The Oral Health Connection

The Oral Health ConnectionFrom a young age, we are taught the importance of taking care of our teeth with brushing and flossing to prevent cavities and other painful oral conditions, but poor oral hygiene can lead to more than a toothache. Did you know that your oral health and general health are connected?

Research shows that poor oral health can be associated with several major health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. This information is especially important for patients who are undergoing or considering orthodontic treatment, as appliances sometimes increase bacterial growth in your mouth which may lead to complications. Fortunately, our team is here to ensure your oral health is well managed so that your smile can remain happy and healthy.

How can my oral health affect my general health?

Your mouth can be a window into your body’s overall health and wellness as many signs of infection, nutritional deficiencies, and warning signs of serious health conditions often present themselves in your oral health. Your mouth is filled with countless bacteria, some good and some bad. The overgrowth of bad bacteria can cause tooth decay and periodontal disease, also known as gum disease.

Gum disease is a condition where bacterial growth within the mouth results in an infection of the surrounding and supporting soft tissue of teeth. One of the most common causes of gum disease is the build-up of plaque that hardens into tartar which can only be removed by professionals. This buildup irritates the gums causing them to become swollen, red, and recede. As they recede higher, the infection continues to spread and can lead to eventual tooth and bone loss.

Braces and other orthodontic appliances provide extra surface areas in the mouth for harmful bacteria to grow. We understand brushing and flossing can become difficult with braces in the way, however, it is a vital part of maintaining your oral health and hygiene. Failing to brush and floss daily with braces can impact your treatment, oral health, and increase your risk for other conditions.

Conditions Associated with Gum Disease

Harmful bacteria and infection can easily spread from the mouth to the rest of the body through the bloodstream. For patients with gum disease, the added bacteria in your mouth can increase your risk for infections and certain health conditions including the following:

  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • High blood sugar and pressure
  • Obesity
  • Respiratory conditions

Although gum disease may contribute to these conditions, it is important to note that just because these conditions may occur at the same time, does not mean that one directly caused the other. Studies show that conditions that lower your body’s resistance to infection are likely to increase your risk for other health complications including oral health conditions.

Signs

Common signs of gum disease may include the following:

  • Bad breath
  • Frequent mouth infections
  • Gums that bleed when you floss or brush
  • Loose teeth
  • Pus between teeth and gums
  • Swollen, red, and tender gums
  • Unpleasant taste in the mouth

If you notice any of these symptoms, bring them to our attention as these signs may be signs of gum disease or other serious health conditions.

Orthodontic Care and Good Oral Health Practices

If you have gum disease or a serious condition that can increase your risk of bacterial infections, orthodontic treatment may or not be possible. In moderate to severe cases, gum disease can cause your teeth to shift into undesirable positions during treatment. In other cases, the inflammation of gums may cause bleeding and sores due to friction against the appliances during treatment which can lead to infection. These complications may cause treatment to stop early to avoid increasing patient risk of infection. However, that doesn’t mean that if you are diabetic and have gum disease you are unable to receive orthodontic care. We will conduct a thorough evaluation of your teeth to determine the best course of treatment for your needs to ensure your oral health. Always tell your oral health care team about any changes in your health, especially if you have other health conditions such as lung disease, diabetes, or heart disease as well as any medications you are on as these may affect your treatment and oral health.

To best protect your mouth, it is important to practice good oral health practices regularly and attend routine professional cleanings throughout the year. You should brush at least twice a day for two minutes at a 45-degree angle with an ADA-approved toothbrush and toothpaste. Flossing helps to remove plaque and food particles that can’t be removed with brushing and we recommend patients floss at least once a day. You should replace your toothbrush every three months or once the bristles begin to break down.

Though brushing and floss can be your main defense against oral complications, routine exams and cleanings are also important as our staff is trained to identify and treat oral health conditions and look for signs that may cause concern. For more information about the importance of your oral health or to schedule an appointment, please contact Bracify 3D Orthodontics today.

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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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