Avoid Braces Discomfort

In order to straighten teeth, braces must be adjusted, loosening teeth. This can cause some discomfort for some people depending on how tight the adjustments are. However, no matter how tight an adjustment is, there are ways you can avoid a sore jaw, the discomfort when eating, and irritation that can be caused by brackets or loose wires. Simple steps like taking pain medication after braces adjustment and using wax to soften the feel of brackets against cheeks can make a huge difference in your braces experience. While the process isn't completely pain-free, the discomfort can be alleviated so you can be on your way to enjoying a straighter smile!

If you don't currently have braces and are considering them as an option for teeth straightening visit our site for information on different options like Invisalign and traditional metal braces. If you are new to braces, visit our Tips for New Braces page for more advice on how to minimize your discomfort and make your braces experience more pleasant.

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.

Caring for your Child's Teeth

Start dental visits during infancy

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends bringing your child to the dentist before his or her first birthday. At this initial visit, the dentist will:

• check your child's teeth for decay and signs of early developmental problems;
• explain how to care for your child's teeth; and
• answer any questions or concerns you might have.

Children should see a dentist every six months. To help your child develop a positive attitude about the dentist:

• Take your child with you when you go in for a checkup so he/she can get used to the office and its staff.
• Avoid using negative words such as "needle" and "hurt."
• "Play dentist" to familiarize your child with what takes place during a visit.
• Ask your dentist how he or she explains procedures to children.
• Answer your child's questions honestly and sensitively.

Caring for an infant's teeth

Cleaning a child's teeth should begin when the first tooth is visible, because teeth are susceptible to decay as soon as they appear in the mouth.

Wipe the baby's teeth and gums clean after every feeding with a soft, damp washcloth or gauze pad. A leading cause of tooth decay among young children is known as "baby bottle syndrome." When an infant is allowed to drink from a nursing bottle containing milk, formula or fruit juice during nap time or at night, the baby often falls asleep with the bottle in his or her mouth. Exposure to the sugars and acids in these liquids that pool around the teeth can cause discoloration and decay.

Since breast milk contains sugar, decay also can occur when a baby falls asleep while breast-feeding. To prevent damage to the teeth, clean your child's teeth after each feeding and, if necessary, give him or her a bottle filled only with water at bedtime or during a nap.

Eating and drinking habits are key to healthy teeth

Studies have shown that children who drink fluoridated water from birth have up to 65 percent fewer cavities, and by the time they become teenagers, many of them still have no tooth decay.

If you live in a community without a fluoridated water supply, you can make sure your kids get their fluoride by using tablets, drops or gel and by having topical fluoride treatments applied at the dental office (to check whether your drinking water contains fluoride, call your local water company or health department). Using a fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse is also effective.

A balanced diet is also an important contributor to healthy teeth and gums. Children especially need calcium, which helps build strong teeth. Good sources of calcium are milk, cheese and yogurt. Research shows that eating cheese after meals seems to inhibit the effects of decay-causing acids. Avoid snacks containing sugar or starch.

By age 3

Children should be brushing their own teeth under adult supervision. Only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is necessary. Start flossing your child's teeth daily when all the primary teeth are in or when teeth are touching each other.

By age 8

Children should be able to brush and floss by themselves, with occasional checks. Turn brushing and flossing into a daily routine — make it fun by giving your child a colorful toothbrush and bubble gum-flavored floss.

With a parent’s guidance and proper personal and professional care, children have a good foundation for maintaining healthy teeth.

An Apple a Day

Reports from the Academy of General Dentistry suggest that the dietary habits of school children have an increase in sugar intake.  The study took place over a 15-month period in which researchers monitored the dietary habits of preschoolers before and after the beginning of the school year.  Within that time, the average number of tooth decay incidents leapt from 9.7 to 15.3.  In just one school year, the average preschool child developed 5.6 cavities.  Only 19 percent of these preschoolers were entirely free of cavities.

Marilynn Belek, DMD, chief dental officer and senior vice president of Delta Dental believes this proves the importance of basic dental education.  “This study substantiates the basics taught to dental school students that diet is an important part of proper oral health," says  Belek.  She goes on to explain that the easiest way for parents to help their children prevent tooth decay is to keep track of their eating habits.  Parents should find out what kind of food schools offer their children for lunch.  "If programs do not offer healthy alternatives, talk to the school about incorporating healthy lunches or snacks," says Belek.  Another option for preventing cavities is to protect your children’s teeth with dental sealants, which are thin coatings of bonding material that are applied to the teeth.  These act as barriers to the bacteria that causes cavities and can be applied as soon as the child’s first molars come in.

Belek also suggests alternatives to candy and other sugary snacks at home, like apples and bite-sized carrots.    Any increase in sugar can raise the risk of developing cavities, especially in children.  Every time your child consumes some form of sugary substance, organisms in their mouths feed on the sugar and produce acid that erodes the protective enamel, causing tooth decay.  It’s a good idea for children to brush their teeth and rinse with water after lunch if they eat something sugary, but simply eating a piece of fruit can help clean the surface of the teeth and gums.  An apple a day really can keep the dentist away (although a dental exam every six months is still recommended by most dentists).

Invisible Lingual Braces

Just because you need to wear braces doesn't mean anyone has to see them.  Lingual braces are just like normal metal braces, except they're worn behind the teeth rather than the front. They'll still reshape your smile to the right position, but it will look like there's nothing on your teeth at all.


Not all orthodontists can offer lingual braces as a part of your orthodontic treatment, but Desert Orthodontics can!  Visit our website to find out more about lingual braces and the rest of our orthodontic services.

Invisalign: Clear Orthodontic Alternative

Have your teeth grown incorrectly or been pushed out of place? Many people believe that their dental conditions are too severe for Invisalign to correct. The truth is, Invisalign will work to solve your dental problem in almost every case that can be fixed by traditional braces.

As a customized and subtle alternative to braces, Invisalign's clear aligners can reverse the effects of gaps left behind by missing teeth or accelerated jaw bone growth. Invisalign also corrects common dental problems, such as crossbites, overbites, and underbites, which are caused by jaw misalignment. Overcrowding is also a common problem that occurs when the jaw space cannot adequately accommodate all of the teeth. All of these problems can be solved by both traditional braces and Invisalign aligners, but only Invisalign offers the following added benefits.

   - Invisalign's clear aligners are virtually invisible and blend in with your teeth.

   - Invisalign aligners are made of a single, flexible piece of plastic that's reported to be more comfortable than traditional braces.

   - Invisalign aligners can be removed when eating, brushing, and flossing, which means no eating restrictions.

The Cost of Braces

Orthodontics have changed over the years. Treatments no longer rely on oversized metal headgear or unsightly shiny brackets over the teeth. And the good news is they're also cheaper than they used to be. Here's a brief example of the cost of modern braces:

   - Traditional braces: $5,000-7,500. This is the typical range of the complete cost for basic metal braces with brackets.

   - Lingual braces: $6,000-10,000. Lingual braces are worn behind the teeth and are hidden from view when smiling. These cost more than traditional braces due to customization requirements.

   - Invisalign treatment: $3,500-5,000. Invisalign is growing in popularity and dropping in price. This is a great choice if you want to disguise your orthodontics treatment. They're also often considered to be more comfortable than traditional braces.