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Braces for All Ages

Popular culture loves to tell that braces are exclusively for teenagers during the most awkward years of adolescence. The reality is that a straight, bright smile is desirable for patients of all ages. Since the 1990s, the growth of adult patients seeking braces to correct crooked, crowded and otherwise imperfect smiles has rapidly grown. This is not to say children and young adults are not also still getting braces, rather the pool of options available has made getting a straight smile easier and more affordable. That, and the power of a million-dollar smile, has become increasingly important.

Whether you are looking for braces for your child or yourself, there are some key differences in orthodontic care for adults and children. Adults often have pre-existing conditions that children do not, as a result of their long-term dental care routines and genetics. Things such as insufficient bone, bone loss, and gingivitis infections can make treatment longer or a more involved process. Adult teeth and bone are also harder and more resistant to moving so there are biomechanical limitations for adult patients. Additionally, space in the mouth can be a problem for adults, whether it’s too much from extractions or too little requiring extractions. Growing bone in children and young adults is much more responsive to creating and minimizing space. Even with the potential challenges of adult braces and orthodontic treatment, there are still many things that anyone of any age must know before proceeding.

Regardless of your age, braces or orthodontic work is a commitment with lots of care and even lifestyle changes to ensure results. For braces, you will need to dedicate time for checkups. Orthodontists will want to check on your progress and make adjustments as often as every four weeks. Finding the time for yourself, or child, amid work and other activities can be difficult. Additionally, with braces, certain foods are off limits that can be difficult to manage in younger patients and adults alike. Things such as popcorn and sticky candies can break brackets and cause damage. Another tricky change is to dental hygiene. Braces wearers teeth cleaning routines become longer and more frequent. Brushing and flossing after every meal or snack are recommended by many dentists and orthodontists for those with braces. The metal, wires, and brackets can make both of these regular routines much more difficult and time-consuming. Whether you opt for traditional braces, invisible aligners, ceramic braces, or braces on the interior of your teeth, the care and keeping routines are more extensive than not having braces.

Choosing the right type of braces generally requires a consult with an orthodontist. If you or your child are ready for a straight smile, Dr. Marc S. Wright is here for you.

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National Children’s Dental Health Month

Did you know February is National Children’s Dental Health Month? The observance of this important health concern during the month of February is to bring dedicated dental professionals, health care professionals, educators and the community together to understand the importance and benefits of good oral health.  Whether you’ve got a brand new bundle of joy or are managing a child in the thick of adolescence, it never hurts to brush up on the latest in oral healthcare for kids. Here are some quick tips to help your child’s oral health:

  • It’s never too early to start good oral hygiene habits
    • Did you know even an infant without teeth can benefit from having their gums gently cleaned with water soaked gauze or clean, damp washcloth?
    • When your baby does get teeth, it’s important to brush them gently with a soft-bristle toothbrush using a thin smear of fluoride toothpaste
    • Your child’s first dentist appointment should be around the first birthday and established regularly
    • Three is the recommended age to begin teaching your child normal brushing techniques, with a small pea-sized dollop of paste
  • You can avoid excess or prolonged consumption of sugar
    • When you consume sugar, the bacteria process it into acid which damages tooth enamel and leads to cavities
    • Reducing sugary snacks and keeping only water in baby bottles at night is the best way to reduce sugar-related tooth decay
  • Prevention of dental accidents is possible
    • For small children, it’s important to make your home a safe place through childproofing because over half of dental injuries to primary teeth are a result of playing near home furniture
    • Ensure kids that are highly active, in contact sports or other activities have the appropriate oral protection gear
  • Fluoridated water can protect kids’ teeth
    • It’s wise to ensure that your water supply contains fluoride, and, if not, talk to your dentist about supplementing through toothpaste, oral rinses, and food

Your child’s dental professional is a partner in health care. There to help prevent disease, lookout for cavities, and watch out for developmental issues, you should always be able to ask important dental questions. Dr. Marc S. Wright is here to help you with all your questions whether it’s your child’s oral health or your own. Call us today!

