The foods you eat and when you eat them affects your overall health, but also the health of your teeth and gums. If you eat too many foods loaded with sugar, and not enough foods containing important nutrients, your risk of tooth decay increases. How can choosing a smart diet prevent dental problems?
When plaque on your teeth meets sugar, which then causes acid to attack your teeth, your teeth begin to decay. Foods and drinks containing any type of sugar can lead to tooth decay. You should make a habit of reading the nutrition labels on foods, so that you can opt for the choices lowest in sugar. Common sugar-filled items to avoid include sodas, candy, cookies, and pastries.
On the other hand, certain nutrients help build up the health of your teeth and gums. If your diet lacks those vitamins and minerals, the tissues in your mouth will be less resistant to infection. This can lead to gum disease, which if untreated can end up in tooth loss. Experts suggest that gum disease worsens faster in people who maintain a poor diet.
The key is to eat a balanced diet containing the five major food groups: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy foods. It’s also important to drink plenty of water. You should also limit snacking between meals, because those tend to be foods that fall outside the recommended food items for healthy teeth. Also, more saliva is produced during a meal, which is helpful in cleaning your mouth and reducing the harmful effects of acid on your teeth and gums.
For good dental health, remember to practice proper dental hygiene such as brushing and flossing regularly. Maintaining consistent dental checkups is another way to maintain your oral health. In the meantime, making smart choices in your diet will help keep your mouth in tip-top shape.
Dr. Fotovat is a orthodontist in Sherman Oaks CA
Braces have traditionally been the way to achieve a beautiful smile, but there’s a new kind of technology available that provides an alternative to metal braces. Invisalign uses a series of clear aligning trays to move your teeth into a better position, while having less impact on your lifestyle and self-confidence.
With Invisalign treatment, you will be custom fitted with trays that fit over your teeth. They are clear, and therefore practically invisible to others. Each aligner is worn for two weeks for twenty hours or more each day. Then you visit your orthodontist to obtain a new aligning tray, and repeat the process. You continue to get new trays every couple of weeks until treatment is complete. The time period for Invisalign treatment varies from patient to patient, but typically the length of treatment is shorter than that of traditional braces.
Invisalign offers some unique benefits compared to traditional braces. Because they are removable, the aligning trays are taken out for meals. Therefore, no food gets stuck like with braces. This also means that oral hygiene is much easier with Invisalign. Your dental care routine is the same as without braces, so it’s simple to brush and floss. Another good thing is that the aligners do not break and there aren’t any wires to break either. Also, the periodic changing of trays does not trigger the amount of soreness that accompanies the tightening of braces. Finally, probably the most popular benefit is that Invisalign trays are invisible, so there is no embarrassment associated with having a mouthful of metal.
As with any type of medical care, the results and specifics of each patient’s treatment varies. Ask your orthodontist about Invisalign and if it can give you the smile that you have always wanted.
Invisalign orthodontist in Sherman Oaks, CA.
Not everyone is blessed with perfect teeth, so that’s why you see many people wearing braces to correct their smiles. But did you know there are lots more people who wear braces then you realize? New technologies provide orthodontic treatment that you can’t even see without close examination, and the results are just as good as wearing traditional braces.
Why should I get braces?
The most obvious answer to this question is to correct crooked teeth. Braces are more than teeth straightening though. Jaw misalignment is another main reason for braces. There are also side effects of misplaced or overlapping teeth, such as speech difficulties, facial changes, malocclusion, difficulty eating, and tooth decay because you can’t adequately clean all areas of your teeth. A bad bite may cause your teeth to chip or break, and result in pain and headaches associated with temporomandibular joint disorder. Good orthodontic treatment can treat all of these issues.
Are there different kinds?
The traditional metal kind of braces has been around the longest. These involve metal wires pushing your teeth, along with brackets that attach to each tooth. Sometimes rubber bands and other appliances are needed as well. A newer type of braces is the invisible ones that are made of clear plastic. These removable aligner trays move your teeth without having the same aesthetic impacts on your smile during treatment.
What are the benefits of invisible braces?
The near invisibility of clear braces is the reason many patients choose them. Here are some additional reasons that they are popular:
- Comfortable and lightweight with no wires that might poke you
- Convenient to take in and out
- Allows normal brushing and flossing
- No diet restrictions
Visit an orthodontist for Invisalign – Dr. Fotovat is premier preferred provider of Invisalign to patient from Burbank and the surrounding area.
When it comes to achieving the smile you always wanted by straightening your teeth, you have a number of options these days. Patients have varying opinions about what they are willing to wear on their teeth during orthodontic work, so advancements in technology allow for other alternatives to the traditional metal braces. Here are some common choices for teeth straightening.
Permanent braces
Made of metal or ceramics, these are the braces that probably come to mind first. Each bracket is permanently attached to the tooth for a secure fit. Permanent braces are highly successful for major realignments and restorative changes. Metal braces are durable but very noticeable in your mouth, while ceramic braces are somewhat less sturdy but can be colored to match your teeth.
Clear braces
Invisalign is a newer alternative to traditional braces, popular because they are made of clear plastic that makes them practically invisible. The trays gradually align your teeth as you’re wearing them, and are removable for eating and cleaning. Invisalign may not be the best choice for severe orthodontic issues, however, as they are most effective for minor to moderate treatment.
Lingual braces
Placed on the inside of your teeth, lingual braces are hidden from view. This type of treatment requires a very skilled orthodontist to properly install and adjust the braces, and not all patients are candidates. Lingual braces sometimes irritate your tongue and gums, so make sure you discuss this type of treatment thoroughly with your orthodontist to make sure you understand all the pros and cons.
Dr. Fotovat is an Orthodontist in Sherman Oaks specializing in Invisalign.
If you need braces to straighten your teeth or adjust your jaw alignment, there are several types of braces that you can select for orthodontic treatment. Talk with your orthodontist about which kind is right for you, but here is a general description of the types available and the differences between them.
Traditional
Made from quality stainless steel, metal braces have traditionally been the most common option for braces. They have a proven track record of successful orthodontic treatment, but some people aren’t thrilled about the noticeable appearance of metal in their smiles. Small brackets are bonded onto the fronts of the teeth and joined together with a wire, and sometimes colorful elastics may be worn.
Ceramic
Made of clear ceramic, these braces are especially popular among older youth and adults because they are less visible. The braces blend with tooth enamel. However, ceramic braces are more likely to break. Manufacturers are making the brackets thicker in an effort to decrease the chances of breaking during wear.
Gold-plated
Similar to metal braces, these are also made of stainless steel but are covered in gold. Some patients find the look of gold to be more appealing than silver. Surprisingly, the cost of gold-plated braces is comparable to most clear braces.
Invisalign
The biggest benefit of Invisalign braces is that they are practically invisible. Clear plastic aligners are worn to gradually move teeth into better position, and they are removable so oral hygiene techniques remain the same as without braces.
Incognito
Fitted onto the back of the teeth so that they are completely hidden from view, incognito braces offer another option for patients not wanting their braces to be noticed. These braces are trickier to adjust and clean, can affect speech, and are often more expensive than other braces.
Braces orthodontist in Sherman Oaks CA
