax over the area to protect the inside of the mouth. Sometimes, wires break. Bring any pieces of wire with you to the orthodontist.
Loose or Broken Bracket – When the bracket comes loose but is still attached to the wire, you should see the orthodontist right away. Once the bracket breaks off, save it and bring it with you as soon as you can see the doctor.
Loose band – Usually, a band is cemented on the tooth so the patient is in no immediate danger. Call your doctor as soon as possible so that you can go in and have the band re-cemented in place before food and bacteria get under the area.
Trauma with loose teeth – In these cases, you should contact your family dentist as well as your orthodontist to coordinate patient care.
Broken Retainer – Because a retainer holds teeth in place after braces, call your orthodontist immediately if the appliance stops fitting correctly.
Cuts or sores inside your mouth – Thoroughly rinse the area with warm salt water to help with healing. Call for an appointment so the doctor can determine the cause of irritation.
Creating healthy, beautiful smiles at our Sherman Oaks, CA orthodontic practice – Dr. Mehdi Fotovat.
Most people think about the beginning of fall or Halloween when they think about October. But, October is also National Orthodontic Health Month. Sponsored by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), National Orthodontic Health Month helps promote the importance and benefits of orthodontic treatment.
The first recognized specialty within dentistry, orthodontics focuses on the identification and treatment of improper bites, or malocclusions. Training to become an orthodontist takes an extra two to three years after dental school. Because of their expertise and training, orthodontists can recommend the best course of action to create a straight, healthy smile.
At some time, most people will need at least an orthodontic evaluation, if not orthodontic treatment. An estimated 6 out of 10 people worldwide have braces or had them at some point. Although many people assume that braces are just for kids and teenagers, adult orthodontic treatment has risen in popularity, with about 20 percent of orthodontic patients being over the age of 18.
Metal braces are the most common form of orthodontics, but other options exist. Clear brackets and lingual braces provide less conspicuous ways to straighten teeth. For adults and older teen patients, Invisalign clear aligners offer an almost invisible way to move teeth into the correct position.
To find out which options will work for you or your child, schedule an orthodontic consultation. At this appointment, your orthodontist can take X-rays and perform an examination to get a clear picture of the situation. Then, the doctor will meet with you to present a complete treatment plan. Having a perfect smile can boost your confidence and improve your oral health since crooked teeth are harder to keep clean.
We care about your teeth – give us a call today! Dr. Mehdi Fotovat – Sherman Oaks, CA Orthodontist