 

 

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You Want Your Smile to Leave a First Impression

You never have a second chance to make a first impression, so it’s important to make sure the first impression is a good and lasting one. Unsurprisingly, when it comes to making a good first impression, your smile can really make or break it.

Our basic behaviors such as smiling, gestures and appearance, are psychological cues designed to communicate nonverbally. This is what makes them so critical in first impressions. Through your gestures, posture, and even smile you are actively communicating with someone even before you are verbally communicating with them! Does your smile reflect what you want it to say about you?

First and foremost, smiling communicates positivity and sets the tone to an interaction upfront. A healthy smile not only communicates positivity and sets the tone, but studies also show that a great deal more is perceived from straight, healthy, pearly white teeth.

Did you know that straight, pearly white teeth are perceived to be an indicator of confidence, success, trustworthiness, a good social life, and even a good personality? According to a recent perception study conducted by Kelton for Invisalign®, researchers found that the alignment of teeth is a catalyst for assumptions regarding popularity, intelligence, success, and general health. The survey of over 1,000 people nationally provides a deeper look at how important your smile can really be in leaving a good first impression.

The significance of a first impression is so profound that it can even affect your consideration for jobs and love life. Because speaking is our primary form of communication, your smile almost always has an audience. That audience is making decisions about you based on not only the things you say but the aesthetics too – including your smile! That’s why it is important to make sure your teeth look their best and represent who you are as an individual.

While the impression you leave on others is reason enough to ensure your smile is straight and bright, there are other benefits for the individual.  People with a great smile tend to have more outward confidence. Those with teeth that are discolored, misaligned or otherwise not “in-shape” may feel less confident and therefore refrain from engaging with others.

Your healthy smile begins with a healthy everyday care routine including brushing and flossing. Regular check-ups and cleanings by a professional also help to keep your pearly whites looking their best. For things such as missing, crooked, and broken teeth, there are options. Many of which you can discuss with Dr. Marc S. Wright. From invisible braces to implants and professional whitening the options to achieving your “million-dollar smile” are numerous! Dr. Marc S. Wright and his team are always happy to guide you toward the best way to keep your smile healthy and bright, feel free to call us with any questions.

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New Year, New Smile!

Every New Year comes and people all over the world resolve to achieve a slew of self-improvement goals. Each year one of the top-10 New Year’s resolutions, if not the number one resolution, is to improve health. While many of us will focus on losing weight, one health-related resolution you may not have considered is to improve your smile! A great smile can improve confidence and help you leave a lasting first impression.

Why to Improve Your Smile

Resolving to improve your smile in the New Year can have multiple benefits. A great smile can:

  • Make you look younger
    • Yellowing teeth come with age, don’t let your smile give away how old you really are
  • Boost your confidence
    • A beautiful smile can make a world of difference in leaving a great first impression, have the confidence of knowing your smile will always impress
  • Oral health
    • Your teeth can signify health problems, and a crooked or yellowing smile may actually contribute to worsened oral and overall health. Working with your dentist and orthodontist to improve your smile this year can actually also improve your health!

Easy Ways to Improve Your Smile

You can help to transform your smile this year with a few steps without a dental professional. Some tips include:

  • Eat fruits and vegetables
    • Antioxidants and nutrients found in fruits and vegetables help to keep your teeth strong and fight periodontal disease. Crisp fruits and vegetables such as apples, carrots, and celery can help to clean plaque from your teeth and help to freshen breath.
  • Limit alcohol intake
    • Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to increased gum recession and poorer overall oral health
  • Quit tobacco
    • Tobacco use can harm your health in a number of ways, but it can take a serious toll on oral health resulting in discoloration, gum recession, gum disease and recession
  • Perfect your daily routine
    • Brushing at least twice and day and flossing once per day can have a dramatic effect on your smile if you’re not already doing so daily

Professional Dental Makeovers

Another way to transform your smile this year is through Dr. Marc S. Wright. There are a variety of affordable treatments to consider to whiten and straighten your teeth. A consultation with Dr. Marc S. Wright will help you to determine the best options.

