Waterpik Water Flossing With Braces – Braces Las Vegas

Braces are notoriously known for being hard to maintain as traditional metal or ceramic braces cannot be removed like Invisalign braces are capable of. This means that simple procedures such as brushing and flossing your teeth become slightly more difficult.

Regular string flossing is still recommended!

Truth is: many people do not understand how to properly floss with orthodontic appliances in their mouth. Special flossers exist to make the process easier, but sometime we just want something that is convenient and doesn’t require any special technique.

Waterpik® Flossing With Braces

Arguably one of the best ways to floss with braces, the Waterpik® is a tool that can be used at-home for a deeper clean than what standard dental floss offers. Both work very well, but the Waterpik’s pressurized stream of water penetrates deeper as it has the ability to remove biofilm – a substance that cannot be effectively removed through regular flossing and brushing. It can also penetrate deeper into our periodontal pockets, fending off periodontal disease while keeping our gums strong.

The reason the Waterpik® is simple for those with braces is because all you have to do is fill the machine with water, turn it on, and point it in the direction that you want to apply pressurized water too. The pressure is strong enough to remove any food particles stuck in between or around the wires and brackets without hassling with string.

Most water flossing devices may take some time to adjust to as there are varying levels of pressure certain machines can operate at. Always begin at the lowest setting and tweak it as needed. The pressure should be gentle on your teeth and gums, but strong enough to cause action. There are also a variety of tips that can be used, which offer different streams of water. It may take some experimentation to figure out which tip you prefer.

Don’t be alarmed if your gums bleed the first couple of times as you are new to the device and have not been exposed to pressurized water. As your gums heal and strengthen, you will see a drastic decrease in bleeding gums.

We Still Recommend Brushing and Flossing

The Waterpik® or any similar pressurized water flossing device is not meant to be a replacement for brushing. For the most part, it can effectively replace flossing, but using string flossing is still better at removing sticky plaque in between the teeth. You should always focus on brushing your teeth at least twice a day. You can read more about brushing with braces on our website.

5 Things To Consider Avoiding With Braces – Braces Las Vegas

Braces are a great temporary addition to your mouth for a variety of reasons – the largest reason being because they improve the aesthetics of your teeth by straightening them. Studies have actually shown that having straighter teeth does matter in our society. Unfortunately, braces have a downside as well (but remember it’s only temporary!). We have compiled a list for you of 8 things you should consider avoiding with braces.

1. Certain Foods

Foods can be a tricky subject for those with braces, especially to anyone new. You can check out our post on foods to avoid with braces, but there’s one in particular: gum. If you chew gum with braces, you’ll find yourself trying to dig it out piece by piece. All it takes is one bad experience and you will probably never chew gum with braces again.

Apples also pose another problem. They aren’t sticky, but biting into an apple with braces could potentially cause damage to the brackets. If you’re going to eat an apple, then cut it into smaller pieces and chew slowly.

2. Sports

Unless you’re committed to a team, you should probably try to avoid playing sports while you straighten out your teeth. Orthodontic mouth guards do exist to help, but sports and braces generally just do not mix.

3. Red Bands

A lot of people find fun in customizing the color corrective bands they want to use with their braces. Our suggestion is to avoid the color red simply because people have reported that it makes their mouths appear as if they were bleeding – making for a highly unattractive appearance.

4. Playing With Large Dogs

A lot of us absolutely love dogs (we do!), but sometimes playing with a large dog isn’t in the best of our interests. Large dogs may get too excited and jump onto you – sometimes into your face – accidentally, causing damage to your orthodontic braces.

5. Certain Drinks

We also offer a post on drinks to avoid with braces, but the one drink you should consider dropping – both for braces and for your oral health – is soda. The chemicals in most sodas can eat away at your teeth and your orthodontic appliances. It’s really just best to avoid soda altogether.

*This post is meant for those with traditional metal braces. Those with Invisalign® braces do not experience the same problems.

Do You Actually Know What Dental Plaque Is? – Braces Las Vegas

Dental plaque is something we hear often, but most of us do not fully understand. Here’s an interesting fact: about 70% of the population suffers from dental disease. Why is this? The answer is simple: dental plaque.

