Is having straight teeth the only reason to get braces?

Many people believe that the goal of orthodontic treatment is to give a patient a beautiful smile. That’s definitely a great reason, but there are many more benefits. Orthodontic treatment is used to correct a “bad bite,” which is known as a malocclusion. Malocclusions involve crooked teeth  and/or upper and lower jaws that do not meet properly. Crooked teeth are harder to clean properly, putting you at risk for gum disease.  Straight teeth contribute to better oral function by enhancing your ability to bite, chew, and speak properly.  Research also suggests that orthodontic treatment improves your self-esteem.  The American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) website at www.mylifemysmile.org has a list of many other reasons you or your child should see an orthodontist.

Malocclusions are often noticeable around the time when a person’s permanent teeth erupt. The ADA recommends that children should have an orthodontic evaluation no later than the age of 7. Braces aren’t just for children anymore! If you are an adult it’s never too late to improve your dental health and smile as well.

Thumb sucking is a common habit in growing children. Thumb sucking can begin when a child is young, but if not treated, can last for years. This habit can negatively impact the growth of the teeth and jaws. Fortunately, orthodontic intervention combined with a willing and able patient can correct the problem. We have answered some frequently asked questions below.

Question 1: At what age does thumb sucking begin and why?

Answer: At birth, a baby is born with the sucking reflex which is responsible for breastfeeding. This reflex disappears when a child becomes about 4 months old, but can last much longer.

Question 2: At what age should thumb sucking stop?

Answer: Most children stop sucking on their thumbs between the ages of 2 and 4.  However, some older children will retain the habit through adolescence into adulthood.

Question 3: What dental problems can thumb sucking cause?

Answer: Thumb sucking can adversely affect the growth of the developing upper and lower jaws, leading to issues such as compromised speech, chewing efficiency and esthetics. Once permanent teeth erupt thumb sucking may negatively affect the position of the erupting permanent teeth.

Question 4: How can I prevent my child from sucking his/her thumb?

Answer: The ADA recommends to do the following:

1. Praise a child for not sucking their thumb instead of scolding them when they do.
2. Identify why the child is sucking their thumb. Some children suck their thumb because they feel insecure, in this case focus on correcting the cause of anxiety.
3. Some children suck their thumbs because they are bored, try to engage your child in a fun activity to distract them.
4. Deter your child from sucking their thumb by placing a bandage over their thumb or putting a sock on their hand at night.

The AAO recommends an initial orthodontic consultation be performed by the age of 7. If your child has permanent teeth growing in and you suspect he/she has a thumb-sucking habit we recommend you consult an orthodontist for evaluation as soon as possible.

Smile, it’s 2012!  This is the year to wear your braces proudly and correctly. It’s also time to take even better care of your teeth and gums so that they will stay healthy.  Here’s what The Brace Place recommends for smart New Year’s braces resolutions:

• Limit your sweets.
  Sugary foods can weaken the enamel of your teeth and cause cavities.  If you do eat sweets, brush your teeth right after eating to prevent bacteria from lingering.  Hard and sticky foods like candy can also get trapped in braces and trigger cavities.

• Go easy on sugary beverages.
  Use a straw when drinking sodas, juices and other beverages so the liquid does not come into as much contact with your teeth.  This can help prevent cavities.

• Brush twice and floss teeth once a day.
  You don’t want to risk food or bacteria getting stuck in or between your teeth. Brushing teeth right after a soft drink can reduce tooth erosion from acid.

• Visit your dentist.
  If it’s been over 6 months, a checkup is important…particularly when you are wearing braces.

• Regularly check braces for bent or loose wires and brackets.
  Let us know if there is a problem, and we can schedule an appointment to make repairs.

May your New Year be a terrific one for wearing your braces, and for enjoying life!

Used to be, wearing braces meant having a mouthful of metal.  While the majority of today’s braces still use metal, they are smaller and sleeker than those of yesteryear.  People have always made teeth straightening a priority, but—brace yourself—it has sometimes been challenging.

