Dangers of “Do It Yourself” Orthodontic Treatment

Dangers of “Do It Yourself” Orthodontic TreatmentAs we enter the holiday season, we know everyone is trying to put their best self forward preparing to gather around with loved ones. A good-looking smile with even teeth can be a major confidence booster and helps to make a lasting impression on others whether on a date, reunion, or even interview.

Each year millions and even billions of dollars are spent on products to help people achieve that beautiful smile. These days there are dozens of products and methods spreading across the internet claiming they can get your teeth to “pearlfection”. There are even some who have resulted in making their own concoctions of dental care to save on money.

Please heed our warning, when it comes to dental care, doing it on your own can have dangerous and disastrous results.

Recent videos and posts of how to perform “do-it-yourself” or DIY dental procedures have become more popular and resulted in a rise of patients suffering from DIY procedures gone wrong. These are problematic trends that can have serious consequences.

We’d like to warn you about some of these dangers in hopes that you will see through the false promises they give. Instead, save yourself the trouble and toothache of DIY treatments and come to us for your dental needs.

Home-made Orthodontics

An internet trend that has come to our attention is the increasing videos and articles on how to make your own braces. While we understand that many people consider braces a rite of passage and trendy look, it is important to note that orthodontic treatment is a dental procedure and not something one should take into his or her own hands.

What are they?

To make these DIY braces, people fasten household items to their teeth to move their teeth to where they think they should be. Some of these items include rubber bands, dental floss, hair ties, paperclips, and earring backs.

A popular method of DIY orthodontic treatment is to use clear hair ties to close a gap or straighten teeth.

The idea is to wrap these ties around the misaligned teeth and after an indeterminate amount of time (daily or nightly wear), the gaps are supposed to close and straighten your bite. A small pack of these hair ties costs around $5 and some people who claim to see results in as little as 45 days. The appeal of DIY braces can be awfully attractive, but it is truly a case of you get what you pay for–and you should beware!

Straightening your teeth isn’t just about closing gaps; braces help align the upper and lower teeth to reduce pressure on your jaw and keep your teeth from wearing on each other over time.

What are the effects of DIY orthodontics?

The shape of teeth vary greatly as each mouth is unique. It can be easy for those rubber bands and ties to slide into soft tissue. Once embedded into your gums they can be difficult and nearly impossible to remove without professional help.

If left untreated, it will continue to move further into your gum line causing nerve damage as it makes its way towards the root of your tooth. This process will cause the crowns of your teeth to extrude as the roots are slowly killed and the tooth becomes loose and falls out. The loss of teeth and nerve damage are common complications that we see from DIY orthodontics but are not the only things to worry about. Other complications include:

  • Choking on makeshift brackets such as earring backs
  • Metal clips such as paper clips and other metals can become toxic if left in the mouth for extended periods
  • The snapping of bands directly onto your teeth can crack your enamel. Enamel loss is permanent.
  • The gums can become infected, resulting in serious and often expensive treatment
  • Crooked smiles due to teeth being moved at the wrong angle.
  • Pain and lacerations from bands sinking into soft tissue
  • Long term issues and pain from moving teeth too quickly.

Quality dental care is not quick, easy or inexpensive. Creating the perfect smile is a practice that requires education, training, experience, and skill to know how to properly and safely move teeth.

Mail-Order Products

Mail-Order dentistry or “teledentistry” is now on the rise. Instead of going to a dentist or orthodontist, there are now direct to consumer companies that will supply you with orthodontic appliances. These companies will often send an at-home impression kit for you to make your own impressions and mail them back to the company for evaluation. The company will then decide if you meet their criteria and once approved the aligners are made and sent back with instructions on how to correct your teeth at home.

These products are significantly cheaper making them appear to be more convenient to consumers. However, the criteria for the company’s acceptance does not take into account clients who might suffer from oral health issues such as gum disease and dental decay. These conditions often cause the misalignment of teeth and cannot be corrected with mail-order productions.

Mail-Order companies have the goal of making money by selling you products that should be supervised by qualified oral health professionals and are willing to compromise consumer health and safety for the sake of profit.

Dangers of Mail-Order Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontists do more than just straighten your teeth. They identify and treat oral health concerns before considering treatment. This is why a comprehensive exam is performed before recommending any form of orthodontic treatment. With mail-order companies, other issues that the consumer might have can easily be overlooked as they can’t be seen with a simple impression kit.

