Avoiding Orthodontic Relapse

Just because you have worn braces and have straightened your teeth, it doesn't mean they will stay straight forever. It is important to care for your newly aligned teeth in order to make sure your results are long lasting. There are two main things you must do in order to make sure the months (or years) of wearing braces were worth it.

First, when you get your braces off, you will have to wear your retainers for a majority of the day. For the first year, you will only remove your retainers when eating or brushing your teeth. Always make sure to brush your braces gently with warm water and toothpaste every day to keep them clean.

After a year has passed, the second thing you must do is make sure you wear your retainers to bed every night. You will enjoy not having to wear them during the day, but don't assume that skipping out on your retainers a few nights will be okay. If this happens, you will notice that after the first night of wearing them again you will feel sore. Your teeth will still be somewhat loose, so always wear your retainers!

If you ever break or lose your retainers, call use immediately to have a replacement made. Learn more about  orthodontic relapse and give us a call at (702) 838-0707.

The Benefits of Straight Teeth

Never take things for granted. This saying can apply to many aspects of your life, including health. Those with straight teeth may not even realize how lucky they are if they don't understand the benefits of having straight teeth. If your teeth are crooked you may be familiar with how difficult it can be to thoroughly clean your teeth. Depending on the severity of your personal case, you may get cavities easier than others and you may even have a harder time pronouncing certain words or taking a clean bite when eating.

Teeth that are perfectly aligned help improve the look of your smile, but they also greatly improve your oral health. There are many benefits of having straight teeth. The most important ones are the ability to keep your teeth clean and to use them properly for biting and speaking. For more information on the benefits of straight teeth as well as how you can straighten your teeth, read about it on our page.

Orthodontics- A Dental Specialty

Orthodontists straighten teeth with special attention to both the aesthetics of a smile and the function of a bite. You might already know that orthodontists help patients straighten their teeth with the use of braces, but did you know that to be a specialist, one must go through extra training beyond what is required of a general dentist? They must pass the Dental Admission Test even before going to dental school. Braces are kept on sometimes for years at a time, and an experienced orthodontist can help make the process as painless as possible. In order to get the best results with your new smile, make sure you are being treated by an experienced licensed orthodontist.  At Braces Las Vegas, Dr. Kate Nguyen is our orthodontic specialist, having graduated with a BS in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine, and her doctorate, a DDS, MS from the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Francisco. Read more about her and general orthodontics at our website. 

Foods to Avoid with Braces

Before getting your braces, you might want to enjoy foods like hard candies and whole apples while you can. While braces are sturdy and made to adhere to your teeth for months and even years, some foods can damage your brackets and wires, so you will have to put off eating those foods until your braces come off. Basically anything hard that is meant to be chewed, or anything highly acidic should either be eaten in very small quantities or avoided altogether.

Certain foods can also do damage to your enamel, so it is important to be aware of the foods you consume and which ones are safer options with braces. The last thing you want to deal with is the extra cost of repairing your orthodontic gear or going through extra treatments to whiten teeth. For more information on specific foods to avoid while wearing braces, visit our page.

Getting Used to Your New Braces

Wearing braces for the first time can take some getting used to. The feeling of the brackets and wires in your mouth may feel foreign at first, but over time you will forget they are even there! While you are getting used to your new braces, there are some things you can do to help alleviate any discomfort felt from your braces. From taking over the counter painkillers to monitoring what you eat, there are many ways to make your braces experience more pleasant. For tips on how to alleviate braces discomfort, visit our site. 

Professional Teeth Cleanings with Braces

Having your teeth cleaned by a professional dental hygienist is important, especially for those who wear braces. Even without braces, you will never be able to clean your teeth with brushing and flossing as thoroughly as a professional cleaning. Hygienists use special tools that give your gums a deep cleaning, preventing decay and infections. With braces, it is especially important to remember your professional cleanings because your orthodontic appliances make some areas around the teeth almost impossible to clean. Learn more about how the treatment differs from a normal cleaning on out page.

Don't forget to schedule your professional cleanings every six months. It might help to schedule them during your adjustment sessions, this way the arch wire will be removed, your teeth can be cleaned, and a new wire can be put in, cutting down on your trips to the dentist.

Retainers

Maintaining your new and improved bite once your braces come off is just as important as your orthodontic treatment. Retainers help make this possible, and can make your results last for many many years if you take the time to wear them as prescribed. There are different kinds of retainers and how long you wear yours will depend on your treatment. If you have retainers and would like more information on when to wear them, how to clean them, and what to do if they are damaged, read more at our website.

Benefits of Teeth Straightening

Teeth straightening is often perceived as a phase for kids, braces are seen as something one endures when going through high school. Now, an increasing number of adults are turning to orthodontics to get the perfect smile, especially with the popularity of less perceptible options like invisalign and clear braces. While teeth straightening is most often done for aesthetics, it also serves as a way to improve dental function and hygiene. A last and often underestimated benefit of straighter teeth is the positive psychological effect.  

Dental function increases with the application of teeth straightening, as teeth are properly aligned and coordinated to allow chewing, talking, and moving the jaw from side to side. An increase in dental function also means that forces on teeth are balanced when they are in use, helping teeth last longer and avoiding unnecessary wear. In general, straighter teeth are easier to clean, allowing access to more surface area for brushing and flossing than crowded teeth. This lessens the amount of plaque buildup and prevents cavities.

The psychological effect of having a better smile is another great benefit of teeth straightening. During adolescent years, having straight teeth can significantly improve one’s self esteem. However, even in adults, orthodontic treatment is shown to enhance social and career success, and positively influences others’ perception of our intelligence, likability, and trustworthiness. 

To learn more about teeth straightening, its benefits, the process and more, visit our FAQ page.