Braces originated with the early Romans, who were thought to wrap metal wires around their teeth in order to straighten them.  After some very—ouch—primitive methods in the Middle Ages, efforts to correct teeth and fill gaps were somewhat improved upon by George Washington’s time.  In later life, he wore partial dentures (ivory, notwood), fastened by metal wires around any original teeth that remained so as to keep them intact and straight.

The wire crib, invented in 1819, set modern orthodontics in motion.  It looked much like today’s braces and was used for the next 100 years.  Then came the 20^th century, when loops, hooks and other components were made of gold, platinum, wood and other materials.  The loops wrapped around each tooth; the high cost of gold kept most folks from having their teeth corrected.

When more affordable stainless steel was introduced as a braces material in the early 1960s, orthodontists immediately got on board, still wrapping loops around teeth.  The 1970’s saw orthodontists using dental adhesive to keep the brackets bonded on, as well as often-uncomfortable tie wires and elastic ligatures to maintain tightness…hence the ‘tin grin’ that even drove Marcia crazy on “The Brady Bunch”!   Self-ligating braces also appeared in the early 1970s; designed like a trap door, each bracket held the wires in place.

In 1975, the first invisible braces were invented, with the bonded brackets on the inside to stay hidden.  This inspired two MBA students to create the Invisalign® system of removable braces in 2000.

Today’s braces are more sophisticated than ever.  Some are shaped by computers to create exact treatment plans.  Others use heat-activated nickel-titanium wires developed by NASA, which have proven superior in helping teeth move in the right direction.  At The Brace Place, you’ll find many options, including metal braces that are used because of their versatility, as well as clear braces and Invisalign.  So smile… considering how far we’ve come in braces advancements, it’s good to be living in times like these!

Image Source: Fauchard, Pierre. The Surgical Dentist. Pound Ridge, NY: Milford House, 1969.

The holidays—and all the delicious foods that go with them—can be challenging for braces wearers.  All the chewy, sticky, crunchy goodies out there can damage braces by tearing wires loose or breaking brackets.  But you can still make merry with braces-friendly holiday recipes like these, that taste terrific and are easy to prepare.

Jiffy Jam Delights

These buttery cookies melt in your mouth like a soft shortbread. As “drop” treats, they mix and bake very quickly. Try filling some from each batch with a variety of jams – they’ll look like colorful jewels.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup margarine, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• Topping:
• Jam of your choice (works better than jelly because it is thicker), about 1 cup
• -You can use several different jams to make different flavored cookies

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 9 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, combine margarine, sugar, salt, egg and vanilla, using an electric mixer and blending until smooth. Mix in flour.
3. Drop from tablespoons onto greased cookie sheet (the texture is almost like modeling dough). Dip a teaspoon into a small cup of water and use the backside of the tip to make a dent in the center of each cookie; dip the spoon every time in the water, to keep it from sticking to the dough. Fill each dent with about 1 teaspoon of jam. Bake for 9 minutes at 350 degrees; the cookies will be quite light-colored with just a little brown around the edges. Makes about two dozen. Store in a covered container.

• Excerpted from The Braces Cookbook: Recipes You (and Your Orthodontist) Will Love by Pamela Waterman and Brenda Waterman, www.MetalMouthMedia.net  ©2011

Soft Christmas Cookies

These soft cookies will be perfect to leave for Santa and nibble on throughout the night for any orthodontic braced child. Soft, warm and sweet they can also be decorated after allowing them to cool completely and still taste great!

Ingredients:

• 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup margarine, softened
• 1 ½ cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract 

Directions:

1. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Gradually blend in the sifted ingredients until fully absorbed. Cover dough, and chill for 2 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. On a clean floured surface, roll out small portions of chilled dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters.
3. Bake 6 to 8 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are barely brown. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

Other braces-friendly foods include soft candies, peanut butter, pudding, meatloaf and soft pretzels.  You can always make soft substitutes to foods, like adding ground meats or serving foods like lasagna instead of pizza.  On the other hand, try to avoid sweets like caramels, nuts, gum and taffy. It is okay to eat sweets….just not too many at this or any other time of the year.  Don’t forget to brush and floss after eating.

We at The Brace Place wish you and your family happy moments that will stick in your memory, but not in your braces.

