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.

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.

Wisdom teeth (AKA-third molars) are usually the last teeth to erupt into the mouth. Wisdom teeth typically erupt during adulthood, between the ages of 17 and 25. Most people have four wisdom teeth, but sometimes they have more or less. In fact, 35% of the population never develop wisdom teeth.

Wisdom teeth use to be called the “teeth of wisdom” in the Seventeenth Century. Wisdom teeth got their name because a person is considered to be “wiser” when they enter adulthood. Wisdom teeth use to have a purpose, but now they just serve as a burden for many. Before the Twentieth Century, adults use to lose their teeth early in life. Wisdom teeth were considered to be a “back-up” tooth, these teeth would fill-in for others that fell-out. Due to recent advancements in dental health care people are retaining their teeth longer so this is no longer an issue.

Wisdom teeth are infamous for causing problems. They are well-known for causing pain and the onset is unpredictable. Poorly aligned wisdom teeth (and teeth in general) are more difficult to clean, can damage adjacent teeth and cause defects to jaw structure that supports the teeth. This damage can compromise the long-term health and stability of the teeth, in turn negatively affecting your bite. For this reason (and many others) it is important to maintain regular check-ups with your dentist and/or with The Brace Place, so that a professional is continually evaluating your bite.

Feel free to ask our office if you have any questions regarding your wisdom teeth and how it may affect your orthodontic treatment…we will be happy to help!

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!

If you hear a grinding sound while a family member sleeps, it’s most likely their teeth rubbing against each other.  The cause is typically a dental disorder called bruxism that is often brought on by stress. It can wear down teeth, loosen fillings and cause a loss of enamel if not treated.  A possible solution is to have a night guard made. The night guard will provide a cushion between upper and lower teeth, protecting the teeth from the potential side effects of grinding.

We recommend custom-made night guards be made for the patient once the braces are removed and the teeth are in their new position.  Please contact our office or your general dentist’s office if anyone in your family has bruxism to see what type of night guard they recommend for you.  Night guards can  reduce potential damage to teeth and their adjacent supporting structures.  In addition, he or she will sleep more comfortably…and so will you.

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.

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!

To maintain your correction, your orthodontist will work with you to accomplish the following:

• After the braces are removed you will need to return to your family dentist for an examination and cleaning (it is important to maintain proper oral hygiene by brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day). Also, you will need to keep regularly scheduled appointments with your general dentist to evaluate your readiness for removal of your wisdom teeth.
• Your orthodontist will provide you with a retainer for each treated arch.
• Your orthodontist will supervise the wear and care of your retainers once the braces are removed and at follow-up appointments.
• Also remember to take your retainers out when you eat/drink and when you brush/floss.
• Clean your retainers daily with a toothbrush and mild soap and/or toothpaste.
• Keep your retainers in your retainer case when you are not wearing them; retainers are frequently thrown away on accident and pets love to chew on them.
• If you lose your retainers, break your retainers or feel that the retainers are not fitting properly then call your orthodontist immediately. Remember – your teeth will shift if your retainers are not worn properly.

Always wear your retainers as instructed and remember that even with perfect retainer wear your teeth do make adaptive changes to the function of the tongue, lips and supporting structures of the mouth. These changes are natural. Working together, you will achieve the maximum benefits from your investment of time, money and effort.

Congratulations on having your braces removed! Now is the time to help your beautiful smile stay that way for a lifetime!