The earlier you start, the easier the routine becomes.

This plaque begins from a chemical reaction in our mouth when our bodies break down food into carbohydrates as we’re chewing it. After this occurs, it begins to mix with the saliva in our mouth which creates an acid that can eat away at our teeth. This is why dentists often advise against sugary substances or other sources of carbohydrate consumption such as soft drinks, milk, pastries, etc. It causes our mouths to produce more of this “acid” that eats away at our teeth gradually over time. We’re not the only ones who enjoy sugar, our mouths love it too… for a different reason.

The Good News

The good news about dental plaque is during its beginning stages, it’s generally a soft substance that can be brushed away with a toothbrush and some toothpaste.

Here’s where it gets interesting. When you do not brush your teeth on a consistent basis, or you miss certain spots in your teeth that are hard to reach, then the dental plaque that has been sitting on your teeth begins to harden. This hardening process converts dental plaque into dental tartar, which is much harder to remove.

This is why visiting your Las Vegas dentist is important: to take care of the areas of your mouth that you had missed. The scraping aspect of a dental cleaning is your dentist literally scraping away this tartar that has formed on your teeth, preventing tooth decay.

Tooth decay is the main result of dental plaque build-up that has formed over time. Tooth decay is the beginning process that can lead to a slippery slope.

It’s literally impossible to have a plaque-free mouth daily, but by staying active in your dental regimen, we can keep our plaque levels down to a healthy minimum. Having braces or other orthodontic appliances does not serve as an excuse to dodge the routine. 

The Routine

·         Brush twice a day 

·         Floss at least once a day (preferably after every meal)

·         Consider using an antibacterial mouth rinse that aids in reducing plaque

·         Make sure to visit your dentist!

·         Watch what you eat (carbohydrates in particular, especially sugar)

 In short: dental plaque is the reason we brush our teeth, floss our teeth, and visit our dentist.

Does Having Straight Teeth Even Matter? - Braces Las Vegas

Yes, Straighter Teeth does Matter.

If you thought impressions didn’t matter, then think again. We wanted to bring to light a study that was done roughly two years ago, but is still very relevant today. The fact remains: we are grossly judged by our appearance, which includes more than just our smiles.

In short, the study concludes that straighter teeth translates into success, smarts, and more dates. We aren’t even kidding either; it’s all based on the facts that were revealed in the study.

The Facts (only based on those who participated in the study [1,047 respondents])

·      29% of those in the study said the first aspect they notice on someone’s face is their teeth. 24% say this is also the aspect they remember after meeting someone.

·      Respondents perceived those with straight teeth to be 58% more successful than those with crooked teeth. The key here is perception. Those with crooked teeth of course can still become successful!

·      On dating sites, those with pictures featuring straight teeth are believed to be 57% more likely to get a date than those with crooked teeth.

·      Those with straight teeth are viewed as 47% more likely to be healthy and 38% more likely to be seen as smart.

·      An overwhelming 73% of the respondents are more likely to trust someone with straight teeth over someone with crooked teeth.

·      About 57% of the respondents would rather have a nice smile over nice skin. We’re guessing this is because you can cover your skin with the right clothing and makeup.

So, the next time you contemplate going through the “pain” of orthodontic braces, you should take these considerations into mind either for yourself, a child, or someone else that has been debating the issue.

A big reason people fear braces are because they do not want to be embarrassed by them, which is why clear braces are a perfect choice, and because they do not want to deal with the hassle of taking care of them (it’s really not as hard as you think!).

Your Las Vegas braces orthodontist is a great starting point for those looking to make a difference.

How to Know if You Need Braces? - Braces Las Vegas

There are certain scenarios in which braces are a strong recommendation, but many times people often wonder what criteria there is to be a good candidate for braces.