Get the confidence and health benefits of a beautiful smile this year! It is an achievable resolution with multiple benefits for you and your wellbeing. Dr. Marc S. Wright and his team are here to help you with you with your smile goals. Call us today to learn more about how you can have your own million dollar smile this year.

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Travel Necessities for Oral Hygiene

Traveling can take its toll on your regular routines, especially during the holidays. Exercise, diet, and even hygiene can get out of whack when you hit the road or take to the skies. Your oral care routine doesn’t have to suffer just because you’re on the go. Some necessities for a healthy smile during your next trip include:

The Right Toothbrush Container

Your toothbrush container should be large enough, with holes to provide air circulation and requires regular washing to avoid bacterial growth. It is important to allow your toothbrush to air dry. Remove from the container upon arrival to your destination and leave out overnight.

A Backup Plan

Know your proximity to the supplies you may need and have a backup plan, or even bring back up when traveling on extended trips. Having the basics in both your suitcase and carry on for a long trip could come in handy if your bag doesn’t make that connecting flight. Additionally, it’s important to know if the water in your destination is potable. If it’s not safe to drink, it’s not safe for oral care! Use water bottles or filtered water for both drinking and oral care.

Xylitol Gum, Sugarless Candies, & Green Tea Extract

Easy to pack aides for your oral health while traveling can actually be small things such as xylitol gum, and sugarless candies and treats with green tea extract. These little treats can help protect your mouth by increasing the saliva production and fight harmful bacteria.

Dedication to routines and habits

Vacations often change our schedules, and we aim to relax. While you certainly should kick up your feet and enjoy your vacation, it is important to recognize that this shift in schedule can have an impact on your health, including oral health. Increased sugar and alcohol consumption can contribute to tooth decay. It’s important to travel prepared and do your best to maintain your healthy brushing and consumption routines. Contact our office should you ever have any questions!

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Managing the Holidays with Braces

Braces come with a lot of special care requirements. With the holiday season right around the corner, there are a lot of hidden challenges to face in relation to the care and keeping of your braces and oral hygiene. From travel to holiday foods, not all the holiday hazards are avoidable. With diligence, common sense and a few extra steps can help you stay on track to a beautiful smile.

Holiday Foods to Watch Out For

There are everyday foods your orthodontist will advise against eating when you have braces. This is to prevent damage and protect the overall health of your teeth. Nuts, popcorn, hard candy, and caramel are all things that make the “what not to eat” list.  The tricky part of the holiday season for braces wearers is the abundance of these hazardous treats. Whether it’s caramel apples to ring in the fall or pecan pie at big holiday meals, these seasonal treats are still potentially damaging. Though it is best to continue avoiding these foods, it doesn’t mean all holiday treats are off the list. Look for softer treats such as pumpkin pie, ice cream, fruit cups, gelatin desserts, and even thinly sliced apples dipped in chocolate or yogurt. Having braces doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy holiday treats. It just means to continue using the same care and consideration you would on any other day.

Holiday Hygiene

Traveling and added sweets during the holiday season make managing your oral care routine extra important. Normally, The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that patients brush and floss after eating sweets, but you may want to take it a step further according to some dentists. Brushing as soon as five minutes following a meal or snack is another recommendation.

Overall, it is important for orthodontia wearers to remember to dedicate extra time to brushing and flossing properly. It may help to keep a travel toothbrush and supplies handy. Though it is not a substitute for brushing, rinses may be especially pivotal to maintaining oral health when access to running water to brush teeth is not available, such as during holiday travel. Don’t forget bottled water is always a usable option in lieu of potable sink water!

The holidays are a season for celebration and family time. Even with braces, you can indulge and enjoy this time of year. Just be sure to watch out for treats that may be a hazard to your smile and always remember to maintain the cleaning routine and practices as directed by your orthodontist. Dr. Marc S. Wright and his team are always happy to guide you on the best way to keeping your smile healthy and bright. Feel free to call us with any questions.

