Orthodontic treatment is a way of straightening or moving teeth, to improve the appearance of the teeth and how they work. It can also help to look after the long-term health of your teeth, gums and jaw joints, by spreading the biting pressure over all your teeth.
Many people have crowded or crooked teeth. Orthodontic treatment will straighten the teeth or move them into a better position. This can improve their appearance and the way the teeth bite together, while also making them easier to clean.
Some people have upper front teeth that stick out and look unsightly. These ‘prominent’ teeth are more likely to be damaged, but orthodontic treatment can move them back into line. Or the way the upper and lower jaws meet can cause teeth to look unsightly and lead to an incorrect bite. Orthodontic treatment may be able to correct both of these problems.
When the teeth don’t meet correctly, this can put strain on the muscles of the jaw, causing jaw and joint problems and sometimes headaches. Orthodontic treatment can help you to bite more evenly and reduce the strain.
The best time is generally during childhood, but adults can have orthodontic treatment too – and more and more are doing so. Age is less important than having the right number of teeth. In children, it may be necessary to wait for enough teeth to come through before starting treatment.
Your dentist may carry out orthodontic treatment. Or they may send you to a specialist who has extra qualifications. The specialist may be in a practice or a hospital department and is called an orthodontist.
The most important thing is to have a full examination. This will usually involve looking at your teeth, taking dental x-rays and making plaster models of your teeth.
Your dental team or orthodontist will then discuss what treatment is possible. Once you are sure you want to go ahead, the treatment can start as soon as you have enough permanent teeth.
You may not have enough room for all your permanent teeth. If so, you may need to have some permanent teeth taken out to make space. Your dental team will tell you whether this is the case. Sometimes space can be made using other forms of treatment.
Orthodontic treatment can be done by many sorts of appliances, which most people call a ‘brace’.
Simple treatment may be carried out with a removable brace (a plate that can be taken out to be cleaned). It has delicate wires and springs attached, which move the teeth using gentle pressure.
Often, teeth need to be guided more accurately than they can be using a removable brace. So a fixed brace is used. This has brackets and bands which are temporarily stuck to the teeth. A flexible wire joins all the brackets and allows the teeth to be moved. You can’t take the appliance out yourself, so it is called a fixed appliance.
It is sometimes possible to change the way the jaws grow, using a functional brace. This works by using the power of your jaw muscles and can help with certain types of problems.
Fixed braces are not always made of metal. Plastic and ceramic can be used, especially for adults.
As well as a brace some people need to wear headgear. You usually only need to wear it in the evening or at night. If you do not wear it in the way you have been told, your front teeth may stick out at the end of treatment.
They are tough, clear plastic ‘aligners’ (molds) that are used to straighten teeth. Several sets of specially molded, slightly different aligners are made for each patient. Each set is worn for two weeks before being replaced with the next one. They are made from clear plastic, so they are nearly invisible. This means that no one need know you are straightening your teeth.
The aligners should be worn for 22 to 23 hours a day for the best results. They can be easily removed for eating, drinking, brushing, and cleaning in between your teeth. You need to have all your adult teeth before you can have this treatment.
Sometimes delicate elastic bands are attached to a fixed brace to help move the teeth. Your orthodontist will tell you if you need elastics.
The length of treatment depends on how severe the problem is, and it may take anything from a few months to two-and-a-half years. Most people can be treated in one to two years.
When treatment is finished the teeth need to be held in position for a time. This is called the ‘retention’ period, and the appliances that hold the teeth in place are called retainers.
The retainers hold newly straightened teeth in position while the surrounding gum and bone settles. The retainers can be removable or fixed, depending on the original problem.
All appliances may feel strange at first, and can cause discomfort. If the problem doesn’t go away, the orthodontist may be able to carry out adjustments to help. Teeth are usually uncomfortable immediately after a brace has been adjusted, but this will settle.
Orthodontic braces usually need adjusting every 4 to 6 weeks. Your orthodontist will tell you how often your brace will need adjusting.
Success depends on both the skills of the orthodontist and the enthusiasm and helpfulness of the patient (and parents, if the patient is a child). It is important to follow any instructions given by the orthodontist and to go to any appointments you have with them.
The success of the treatment also depends on the commitment of the patient. For children’s orthodontic treatment the patient must be as keen as the parent.
Your teeth can be damaged if you don’t look after them properly during treatment. The braces themselves will not cause damage, but poor cleaning and too many sugary foods and drinks can cause permanent damage to your teeth. Brackets, wires, and braces can trap food and cause more plaque than usual to build up. So you need to clean your teeth and appliance very thoroughly.
Even after retention, it is normal for minor tooth movements to happen throughout life. So no permanent guarantee can be given. However, it is unusual for teeth to alter enough to need more treatment.
The first thing to do is to visit your dental team and get their advice. Your dental team will know whether you need treatment and will make the necessary arrangements.
It is important to keep having your teeth checked by your dental team while you are having orthodontic treatment. You also need to take extra care of your teeth and mouth:
We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. For more information call us today to answer all of your questions so get an appointment.
Even before babies have teeth, their mouths need care to protect against damage and decay later in life. Here’s some expert advice:
A pacifier won’t hurt jaw development or tooth alignment, provided he doesn’t use it constantly or stick to it for too long. we prefer a pacifier to thumb sucking because children tend to stop using the pacifier sooner.
When shopping for a pacifier, safety is key. You don’t want any pieces coming apart, and you don’t want babies swallowing anything. I would look for something that’s solid and in one piece.
Pacifier nipples come in a few different shapes, from the rounder bottle type to flattened orthodontic versions with a wider tip. Orthodontic pacifiers are supposed to keep your baby’s jaws in proper alignment, but the frequency, intensity, and duration of sucking are more likely to affect your child’s bite than a pacifier type. Use whichever one your baby prefers.
