How to Take Care of Your Retainer

How to Take Care of Your RetainerYour orthodontic care does not end when the aligners are removed. Retainers are essential to stabilizing your new tooth arrangement. The braces or aligners force the teeth to return to the mouth, which involves the absorption of bones at the back of the oral cavity. To maintain your new look, you must use the retainers for a period that has been determined by Bracify 3D Orthodontics. In many cases, patients must use these products for the rest of their lives. Depending on certain factors, the period can even be as short as three months. Retainers are used only intermittently, usually three to five times a week, for those who use them throughout their lives. The care of the retainers is essential to keeping your teeth in their new condition. The care of the retainers can be carried out as follows:

Clean Your Retainer Regularly

Treat your retainers as your own teeth! Carefully scrub your retainer with a toothbrush and water after each use. Avoid brushing the retainer with toothpaste, as the toothpaste might be abrasive and cause scratches that will make it difficult to clean the keep your retainer clean.

Wear Your Retainer Often

Use your retainer as often as recommended by your orthodontist. It’s best that you keep your retainer upright, so your smile stays perfect. Remember, retainers only work if you use them!

Avoid Heat On Your Retainer

Your retainer will only work if it fits properly! Your doctor will prepare it with the perfect support for your mouth, but it’s up to you to make sure it stays that way. Avoid leaving your retainer in a hot environment, such as a windowsill or a hot car. It will melt or wrap. Never put it in boiling water; you may think that boiling it is a great way to make it as clean as possible, but the heat will ruin it.

Keep Your Retainer Away From Pets

Yes, you love your furry best friend, but they have a special ability to snack on retainers. Keep your retainer safe and away from pets at all times.

Avoid Putting Napkins On Your Retainer

If you wrap your retainer in a napkin during meals, it may be easy for your waiter or you to throw it in the trash accidentally. To avoid getting into the bin, keep your retainer in its storage box!

Soak Your Retainer

To add extra cleaning to your retainer, try soaking it.You can buy retainer cleaner, which comes in tablet form, or you can make your own cleaning solution by mixing 1 part of sodium hypochlorite with ten parts of water. Soak for 5-10 minutes, and your retainer will be perfectly clean.

Replace Your Retainer When Needed

Even a well-made retainer eventually wears out. If you find that your retainer is deteriorating or behaving differently, contact your doctor. Replacing your retainer when due is an important part of maintaining your smile.

Carefully Put On And Take Off Your Retainer

When you put on your stand, make sure it is always on. There should be no gap between the teeth and the support. When removing it, do not twist it with your tongue or pull it to one side. Otherwise, the retainer may get damaged. Loosen your retainer in several places when you remove it and then ease it off. Do not forget to store it in its storage box!

Brush Your Teeth Before And After Wearing Your Retainer

Before and after putting on your retainer, brush your teeth. If you put your support on dirty teeth, your support will get dirty much faster, and it is not good for your teeth

Keep Your Retainer One Spot

It sounds obvious, but do not lose your retainer! Always keep it in the bag when not in use and keep it out of reach of dogs or children. If you lose it, make sure you replace it.

We cannot stress this point, use your support! Your teeth can change throughout your life. Even if you think your teeth are straight and will stay that way, it is essential that you continue to use your retainer! Taking care of your retainer will help to make your teeth look good and make the most of your investment, and do not forget to show off your big smile. For any retainer questions that you might have contact Bracify 3D Orthodontics.

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Tips to Enjoy Thanksgiving with Invisalign Braces

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Tips to Enjoy Thanksgiving with Invisalign Braces

Tips to Enjoy Thanksgiving with Invisalign BracesWe fit teens and adults with Invisalign clear braces. Adults love the idea of getting straighter teeth without the hassle and discomfort of wires and rubber. Teens love the aesthetics of the transparent aligners, which are invisible.

The treatment can take 12 to 18 months and the cost is comparable to fitting regular braces. The advantages, aside from convenience and cosmetics, are that the aligners are removable. You take them out at mealtime and eat normally.

With so much delicious food around during Thanksgiving and the holidays ahead, Invisalign wearers might be tempted to snack and nibble between meals without removing their aligners. The best advice, however, is to always remove your aligners when eating for numerous reasons.

3 Reasons To Remove Your Invisalign Braces Before Eating

1. You could damage your aligners. They are molded from thin plastic. Bite down on that candy cane or almond and you could crack, bend, or punch a hole in your aligner.
2. Your aligners don’t come with spares. Ruin or break one, and it’s back to Bracify 3D Orthodontics for a refit.
3. Trying to eat food while wearing Invisalign is awkward. Even if the snack is soft and gooey, it will likely stick over and around your aligners. It likely will not be an enjoyable experience, and you will have to remove the aligners to clean them anyway.