Las Vegas braces specialist notes specific scenarios in which orthodontic braces would benefit you or your child, not just for straightening teeth, but also for a normal functioning mouth. If you're wondering how to know if you need braces, then here’s a quick checklist to follow (provided by the American Association of Orthodontists):

·      Uneven bite

·      Crowding, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth

·      Speech difficulty

·      Biting your cheek

·      Facial imbalance

·      Grinding or clenching of teeth

·      Protruding teeth

·      Misalignment of the jaw

·      Crooked teeth

·      Gaps between teeth

If you meet any of the above criteria, then you may want to check in with an orthodontist in Las Vegas to see how serious your condition is regarding the future of your oral health: chewing efficiency, abnormal tooth wear, jaw joint disorders, etc.

Invisalign® Braces

The absolute truth is that many people settle for braces simply because they are unsatisfied with the look of their teeth; an insecurity. They want straighter teeth because straight teeth make better impressions and also make you appear more attractive. People that are concerned with the embarrassment that may result from wearing visible metal braces for a period of time would be happy to learn that clear braces do exist: known under the name Invisalign®.

Keep in mind that anyone can receive braces. There’s seems to be a looming skepticism around the belief that orthodontic treatment is for young children only. This simply is not true. Anyone can benefit from braces, especially adults, either for aesthetic purposes or for proper functionality.

Talk to your local Las Vegas orthodontist to learn more about types of braces, adult braces, or read our FAQ on braces. The path to straightened teeth starts somewhere!

Common Orthodontic Concerns: Playing Sports With Braces

A common concern for those just receiving a pair of orthodontic braces is whether or not they can play sports with braces. The answer is: yes, you can play sports with braces. The reason is because special orthodontic mouth guards exist, which provide protection against your orthodontic appliances. You may have to search around for one that rests comfortably in your mouth.

Orthodontic mouth guards will only provide extra protection; they do not guarantee that damage will not be dealt to your braces. It’s still highly recommended to wear a pair though, just to be on the safe side. Orthodontic mouth guards are typically made with higher quality materials, as the extra support is needed to house the wiring and brackets.

Visit our patient information section to learn more about common questions regarding braces: talking with braces, life with braces, oral health with braces, etc. If an accident does occur, your orthodontist can always repair and readjust the damage. Just be sure not to wait a long time to schedule an appointment, because your teeth will slowly begin shifting out of place.

Talk to your Las Vegas braces orthodontist for information regarding sports and wearing braces. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible while you look forward to receiving a smile not only straightened, but as bright as it can be!

Do You Know the Difference Between Braces?

It’s important to choose braces that you will be most comfortable and satisfied with as you will be responsible for wearing them for a good portion of time, leading to results that will last you a lifetime. In order to choose braces, you need to know the difference between braces!

There are subtle differences in clear braces and metal braces that typically lie in the cosmetic differences. Some people cannot fathom having to wear metal braces that are more obvious to notice than its clear counterpart.

Clear braces have a much better chance of blending in over metal braces. If you’re concerned with the way you’re going to look in pictures, etc. then perhaps clear braces may be the obvious choice. However, clear braces are generally higher priced than metal braces.

This is to be expected throughout treatment. Don't worry! It's normal. Teeth must loosen first so they can be moved. The teeth will again become rigidly fixed in their new – corrected – positions.

The clear braces we offer here at Braces Las Vegas are called the In-Ovation® System Braces which is a technically advanced way of having braces. In-Ovation uses smaller brackets for a more comfortable fit as well as free-sliding technology that speeds up the process of straightening your teeth.

An advantage of metal braces is the fact that they’re made with high-grade stainless steel, meaning they are stronger than clear braces with a smaller chance of breaking. You can also customize your metal braces to use colored bands for a more aesthetically pleasing look.

Beyond clear braces, Invisalign® offers its patients a truly invisible way of straightening your teeth for those who do not want to have the possibility of feeling embarrassed for wearing braces.

Always remember that braces are absolutely a great way to straighten your teeth, having worked for millions of satisfied people. Many people are completely able to look beyond the negatives of braces when they realize how much better their teeth look.

For more information on braces, visit our website or give us a call @ 702-838-0707.
Set up a consultation with a Las Vegas Dentist to see which type of braces would work best for you!