Pacifiers are available in latex or silicone. The material probably doesn’t make much of a difference to your child’s teeth, but latex nipples aren’t dishwasher safe. You’ll have to wash them by hand to prevent bacteria buildup.
You’ll want to clean your baby’s gums in the first few months. This is a low-tech operation; a dampened piece of gauze or washcloth works fine. Or you can buy finger cots, which you slip over your finger and rub along the gums. That also helps with teething. It makes the gums feel a little better.
The dental care regimen needs to get more serious once tooth buds appear. As soon as teeth come in they will be targets for plaque. You want to brush two times a day. Use any children’s toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles. Once your child is a little older, a brush with a musical timer can help with learning how long to brush — 2 minutes at a time.
Toothpaste recommendations have changed in the last couple of years. Today, the American Dental Association advises using a fluoride paste as soon as the first tooth appears. any brand is OK. Use a smear of toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice until age 3, and then a pea-sized amount from ages 3 to 6.
Don’t forget to floss, which you should start to do as soon as the baby’s first teeth come in side by side. Disposable dental floss holders will make the job easier for both of you. Go in between the teeth gently.
Ask your pediatric dentist:
We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. For more information call us today to answer all of your questions so get an appointment.
Preventive dentistry requires participation from your child, our dental team, and you. The goal of preventive dentistry is to prevent the development of cavities and gum disease through routine cleanings, check-ups, and dental education from our office. A healthy mouth helps foster a happy and healthy child.
Preventive dentistry begins at home with the appearance of your child’s first tooth, usually around 6 months of age. Even before the first dental visit, you should be cleaning your child’s teeth with a moist cloth after each feeding. By the time your child reaches the age of one, you should schedule your child’s initial visit with us. Beginning dental visits early is the key to great dental health as these visits assist us in recognizing and addressing potential problems before they become serious.
In addition to the dental exam and cleaning, we will look at your child’s risk for cavities, discuss the prevention of dental injuries, address concerns (if any) about oral habits, encourage mouthguard use, and monitor your child’s dental growth and development.
Begin daily brushing as soon as your child’s first tooth erupts. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends twice-daily brushing with toothpaste that has fluoride in it, from the moment the first tooth erupts. A smear of fluoride toothpaste can be used for children who can’t spit out effectively. Only a smear! (Discuss this with your child’s Dentist. Sometimes he/she recommends to use a fluoride-free toothpaste until they can spit all of the toothpaste out!) As soon as your child is spitting all of the toothpaste out effectively, you can advance to allowing your child to brush with a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste.
A parent should be brushing their child’s teeth up to 7 years old. Allow your child to brush their teeth, but it’s very important to brush their teeth after they brush to ensure their teeth are cleaned properly. A great measure of your child’s manual dexterity is whether they can tie their shoes or not! If they can tie their shoes, we can discuss the transition of your child brushing their teeth all by themselves with your supervision.
Proper brushing removes plaque from the inner, outer and chewing surfaces. When teaching children to brush, place a toothbrush at a 45-degree angle; start along gum line with a soft bristle brush in a gentle circular motion. Brush the outer surfaces of each tooth, upper and lower. Repeat the same method on the inside surfaces and chewing surfaces of all the teeth. Finish by brushing the tongue to help freshen breath and remove bacteria.
Flossing removes plaque between the teeth, where a toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing is necessary when any two teeth touch. But it’s important to start flossing by age 2 just to get your child used to the sensation of flossing. You should floss your child’s teeth until he or she can do it alone. Also, we love the option of flossers. They are really easy for you and your child to use. Flossers are little plastic forks that have just about half an inch of floss. They make flossing easier as they are small and fit in your mouth better than would your fingers!
Use a fluoridated mouth rinse after brushing and flossing before bedtime. For the rinse to be effective, avoid drinking, eating or rinsing after use. Fluoridated mouth rinses should not be used for a child who cannot “spit” out the rinse after use.
Healthy eating habits lead to healthy teeth. Like the rest of the body, the teeth, bones and the soft tissues of the mouth need a well-balanced diet. Children should eat a variety of foods from the five major food groups. Most snacks that children eat can lead to cavity formation. The more frequently a child snacks, the greater the chance for tooth decay. How long food remains in the mouth also plays a role. For example, hard candy and breath mints stay in the mouth for a long time, which causes longer acid attacks on tooth enamel. If your child must snack, choose nutritious foods such as vegetables, low-fat yogurt, and low-fat cheese, which are healthier and better for children’s teeth.
We may also recommend protective sealants for your child. Sealants can be applied to your child’s molars and/or premolars to prevent decay on hard to clean surfaces.
Fluoride is an element, which is beneficial to teeth. However, too little or too much fluoride can be detrimental to the teeth. Little or no fluoride will not strengthen the teeth to help them resist cavities. Excessive fluoride ingestion by preschool-aged children can lead to dental fluorosis, which is a chalky white to even brown discoloration of the permanent teeth. We will determine the right amount of fluoride your child needs for optimal dental health.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recognizes the benefits of xylitol on the oral health of infants, children, adolescents, and persons with special health care needs.
The use of XYLITOL GUM by mothers (two to three times per day) starting three months after delivery and until the child was two years old, has proven to reduce cavities up to 70% by the time the child was five years old.
Studies using xylitol as either a sugar substitute or a small dietary addition have demonstrated a dramatic reduction in new tooth decay, along with some reversal of existing dental caries. Xylitol provides additional protection that enhances all existing prevention methods. This xylitol effect is long-lasting and possibly permanent. Low decay rates persist even years after the trials have been completed.
To find gum or other products containing xylitol, try visiting your local health food store or search the Internet to find products containing 100% xylitol.
We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. For more information call us today to answer all of your questions so get an appointment.