Suggestions for Holiday Eating with Invisalign Braces

Snack Less
You don’t have to drastically change your eating habits with Invisalign. On the other hand, since you need to remove your aligners each time you eat, you might find it more convenient to pass up frequent, light eating in favor of less frequent, heavier meals. Instead of reaching for that peppermint candy cane or hard sugar cookie, wait until mealtime. You’ll have a better appetite, and you’ll pass up all those empty calories. You will also spare your teeth from contact with all that sugar.

Eat Softer Foods
If Thanksgiving and the holidays occur during a time when you have just switched to a new set of aligners, the new fit might cause your teeth to be a bit tender. Pass up the turkey drumstick and have a slice of tender white meat. Load up on the mashed potatoes and stuffing, and enjoy a dollop of chocolate pudding for dessert.

Minimize Eating Discomfort
When it is time to start using a new set of aligners, we recommend putting them in at bedtime. Your teeth will have several hours to adjust to the new fit, and you’ll be ready to enjoy that holiday meal. You also might want to take an anti-inflammatory over-the-counter medication an hour before eating to relieve any tenderness.

Invisalign is your best choice

Invisalign treatment will straighten your teeth and restore your smile. Bracify 3D Orthodontics have the skills and experience to help you towards that goal.

Have a question or want to know more about Invisalign treatment? Click here to go to our contact page.

National Orthodontic Health Month

National Orthodontic Health MonthFor many, the month of October means the beginning of fall, the start of football, and preparing for the upcoming holidays. However, at Alameda Pediatric Dentistry, we know that October also stands for National Orthodontic Health Month. This month, we want to talk to you about the importance and benefits of orthodontic care and ways to protect your smile this month.

During October, orthodontic offices across the nation work together to celebrate healthy smiles and educate their communities about the benefits and importance of orthodontic treatment. A healthy smile is for everyone, and you are never too young or old to start your journey towards obtaining a beautiful smile.

This October, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) has teamed up with the national organization Stand for the Silent to fight against bullying. This year’s theme is #bullyingbites as 7/10 people admit to being self-conscious of their teeth as it has been a common target for bullies over the years.

Signs and Symptoms

Common warning signs that you or a loved one may need orthodontic care can include the following:

  • Clicking or popping of the jaw joints
  • Crossbite, overbite, and protruding teeth
  • Crowded, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth
  • Difficulty chewing or biting
  • Grinding or clenching of teeth
  • Mouth breathing
  • Speech problems
  • Teeth that don’t come together

The Importance of Orthodontic Care

The AAO recommends parents and caregivers bring their children to the orthodontist between the ages of 7-8 for their first examination. During this time, children undergo major growth spurts that can affect the development of their teeth and jaws. By visiting the orthodontist early on, your child’s growth can be monitored, and our team can determine if early treatment is necessary. Early treatment can prevent conditions from worsening and lower the risk for more complex and costly procedures.

Orthodontic care does more than straighten misaligned teeth to improve the appearance of your smile. An improper bite or misaligned teeth can result in an increased risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss as well as affect your jaw’s ability to function properly.

Though many imagine orthodontic care to be mostly for children and teenagers as their bones and teeth are still developing and adjusting, orthodontic care is for everyone regardless of age. In fact, many adults seek treatment to correct long-standing problems or fix changes that may have occurred later in life.

Halloween Tips

Though we may spend the month celebrating healthy smiles in October, we know many of our patients may be getting ready to celebrate Halloween at the end of the month. We have a few tips and recommendations to help you navigate the holiday so that you can keep your smile happy and healthy.

If you have orthodontic appliances such as braces or a retainer, be mindful of sticky, crunchy, chewy, and hard snacks and candies. Treats such as caramel, gummies, taffy, gum, and jellybeans may damage or become stuck in between your appliances. We also recommend patients be wary of hard treats like Jolly Ranchers, nuts, chips, and popcorn that put pressure on your appliances causing them to break, damage brackets or bands, or injure the soft tissues in your mouth.

With all the excitement during the fun-filled night, please remember to brush and floss. You should take extra care during this sugary month by drinking plenty of water, brushing twice a day, and flossing before bed. For more information on orthodontic care and how to keep your teeth healthy this month, please contact Bracify 3D Orthodontics today!.

Are Braces Right for Me?

Are Braces Right for MeAbout three out of four people could benefit from braces, but not everyone opts for this corrective dental intervention. This is unfortunate since the benefits of braces can be dramatic and last a lifetime.

Every person’s mouth and every set of teeth are different. So it stands to reason that sometimes, a person’s teeth don’t come in right, or just don’t fit along the gum line neatly. In fact, it’s quite common for patients of all ages to come to (insert Dr’s name) for braces, in order to align their teeth properly, beautify their smiles, and to create proper alignment. However, beyond a perfect smile, braces provide numerous other benefits.