Some folks believe braces have special powers beyond aligning teeth and enhancing smiles.  Then there are those who think braces can interfere with romance and even metal detectors. In order to avoid getting your wires crossed, let’s look at these myths and truths about braces:

• Myth: Two people wearing braces can lock them if they kiss.
• Fact: Today’s smaller braces are so sleek, it’s almost impossible for them to become entangled.  But it can happen, just like in the movies.  So think before you smooch, or you may truly be inseparable all the way to the orthodontist!

• Myth: It is hard to play amusical instrument with braces.
• Fact: Depending on the instrument that you play there may be an adjustmentperiod when you first have your braces placed, however, most patients quickly adapt and you should be back to playing like normal in a short period of time.

• Myth: Your chance of being struck by lightning increases with braces.
• Fact: Your odds of lightning hitting you remain the same, with braces or without braces.  Though braces contain metal (an electric conductor), the amount is not large enough to increase your probability of being struck by a bolt of lightning.

• Myth: Braces rust while you are in orthodontic treatment.
• Fact: Your braces cannot rust because they are made from titanium alloy—a super strong material that will not rust.  In fact, they’ll look good as new every day, no matter how long you wear them.

• Myth: Braces set-off metal detectors in airport security.
• Fact: Since braces are made from lightweight materials, there is no interference.  In other words, you’ll always pass through airports with flying colors.

The Brace Place can help you discover more facts and fiction about braces.  In addition to lots of good advice, we’ll give you a worry-free experience.  Now go enjoy the next thunderstorm!

A visit to a college blog will quickly tell you that braces can be the cause of worry and insecurity for the college-bound student. First year college students write about wanting to create a great first impression and they worry that braces will make them look too young. They also worry about when they’re going to visit their orthodontist and how they should take care of their braces while away from home.

Some of the responses on the blog were not much different than what your orthodontist would say, i.e., braces are not that unusual in college and wearing them probably won’t affect your social life at all. We recommend that you just embrace braces (confidence is very attractive), follow a few recommendations on how to take care of your braces and teeth, and before you know it the braces will be off and you’ll have that beautiful smile.

Here are just a few tips on how to care for your teeth and braces while away from home:

• Speak to your dentist and orthodontist about your college break schedule and how often they wish to see you. You’ll also want to ask what to do in case of emergencies while you’re away.
• Some items to take with you will be travel toothbrushes for brushing after meals and special floss for braces. If your braces are Invisalign you’ll have a different set of basic tips, as your braces are removable for eating and cleaning.
• Take a nice care package of healthy snacks with you to school. No matter what type of braces you are wearing, you’ll want to limit candy, sodas and juices.
• If your braces are metal braces or clear ones, you need to be watchful of frequent snacking. You’ll also want to avoid foods that are hard, chewy or sticky as they can harm your braces.
• In addition to brushing and flossing you may want to use a water oral hygiene device that helps to remove food particles that the toothbrush may not reach.

Have a great time in college, study hard and know that you’re on your way to the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.

True orthodontic emergencies are very rare during orthodontic treatment.  Some inconveniences should be expected during treatment and are considered normal.  Many times repairs can be handled during your next scheduled appointment, however, we are here to serve you and encourage you to contact our office if you have any questions.  For orthodontic emergencies that can wait for regular office hours please reference the list below for solutions to commonly encountered orthodontic issues. For orthodontic emergencies that can’t wait for regular office hours please contact our office and follow the phone prompts to direct you to our on-call emergency staff member.

1. General Soreness: It is common to feel sore or uncomfortable after getting braces on. Pain generally peaks during the first 24 hours and gradually decreases over the next week. Discomfort can be relieved by over-the-counter pain relievers (i.e. Tylenol, Ibuprofen). Follow the dosage recommendations and any other precautions listed on the bottle.  The cheeks will adapt to the braces rubbing against them, a pea-sized ball of wax can be placed on the affecting area for comfort. As time goes on the inside of your cheeks will toughen-up and adapt to the braces.

2. Loose Bracket/Broken Bracket: Loose brackets are a normal part of orthodontic treatment and can come loose for a variety of reasons. Wax can be placed on the broken bracket if it is causing any discomfort. Please call the office during regular patient hours to re-schedule your appointment for the first available appointment to have the bracket removed.

