Foods to Avoid During Your Orthodontic Treatment

There are a variety of foods you should avoid while you're wearing braces. Some foods can occasionally damage braces, but certain foods can bend the wires or even break the brackets on your braces. If you’re wearing braces, you should avoid starch, sugar and gummy foods, as these foods can be difficult to remove during brushing. Foods that are high in sugar and starch tend to cause plaque, cavities and even tooth decay.

 Avoid tough meats, hard breads and raw vegetables such as carrots and celery. Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.  

Foods you should avoid include:  
• Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice  
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips  
• Sticky foods: caramels, gum  
• Hard foods: nuts, candy  
• Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots

Also, chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.

If you have any questions on which foods you should be avoiding and why, we invite you to give us a call or ask our staff during your next visit.

Understanding cavities

One word nobody wants to hear when they visit the dentist is Cavity!  That’s right, the dreaded cavity; but what exactly is a cavity and how do you get one?  A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay.  It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected so that it does not grow bigger. 

So, what causes a cavity?  A cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up.  Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by your dentist, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities:

·         Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily

·         Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (when choosing a toothbrush it is recommended to use soft bristles)

·         Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food that may be caught between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach

·         Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat/drink

·         Be sure to visit your dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and check-up

Spring is here! Do we have your current contact info?

Spring is in the air! As you probably know, you can always connect with us on our Facebook page, but we invite you to please contact our office with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so that we may be able to reach you.

We also encourage you to call us and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!

Thank you! Have a great week!

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Visiting our office regularly will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. Since April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our patients about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene.

We are trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Please let us now if you have any questions about your oral health during your next appointment. Take care of your teeth!

Cleaning Your Baby’s Teeth

With the arrival of your little one, it’s important to prepare for the arrival of their first tooth. Even before your child’s first tooth appears, his or her gums can benefit from your careful attention. After breast- or bottle-feeding, wrap your finger with a damp washcloth and gently rub across your baby’s gums. This will also reinforce the habit of brushing after eating as your baby grows up.

Your baby’s first tooth will make its grand entrance at about six months, and the rest of the primary teeth will come in during the next three years. When the first tooth erupts, it's time to upgrade to a baby toothbrush. There are usually two options: a long-handled toothbrush that you and your baby can hold at the same time, and a finger-puppet-like brush that fits over the tip of your pointer finger. In each case the bristles are soft and few. At this stage, toothpaste isn't necessary; just dip the brush in water before brushing.

When a few more teeth appear, you can start using toothpaste with your child's brush. However, for the first two years, be sure to choose toothpaste that does not contain fluoride, unless advised to do so otherwise. From the beginning, have your little one practice spitting the toothpaste out after brushing to prepare him or her for fluoride toothpaste, which should not be swallowed at any age.

Be sure to schedule an appointment within six months of when your child’s first tooth comes in, and no later than your child’s first birthday. Early dental visits are the foundation for a lifetime of good oral health. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental disease and helping your child build a cavity-free smile.

When Was Your Last Dental Cleaning?

You water the garden three times a week, you change your car's oil every three months, and you replace the batteries in your smoke detectors once a year. Your teeth need to see your dentist on a regular schedule, too.
While daily oral hygiene habits are essential to good oral health, professional dental cleanings at our office ensure your teeth are treated to a deeper level of cleaning. We recommend for most of our patients to have a checkup at least every six months. In addition to a thorough cleaning and polishing of your teeth, these regular visits help us detect and prevent the onset of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease. During your visit, we’ll check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue. We’ll also check old fillings and restorations, as these can wear away over time from constant chewing, grinding, or clenching.
If you are predisposed to oral diseases, you may need to visit our office more often than every six months. Factors at play in these diseases include age, pregnancy, tobacco use, medical conditions (such as diabetes, dry mouth, or HIV infection), along with how well you take care of your teeth on a daily basis.
Make sure your teeth get the professional attention they deserve – If you’re overdue for your next cleaning, check with our office to schedule an appointment!