Reasons to Get Braces

Braces Can Prevent Tooth Decay
Misaligned teeth are a bit like misaligned tires. They can wear down more quickly with normal use. When teeth are not aligned properly, upper and lower teeth can rub together in ways that wear down the tooth enamel quickly. When optimal tooth alignment is achieved, the teeth will last longer and tooth decay will be a much less prevalent problem.

Braces Can Help To Prevent Heart Disease
When malocclusions (misaligned teeth) are not remedied- as we pointed out- the teeth will sustain undue damage which can be avoided and lead to degraded oral health. One of the most life-threatening problems that can arise from poor oral health is heart disease. Heart disease can be caused when excess plaque on the teeth and gums finds its way into sores in the mouth that result from an unhealthy dentition. When this happens, plaque can find its way into the bloodstream where it can contribute to the clogging of the arteries.

Braces Can Avoid Health Complications
Heart disease is not the only health problem that can stem from malocclusions. Overbite, underbite, and other misalignments of the teeth can cause a whole range of problems with mild to severe consequences. Headaches, earaches, difficulty or discomfort while chewing and biting, speech impediments, and even painful disorders of the jaw can result. When these problems are caused by malocclusion, braces can almost always remedy them.

Better Confidence and Self Esteem With Braces
Of course, straighter teeth make a more beautiful and healthy smile- and that’s something that can improve our private and professional lives in many ways.

Types of Low-Visibility Braces

Many people avoid getting braces because they feel it will negatively affect their appearance. But there are low visibility options available, among others.

Invisible Braces
Invisible braces are clear and very hard to spot if you aren’t looking for them. They are transparent aligners that straighten the teeth just like normal braces.

Lingual Braces
This type of braces are very similar to traditional braces, but they are mounted on the back side of the teeth. They are completely hidden.

Ceramic Braces
Like invisible and ordinary braces, ceramic braces are mounted on the front of the teeth. The difference is that they are the same color as tooth enamel and are harder to see.

With all these reasons and all these options- it just doesn’t make sense to avoid what could be a life-changing procedure. If you are interested in transforming your smile and improving your teeth’s alignment, contact Bracify 3D Orthodontics today!

Keep Your Teeth Healthy While Wearing Braces

Keep Your Teeth Healthy While Wearing Braces

Step Up Your Game

Questionable dental hygiene practices need to be benched. When you wear braces, cleaning teeth and gums properly takes on extra importance. Brushing and flossing should be done a minimum of twice a day, but it is a good idea to clean teeth after meals to prevent build-up around the brackets. Brushing more frequently does not mean brushing more aggressively. In fact, being gentle is important, so wires and brackets are not damaged.

Choose a soft-bristled brush, a fluoride toothpaste, and rinse. We recommend brushing after each meal to dislodge food particles. Floss gently by threading the floss between the wire and teeth, working it back and forth slowly.

An Ounce Of Prevention

Before brushing it is wise to rinse the mouth with water to remove that first layer of debris left on teeth after meals. Make sure you have at least a soft-bristled brush and floss with you at all times. Angle the brush, so the bristles reach under the wire and clean as close to the brackets as possible. End the night with a fluoride rinse to strengthen enamel and help prevent decay.

Things To Avoid While Wearing Braces

As much as you may miss your sweet treats, that radiant smile will be worth it on reveal day. Drs. Birth, Stewart, & Fletcher will provide a list of foods to avoid. If you are unsure about a food or treat, ask yourself if it is sticky, chewy, or hard? Sticky sweets tend to get stuck in brackets and under wires. Hard, crunchy food like pretzels, or even ice cubes, have the potential to break wires and dislodge or break brackets. It is wise to avoid chewing on the ends of pencils or pens. Even nail biters can cause inadvertent damage to braces.

Dental Hygiene On The Go

Create a mini dental hygiene kit to take on the go. Include a soft-bristled travel toothbrush and a mini tube of fluoride toothpaste. Make it a habit to visit the restroom after each snack and meal to do a quick rinse and brush. Spending a few minutes to remove food particles from teeth surfaces goes a long way in preventing staining and decay.

Protect Your Investment

Braces should not be a deterrent to participation in sports. A number of different mouth guards are available that protect braces, teeth, and the inside of the mouth from damage. The American Dental Association recommends the use of mouth guards on both top and bottom teeth.

Visit The Dentist

Besides regular visits to the orthodontist, you should still visit the regular dentist for cleaning and check-ups twice a year. The dentist can help identify areas you need to strengthen in your dental hygiene routine. For example, if plaque has begun to build-up between teeth, a lesson in proper flossing techniques is in order. Bracify 3D Orthodontics enjoy helping our patients maximize the benefits of braces with diligent dental hygiene.

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