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.

What is a Malocclussion?

A malocclusion is the technical term for crooked teeth. When your teeth are not properly spaced, different sizes, or positioned out of the smile line, you have a malocclusion. Malocclusion in children usually improves over time, but in adults it will usually worsen.

You may not think your crooked teeth are anything to worry about, but they can affect your oral health. Crooked teeth tend to be harder to clean and food can get trapped in between teeth more easily. Sometimes they can affect your speech or ability to chew and bite properly as well. From a psychological standpoint, crooked teeth can make a person feel self conscious about the appearance of their smile.

Malocclusion is resolved with orthodontic treatment. Usually braces are the most common form, taking anywhere from two to three years to straighten all teeth. There are other options like Invisalign, oral surgery, but most patients are better candidates for braces. 

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.

Cleaning Your Teeth with Braces

Maintaining your oral hygiene with braces can be difficult, but is even more important since those with braces have a higher chance of experiencing decay after their treatment is over. This happens because the orthodontic appliances block areas normally exposed during brushing and flossing. To ensure a thorough cleaning, follow these tips:

• Brush along the line of the wires and alternately along the tops of the wire and from below with the brush at a 90 degree angle. This helps get underneath the wires and closer to the brackets.
• Use special tools for cleaning around braces like interdental brushes and threaded floss to make your hygiene routine a little bit easier.
• Use mouthwashes with flouride after a thorough brushing to help prevent decay.

Keeping your teeth clean and free of decay also depends on what you eat. Avoid eating sugary foods that can get stuck between teeth in hard to reach areas. Nuts can also cause this problem, so if you do happen to have foods that can lodge in between teeth, remember to floss as soon as possible.

Braces tend to make cleaning your teeth a little bit more challenging, but this should not cause you to skip out on any parts of a good hygiene routine. Follow these cleaning tips and eat healthy foods to prevent tooth decay. Visit our website for more details on how to clean your teeth with braces. 

Las Vegas Orthodontics Practice Reviews Holiday Care Tips.

Orthodontist in Las Vegas discusses ways to avoid tooth decay.

It’s the holiday season and there are lots of sweet and sugary foods around.  If a food highly consistent of sugar is stuck to your teeth for more than 20 minutes you may risk a breakdown of tooth enamel, which can lead to tooth decay and/or gum disease.

We recommend that patients avoid chewing on candy cane or hard candy – these types of “sweets” can cause the most damage. If you are eating foods high in sugar and starch we recommend that you brush your teeth immediately and/or rinse your mouth with water.

Also, it is very important for you to maintain your regular checkups with your dentist. If you have any more questions please call us at 702.463.7400 or visit Las Vegas Orthodontist.

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