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Tips for Flossing With Braces

Getting braces comes with a variety of new oral care challenges and special steps. Flossing with braces is one such challenge that people regularly face, and it isn’t always easy. To help, here are three quick tips to make the process easier and ensure your teeth are getting properly cleaned:

1. Use Waxed Floss
Regular uncoated flosses can get stuck and shred more easily in the wires and brackets of braces. Waxed floss and dental tape are more durable when maneuvering. There are even specially designed floss products for those with braces.

2. Give Yourself Enough Floss
Most people don’t realize how much floss they should actually be using every time. It’s recommended to use about 18 inches of floss every time. (Yes, that’s a foot and a half!) You should be using a clean floss segment or section every time you move from tooth to tooth. This helps remove germs and bacteria more effectively.

3. Thread & Maneuver Carefully
Braces are a delicate obstacle to flossing. First, thread the floss carefully under the main wire before passing it through the pair of teeth. Trying to pass it through the teeth first, can damage wires if not done gently and make it more difficult overall to floss. It is also best not to snap the floss and instead move it up and down gently along the sides of each tooth.

Other dental care products can help ease the flossing process when you have braces. Floss threaders and water picks can be used with braces and are all designed to help keep your smile healthy and bright. Dr. Marc S. Wright and his team are always happy to help you get the technique just right and answer any questions you may have. Contact us today!

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Tips for Keeping a Healthy Smile This Halloween

October brings out the ghost and ghouls, wizards and witches, and a great deal of fun for the whole family. Even though it is a wonderful time of year to celebrate and indulge, the excess intake of sugar can also bring on dental issues and toothaches! It’s important to take a few extra steps to keep your family’s smiles bright, healthy and cavity-free during this holiday. We’ve put together the top tips and tricks to help:

1.    Control The Candy Haul
An easy way to lessen the sugar overload is to downsize your children’s trick-or-treat bags and limit the time in which they have to participate in collecting treats. This is probably the simplest way to reduce the overall volume of sugary treats. The activity of trick-or-treating can still be a great deal of fun if the emphasis is placed on decorating their container before they go out rather than how much candy they collect.

2.    Limit Access to Treats Through “Treat Time”
Another quick way to keep smiles healthy and cavity free is to limit all day grazing on candy. Instead, set a specific “treat time”, or allow a treat only with meals. This strategy can help to minimize all day candy consumption and binges. Mealtime is an easy time to remember and manage the intake of treats. Kids will look forward to the meal knowing they are able to have a treat with it. Even more beneficial, during meal consumption additional saliva is created to help clean the mouth. If you set a specific treat time outside of meals, have kids rinse their mouth with water to help further break down sticky sugars.

3.    Hone Your Candy Knowledge
Not all candy is created equal when it comes to your dental health. Candies that are chewy and sour have a tendency to stick to the teeth longer allowing sugars to cause more damage, while chocolates dissolve more quickly. The best bet is dark chocolate that has less overall sugar and does not stick to teeth as easily.

4.    Add Some Extras To Your Regular Routine
Maintaining your regular diet and oral care routine is important every day, but even more so during holidays. Keeping a regular healthy eating routine will help to limit the impact sugar takes on your smile. Just like your diet, keeping up all your regular oral care routines is critical. Also, this Halloween, whether it’s an extra brush, floss, or rinse (even with water) after you eat sweets you’ll be doing your mouth a world of good in preventing cavities.

5.    Get A Halloween Toothbrush
It may sound strange, but you can make oral care more fun during Halloween by having your kids pick out a new “Halloween Toothbrush”. Letting them pick out their favorite character and designating the brush for the Holiday will help kids look forward to practicing good oral hygiene during the holiday!

Halloween is a time for tricks, treats and family fun. Common sense and the tips above can help you keep the whole family’s smile healthy, while still enjoying a little indulgence in the holiday festivities. . Dr. Marc S. Wright and the team are always here to help you with any of your questions.