When you have braces or other orthodontic appliances, your teeth need special care. Making sure to follow proper oral hygiene steps will ensure optimal results and prevent any treatment delays. These tips will help you take good care of your teeth and gums during treatment.
• Brush your teeth after eating meals and when you snack so that food doesn’t get trapped between braces.
• If you can’t brush right away, rinse your mouth with water.
• Make sure to floss at least once a day.
• Flossing may be more difficult so ask your orthodontist about floss threaders, which will help you get the floss between your braces. Waxed floss may work better because it won’t fray.
• Find out if your orthodontist has any special recommendations about the toothbrush you should use. You can find toothbrushes designed to make brushing more efficient, including V-shaped brushes, brushes that bend at the neck, and round hard brushes.
• Use toothpaste with fluoride, which will give your teeth extra protection against decay.
• Avoid hard or sticky foods like bubble gum, caramel, or nuts while you have braces because these items can damage brackets.
• Limit soft drinks because they are very acidic and may cause decalcification, a precursor to tooth decay, around your brackets.
• Schedule regular checkups with your dentist at least every six months. Depending on your situation, the dentist or orthodontist may recommend more frequent visits while you have braces.
• Don’t pull or pick at your braces.
Orthodontist in Sherman Oaks, California – Dr. Mehdi Fotovat – Burbank Orthodontist – WebBraces.com
Although most people don’t love the idea of wearing braces, it doesn’t usually create any major problems. For some individuals, though, orthodontic treatment with braces is a bigger deal. Over time, some people develop sensitivity to nickel, a common metal found in jewelry, watches, and clothing. Unfortunately, nickel is a component in metal braces as well as in the wires and auxiliary pieces used during treatment.
Research indicates that more people have a reaction to nickel than to all other metals combined. This sensitivity occurs when the immune system responds to the foreign substance. More females than males exhibit problems with nickel, which may be attributed to other contact with nickel such as with watches, earrings, metal buttons, and even detergent. Symptoms may include a rash on the skin and lesions in the mouth.
One of the reasons for the increase in nickel sensitivity cases is the popularity of body piercing. The jewelry used for these piercings usually contains nickel. While the initial exposure to the nickel may not cause a reaction, full symptoms may develop with subsequent exposure.
If you or a loved one has sensitivity to nickel, talk with your orthodontist about other options. Often, stainless steel components, which are only about eight percent nickel, will work better than other metal appliances. Ceramic, plastic, gold-plated, and titanium brackets are other alternatives to consider as well as Invisalign. In some cases, a reaction may not develop until after treatment has started. Contact your orthodontist right away if you notice any signs of nickel sensitivity.
We love to see you smile at our orthodontic dental practice in Sherman Oaks, CA – Mehdi Fotovat, DDS
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children receive an evaluation around age seven. Not all children will need early treatment, but it’s important to have an orthodontist see how things are developing. Certain problems are easier to correct at an early age, so this initial assessment helps set your child on the right path. As well, your orthodontist can assess your child’s development and make sure everything continues on the right track.
Around age seven, your child’s first molars appear, which solidifies the back bite. At this time, the orthodontist can see how the various teeth are in relation to the others, looking for issues such as overbites, crowding, or crossbites. Without correction, orthodontic problems can result in uneven tooth wear, speech impediments, and greater risk of decay or gum disease.
For some children, it’s particularly important to schedule an early evaluation. If you notice the following problems, contact the office of Mehdi Fotovat for an appointment:
• Breathing through the mouth
• Clenching or grinding
• Crowding
• Difficulties with speech
• Extended use of a pacifier
• Spacing problems
• Thumbsucking beyond preschool
Bringing your child to the orthodontist for an early assessment means addressing these issues, or others like them, before they create additional problems. Early treatment can make room for permanent teeth that still need to erupt and also lessen the time needed in braces at a later point. Often, therapy is most successful when treatment is performed while the jaws and face are still growing.
Schedule a Visit to our Sherman Oaks orthodontic practice and see how we can enhance your smile. Mehdi Fotovat
In recent years, more kids and adults are wearing braces. Research indicates that 70 percent of the population could benefit from orthodontic treatment. Based on fossil findings, our ancestors had little trouble with alignment of their teeth, so what happened to us? As different ethnic and genetic populations began to merge, human growth pattern in the mouth didn’t accommodate teeth and jaw development.
Often, children inherit the need for orthodontic from one or both parents whose teeth didn’t align correctly, just as you inherit eye color or seasonal allergies. These tendencies can be passed down from generation to generation. Consequently, your child’s teeth may be too large or too small for the jaw area, resulting in crowding or extra spaces.
With modern orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist can correct alignment and spacing problems. Generally, it’s a good idea to bring your child in for an orthodontic evaluation around age seven. At this time, the orthodontist can assess your child’s current and future development to determine if any intervention is necessary. Some children require Phase I, or early orthodontic treatment, to prepare their mouths for Phase 2, the straight-forward phase of treatment that usually involves traditional braces.
If you would like a straighter smile, but never made steps to change it, there’s still time. Even adults can benefit from orthodontic treatment. With modern alternatives like Invisalign clear aligners or ceramic braces, you can achieve a picture-perfect smile without the hassle and embarrassment of metal braces.
We’ll give you something to smile about at our Sherman Oaks, CA orthodontic practice – Mehdi Fotovat, DDS.
If you have braces, you visit the orthodontist on a regular basis. Orthodontics is one of several recognized dental specialties. Even though most people have heard of braces, they may know little else about the field of orthodontics. Expand your knowledge and impress your friends with these factoids:
Did you know that…?
• Orthodontists must complete four years of dental school and an additional two years of graduate training before they can practice.
• The first certified orthodontist in the United States was Dr Charles Tweed, who devoted himself to this area of study for 42 years.
• In 1728, Pierre Fauchard designed the first braces, which consisted of a flat strip of metal connected to teeth by pieces of thread.
• Edward Angle invented orthodontic brackets in 1915.
• As early as 400 BC, Hippocrates wrote about issues with “irregularities of teeth.”
• The ancient Greeks combined base metals and *cat gut* to improve smiles around 1000 B.C.
• Although metal brackets and wires were the original form of modern braces, options like clear brackets, lingual braces, and Invisalign clear aligners are now available as well.
• Many teen patients have turned their braces into fashion statements with colored bands and brackets.
• Celebrities, models, and athletes want straighter teeth too. Tom Cruise, Brett Farve, Chelsea Clinton, and Gwen Stefani are a few famous faces that have worn braces.
• You’re never too old to enjoy a healthy smile. In fact, an estimated 1 million Americans over age 18 have decided on orthodontic care to straighten their teeth.
It’s time to schedule your visit to our Sherman Oaks CA orthodontic office. Dr. Fotovat – Burbank Orthodontist – WebBraces.com