Some dangers of these products are:

  • Poorly fitted products – A one-size-fits-all aligner or impression mold done without a professional evaluation can lead to poorly fitted aligners that may result in the loss of teeth, damage/infection of gums, inability to open/close jaw, and often teeth are left worse after receiving mail-order treatment.
  • Lack of supervision – There is no supervision with mail-order companies. Your teeth might move faster or slower than anticipated which is why orthodontic treatment requires frequent check-ups to see your progress throughout treatment. Without a dentist or orthodontist supervising you, issues will go unnoticed and may lead to further problems.
  • Aligners aren’t always the right choice – Aligners are not the ultimate solution to uneven or misaligned smiles. Your mouth is unique and different treatments may be required for you to achieve your perfect smile.

It is important to remember that orthodontic treatment is a medical service, not a simple product or device to buy easily. Dental health professionals are here to decide what treatment plan will work best for you. Though these options can be tempting on the wallet, often consumers find themselves spending more money in the long-run when they come in for treatment to fix issues created by mail-order or DIY products.

Your teeth will thank you for putting your trust in dental professionals when it comes to achieving your perfect smile. Bring your questions and desires with you during your next Bracify 3D Orthodontics appointment and we will be sure to help you. Together, we will make a safe plan on how to achieve your best smile.

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Maintaining Braces for Children: A Comprehensive Guide to Oral Care

Maintaining Braces for Children: A Comprehensive Guide to Oral CareFor many children, braces are a big part of growing up. While few children enjoy having them, the advantages of getting braces are often very obvious, especially later on in life.

American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) has found that braces help align teeth that are too far apart, too close, or too crooked. They can also help overbites and under-bites.

Importance of Proper Maintenance for Braces

If your child wants to fully enjoy the advantages that braces can offer, he or she will need to take the time to maintain them properly. They will be more comfortable and more effective if they are maintained properly. Your child may also be able to take them off sooner if he or she maintains them well.

Brushing and Flossing with Braces

Your child needs to have top-notch dental hygiene if he or she is going to get braces. It is important that your child pays close attention to caring for the teeth and gums.

Choosing the Right Dental Hygiene Routine

Your child needs to floss at least once a day and brush their teeth twice a day. Also, your child should be gentle when they brush or floss to avoid damaging the brackets or wires. Your child should use a toothbrush that possesses soft bristles to brush their teeth. Any toothpaste with fluoride is fine for your child to use.

Proper Flossing Techniques

Have your child floss after meals to get rid of the food particles that get stuck between the wiring, the brackets, and the teeth. Food particles are more likely to accumulate and lead to the buildup of plaque among those who wear them. Your child needs to be gentle when flossing to ensure they don’t damage them. Your child should position the floss between the wire of the braces and the tooth. Then your child should work the floss between the tooth and the braces slowly.

Foods to Avoid with Braces

Chances are, your child’s orthodontist has given you an entire list of foods and beverages your child should avoid. The best rule of thumb is to avoid chewy, sticky, and hard foods. Some examples of such foods include gummy candy and caramel candy. Hard pretzels and popcorn can also get stuck or cause the braces to snap whenever your child takes a bite.
You should watch out for anything your child puts in their mouth. For example, biting pens or biting nails can cause significant damage to braces. Your child should not chew on ice or other hard objects.

Protecting Braces During Physical Activities

Even if your child wears braces, he or she can still play a sport. However, your child will likely need to wear a mouthguard to ensure their teeth are not damaged during games or practice. Your child should have a mouthguard on both the top and bottom teeth. Also, your child should have a dentist make a custom mouthguard for a good fit.

Achieving a Beautiful and Improved Smile

If your child has braces, they will need to pay far more attention to their mouth than they normally do. While the extra effort may be bothersome, the results will be worthwhile. Encourage your child to do their best to achieve a beautiful and improved smile.

For more information, feel free to contact Bracify 3D Orthodontics today!

Clear Aligner Therapy

Clear Aligner TherapyDo you have crooked or crowded teeth, or perhaps an overbite but don’t want to wear braces? Clear aligner therapy might be the right solution for you. Similar to traditional braces, clear aligner therapy works to gradually move teeth discreetly with virtually invisible appliances.