3. Poking Wire: Try the following if a wire is causing you discomfort:

• clip the end of the wire with nail clippers
• place wax on the end of the wire
• push the wire down with a pencil eraser

If you are still having issues, you can call the office during regular patient hours to re-schedule your appointment for the first available appointment to have the poking wire fixed.

4. Spacer(s) Fell Out: Spacers are the rubber bands that we put BETWEEN your teeth (not around the braces). If you have lost any of your spacers then you will need to make an appointment to have the spacers replaced before your next appointment. If you do not come in to get the spacers placed again, the doctor will not be able to perform the procedure that is planned for your next appointment.

5. Broken Retainer: You should schedule an appointment as soon as possible to have the broken retainer repaired/replaced.

Your child has just been fitted with braces and is worried about going back to school, looking different and being teased. There may also be worries about how to eat at school and how to care for the teeth and the braces. Parents can never calm all fears, and no matter how we might wish to, we cannot stop all teasing. But there is one thing we can assure our children; the discomfort will soon be replaced with self confidence because having beautiful teeth, having a beautiful smile, and enjoying great dental health is what wearing braces is about.

Your child’s orthodontist will be fully aware of the social discomfort that your child may fear. There are popular choices for teens that may lessen the worries, and your orthodontist will recommend what is best, making your child as comfortable as possible.

Some things you can do that will encourage and help your child handle the worries are:

• Tell them how beautiful they are, and that the braces are not nearly as unusual as they may think. Remind them of their friends who wear braces, and if it helps, point out the many famous people they may admire, who wore braces as children or as adults. (If you need references, check this post.)
• Let them help you create a small kit to carry to school with a new toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss. They will be brushing after lunch, so make it pleasant and easy to do.
• Send treats and snacks with them that are recommended by your orthodontist. Some possibilities can be yogurt, pudding, soft pretzels, cheese, crackers, soft fruit and string cheese. Avoid sending sodas – always send water. (See more recommendations here)

Your child’s smile will be so important throughout life, so take the time to calm their fears, reassure them of their wise decision, make it as easy as you can for them to keep their teeth clean and protect their braces, and remind them of all of the other beautiful people who did exactly the same thing. Your positive reinforcement will help them get past the uncomfortable time until they feel as normal with their braces as they did without.

When you’re wearing braces, the orthodontic appliances, brackets and wires can be damaged by some types of foods. That’s why your orthodontist gives you dietary guidelines. The foods you’ll want to keep away from your braces are primarily hard or sticky.

Just to be able to compare the do’s and don’ts, we’ll go over the “not to eat” foods first. Some of the things you’ll want to leave alone are:

• Nuts
• Popcorn
• Chewing gum
• Pizza crust
• Croutons
• Caramels
• Jelly beans
• Ice cubes
• Tootsie rolls

It’s easy to see how these things and other hard or sticky foods and candy would cause damage.

There are other foods you should be cautious about eating, and if you do feel you just have to have some of these things, cut or break them up and chew with your back teeth.

The “be cautious” list contains:

• Bagels
• Chicken wings
• Raw veggies
• Hard fruit like apples
• Fruit with pits
• Granola bars and
• Other items that might be hard, have bones, or might need to be cut up
• Also avoid foods high in sugar and brush soon after you do

Now here’s the good part! Let’s see how many of your favorites you can eat when wearing braces:

• Ice cream
• Potato chips
• Yogurt
• Pudding
• Cottage cheese
• Eggs
• Milkshakes
• Steamed vegetables
• Pasta
• Potatoes
• French fries
• Soft pretzels
• Sub sandwiches (cut up)
• Cheese
• Soup
• Crackers
• Cereal in milk
• Soft fruit
• String cheese
• Peas
• Cream corn
• Other things like hamburgers and so on can be cut up into small pieces

Things that are soft to chew and won’t stick to or inside your braces, and things that are not high in sugar are on your “go ahead and enjoy” list. Try to focus on eating with your back teeth and not the front, eat slowly, chew your food thoroughly, and remember – the list of things you can eat is a whole lot longer and healthier than the list of things you can’t eat!

For more tips on wearing orthodontic braces, check out our Back to School Tips.