What is clear aligner therapy?

Clear aligner therapy refers to an orthodontic alternative to traditional braces where the patient wears a series of custom-made clear plastic aligners that gently and gradually move their teeth into proper alignment. The goal of clear aligner therapy is to help the patient achieve a healthy bite where the top and bottom teeth properly align, function, and fit together.

Clear aligners are great for those who have crooked teeth, crowded teeth, gaps, overbites, underbites, open bite, or even crossbites. However, it is important to note that even though clear aligners can treat a variety of orthodontic conditions, it may not be the best treatment option for everyone.

There are many orthodontic teeth-straightening treatments available. The most recognized is traditional metal braces that use wires and brackets to move your teeth. Traditional braces can be painful, uncomfortable, and put limitations on diet, which makes clear aligners an appealing alternative to many patients.

Some of the benefits of clear aligner therapy include:

  • They are custom made to fit the patient’s teeth
  • They are removable
  • They are easier to keep teeth and gums clean and healthy
  • They are clear and discreet
  • They are less likely to irritate your gums and cheeks
  • They can help prevent wear on teeth from tooth grinding

How does it work?

Clear aligners work like any other orthodontic appliance where pressure is applied to the teeth, gradually moving them and reshaping the supporting soft tissue and bones.

An orthodontist will conduct a full dental exam of the patient’s mouth to assess the most appropriate treatment option. This exam may include digital scans, photographs, impressions, and x-rays. After the orthodontist concludes that clear aligner therapy is a suitable option, a series of clear plastic aligners are created specifically for the patient’s dental goals and lifestyle needs.

The aligners apply gentle pressure to the periodontal ligaments that surround each tooth, and as the pressure is applied, the blood vessels expand and contract along the tooth. This reaction causes chemical signals to be sent so that the body can adjust to the tooth’s new position and rebuild the tooth’s structure and support system so that it can remain in position. Once your tooth is completely rebuilt and adjusted to the new position, it is time to switch to the next aligner for more adjustments.

The length of treatment can also vary depending on what the patient’s goals are and the condition of their teeth. Your orthodontist will be able to give you a better estimate of how long treatment will take once your doctor has customized your treatment plan.

Generally, aligners are changed every 2 weeks to gradually move the teeth. The total number of aligners can vary from patient to patient, though on average patients can go through anywhere from 20-30 aligners during treatment.

Unlike traditional braces, clear aligners put the treatment’s effectiveness on the patient’s shoulders as the patient is responsible for wearing the aligner constantly. For the treatment to work properly, aligners should be worn for at least 22 hours each day unless otherwise instructed. Patients should remove the aligner to eat, drink, brush, and floss their teeth only. Otherwise, they should be worn night and day.

If you are interested in clear aligner therapy and wonder if it is right for you, schedule a consultation with Bracify 3D Orthodontics today.

Prioritizing Dental Hygiene for a Healthy Smile with Braces

Prioritizing Dental Hygiene for a Healthy Smile with BracesMaintaining good dental hygiene is crucial for overall oral health, especially when wearing braces. We understand the significance of proper oral care during orthodontic treatment.

In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of dental hygiene for individuals with braces and provide valuable tips to ensure a healthy and beautiful smile throughout their orthodontic journey.

Understanding the Impact of Braces on Oral Health:

  • Complexity of Cleaning: Braces create intricate structures with brackets, wires, and elastic bands, making it challenging to clean thoroughly. This complexity leads to an increased risk of plaque buildup and oral health issues if not addressed.

  • Increased Risk of Tooth Decay: The presence of braces creates additional surfaces where food particles and plaque can accumulate. Failing to maintain proper dental hygiene can result in tooth decay, enamel demineralization, and white spots on teeth.

  • Potential for Gum Disease: Poor oral hygiene during braces treatment can contribute to gum inflammation, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. It is crucial to prevent plaque and bacteria buildup to safeguard gum health.

Essential Dental Hygiene Practices for Brace Wearers:

  • Effective Brushing Techniques: Proper brushing is vital for individuals with braces. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and angle it towards the gum line, cleaning above and below the brackets. Thoroughly brush the spaces between brackets and wires to remove plaque and food particles.

  • Flossing with Care: Flossing becomes more challenging with braces, but it remains essential. Utilize orthodontic floss threaders or interdental brushes to reach tight spaces and clean between teeth and underwires.

  • Utilize Mouthwash and Fluoride Rinse: Incorporating an antibacterial mouthwash into your oral hygiene routine helps eliminate bacteria and freshen your breath. Additionally, using a fluoride rinse strengthens tooth enamel and protects against decay.

  • Regular Dental Check-ups: Routine visits are crucial during orthodontic treatment. Our experienced professionals can identify emerging issues, provide professional cleanings, and ensure your braces are functioning correctly.

Diet and Oral Hygiene:

  • Avoid Sticky and Hard Foods: Sticky or hard foods can damage braces and make oral hygiene more difficult. Minimize consumption of caramel, taffy, popcorn, and chewing gum, as they can become trapped and cause problems.

  • Limit Sugary and Acidic Foods: Sugary snacks, sodas, and citrus fruits promote bacterial growth and enamel erosion. Reducing their intake helps maintain good oral health during braces treatment.

Maintaining Oral Hygiene on the Go:

  • Portable Oral Care Tools: Keep a travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss in your bag. This allows you to maintain oral hygiene even when away from home.

  • Water Rinse: If brushing is not possible, rinsing your mouth with water after meals can help dislodge food particles and reduce the risk of plaque buildup.

We emphasize the significance of dental hygiene for individuals wearing braces. By following proper oral care practices, such as thorough brushing, diligent flossing, and a healthy diet, you can ensure a successful orthodontic journey. Regular visits to our experienced team will ensure the progress of your treatment and address any concerns promptly. Please contact Bracify 3D Orthodontics to provide comprehensive dental care and support you in achieving a healthy and beautiful smile while wearing braces.

The Link Between Digestive Problems and Crooked Teeth

The Link Between Digestive Problems and Crooked TeethWhile most people associate misaligned (“crooked”) teeth with detracting from appearance, misaligned teeth (malocclusion) can also negatively impact chewing. Issues with chewing can result in reduced nutritional intake and poor health. This is a major reason why it’s important for parents to have their children’s teeth examined by a dentist while still very young and take the proper steps to correct any malocclusion problems as soon as possible. For adults, it’s never too late to have teeth straightened – especially as it can improve digestive health in addition to dramatically improving facial appearance.

THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF TEETH IN GOOD DIGESTION

We usually think of digestion as beginning in the stomach and moving on through the rest of the digestive tract, but the process actually begins in the mouth: saliva and teeth grind to break down food, allowing the nutrients it contains to be fully processed and absorbed by the intestines.

Furthermore, human teeth are designed for performing different functions of chewing: our sharpest teeth, the incisors, for biting pieces of food and moving it back to the mouth. Just behind the incisors are the canine teeth, with longer roots, which also aid in tearing and holding food.

The molars immediately follow and, with their flatter surfaces, are responsible for grinding and breaking down the food, at which point it is sent down to the esophagus and from there down into the stomach and the rest of the digestive tract.

How you chew food is as important as the food itself: you can be making healthy food choices but if you aren’t able to take advantage of them by chewing properly, you can lose a lot of precious nutrients. This can negatively impact your immune system and your overall health.

PROBLEMS CAUSED BY TMJ

If temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is present, often shows up as pain that occurs with jaw movements, such as facial pain, headaches, or a bite that is uncomfortable, which will make it difficult to chew normally. In such cases, we may recommend dental guards, surgery, or dental implants, which closely resemble the natural teeth in appearance and function, and are inserted into the bony area of the jaw.

HOW AN ORTHODONTIST CAN HELP

Patients who have been referred to Bracify 3D Orthodontics for care are in need of a specialist in treating patients with misaligned tooth problems. After taking dental x-rays and making an impression of the teeth with a moldable material, we will usually determine a plan of treatment most appropriate for the specific condition.

For some patients, all that may be needed will be a retainer to stabilize teeth in the desired new position to correct the problem. If overcrowding is present, one or more teeth may have to be removed to allow those remaining to be re-positioned for better alignment. In other cases, braces, such as Invisalign, will also be necessary to correct misalignment issues, as determined by Bracify 3D Orthodontics. Please contact us for more information today!

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