When you look at your teeth, it’s obvious that there are problems that brushing and flossing aren’t going to fix. Your issues don’t have to do with oral hygiene or the health of your teeth. Orthodontic concerns are at the root of your problem. Braces are the ideal way to correct issues with gaps, crowding, and a bite that is not in proper alignment. To correct orthodontic problems, your orthodontist at Growing Smiles in Anna and Richardson Texas will create a treatment plan that is a good fit for your teeth. As you prepare for this next step in life, it is natural to have questions.
The timescale for treatment is likely to be one of the biggest concerns. Patients want to know how long it will take to get their ideal smile so that brackets and wires can come off. It is typical for orthodontic treatment to take at least two years. Two and a half years is ideal. Some patients may need up to four years if orthodontic concerns are severe.
If you are like so many patients, you’ll want to find a way to speed up results and get to the finish line faster with orthodontic treatment. Your orthodontist is going to provide you with a timescale for your treatment plan. This will inform you about every step of the process, including:
In the end, the length of time for orthodontic treatment will depend on what is happening in your mouth and how well you are responding to treatment. Your orthodontist is only going to remove your form of treatment when your teeth are ready.
To have optimal results with orthodontic treatment, it is going to take time. The teeth need to be shifted gradually for results to be safe and effective. The main goal is to ensure that your teeth and bite are in proper alignment. Making any adjustments too quickly could cause more harm than good. Removing forms of orthodontic treatment too early will make it more likely for teeth to shift back into their original position.
If you are going to invest in time and visits to the orthodontist’s office to correct your teeth, you want your treatment to be right the first time. While it is true that patience is necessary while undergoing an orthodontic correction, it is a process that will be worth the wait. Experience the following benefits of properly aligned teeth:
I recommend talking to the orthodontist. The REAL purpose of braces is not necessarily to improve your smile— its to improve the way the teeth fit together and work together. Misaligned teeth can shift your bite in an unhealthy, dysfunctional way that can cause painful jaw problems, headaches, and make you grind your teeth. Having them nice and straight and pretty is a nice perk but it’s not the main goal.
You should be aware that teeth move very slowly through the bone. It is normal for teeth to feel loose for a while as they move, and the braces are necessary to hold them in place until the bone fills in around the roots so they don’t automatically begin shifting back again.
Also- just because the front teeth straight do NOT mean that the bite is correct. Orthodontists do these things in stages. No one but your orthodontist can tell you where in your treatment plan you are and what the risks are if you have them removed early.
Ask at your next appointment. Be aware, however, that you are probably going to be billed for most if not all of the treatment, even if you get them off early. Especially if the doctor has arranged some kind of payment plan with you.
It isn’t possible to make teeth magically shift into the ideal position overnight. The process involves careful planning and an orthodontic treatment plan that is specifically tailored to suit the needs of each patient. It requires placing trust in the expertise and experience of the orthodontist.
By following care instructions and avoiding foods that can cause damage to orthodontic treatment alternatives, it may be possible to shorten the length of treatment. The use of self-litigating brackets and a device that sends pulses of energy to your teeth for home use may also make your teeth move more effectively. In the end, only the orthodontic specialist can make that call.
Avoid foods such as popcorn, nuts, chips, bubblegum, toffee, caramels, and cookies. And don’t chew on ice cubes or drink soda pop. All of these things can damage braces and/or cause tooth decay.
Better dental hygiene can allow your teeth to move into the correct position quicker, and shorten the wearing time for your braces.
Biting your nails and playing with your elastics prolong the amount of time you have to wear braces. Find another nervous habit and you’ll see the end of treatment faster.
Foods such as raw fruits and vegetables and hard-crusted bread are great when cut into bite-sized pieces. This reduces pressure on braces during eating.
Objects such as pens and straws can damage braces and result in added time at the orthodontist’s office. So don’t chew them at all.
When you miss an appointment, you are setting back your treatment by weeks or months. If you have an emergency or similar then reschedule at the earliest convenience.
Propel incorporates a simple 3 step system that is used chair-side by your orthodontist to stimulate the bone around your teeth during tooth movement. This increases the speed of bone remodeling which is a paramount step toward achieving the straight, perfect smile you’ve always wanted.
In traditional orthodontic treatment, teeth move as a result of pressures placed by your braces. These pressures result in bone remodeling as teeth shift and move through bone to their desired position. With Propel this process is accelerated by stimulating your bone to rebuild and remodel, achieving the desired results in far less time and with much less discomfort. In fact, in some clinical trials, the Propel system has been proven to reduce orthodontic treatment time by up to 60%.
Are you a candidate for Propel? Propel is a clinically proven tool for success and can be used on up to 80% of patients who require orthodontic treatment. The best way to determine if it can help you is to visit an experienced Propel orthodontist.
The most important thing that you can do is have an open mind and trust your orthodontist when it comes to your action plan for your teeth. Keep the end goal in mind. You want to have an unforgettable smile and need patience. Don’t rush your results to have the best outcome. Removing any type of orthodontic treatment before it is recommended could just send you back to square one. Take pictures along the way and post them as a reminder that progress is being made.
Take good care of your teeth. Ask questions when you come in for your regular appointments to see what kind of changes are being made in the position of your teeth if any adjustments are necessary, and the time scale for your orthodontic treatment plan has changed at all from when it was originally anticipated. Everyone is unique. The amount of time for one person will be different for another. It all depends on the nature of the orthodontic problem and how well a person responds to treatment.
You won’t know what your journey will be until you sit down with your orthodontist to learn about the concerns with your teeth and what kind of options are available to you. If you are only interested in how your front teeth look, you may be able to shorten your treatment time. However, this is not the best course of action if you want lasting results that will treat your entire mouth. You want to get to the root of any issues with your teeth to get the most out of your treatment plan.
Accordingly, if you have questions and concerns about the right orthodontic treatment plan for you, make an appointment. our doctors at Growing Smiles in Anna and Richardson texas have a great love of orthodontics shines through for every patient who walks in his door. they are a leader in lingual braces and many other aspects of orthodontic treatment.
You can trust that your teeth will get the care they need from your initial consultation to every step in the process for effective orthodontic treatment. When you place yourself in our doctor’s care at Growing Smiles in Anna and Richardson Texas, your teeth will be properly adjusted on the schedule that meets your needs. It will be worth your wait.
Recourses:
quora.com
theschulhofcenter.com
We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. Growing Smiles is a pediatric dentist in Anna, Richardson, Plano, Garland, Murphy we have Pediatric Services in Texas: Early Childhood Care, Preventive Care, General Treatments, Sedation Dentistry, Special Needs Dentistry, Emergency Service and Orthodontic (Braces & Invisalign) For more information call us to answer all of your questions so get an appointment today.
The earlier you begin teaching kids about dental hygiene, the earlier they will create habits to maintain good oral health. These habits will help them maintain a healthy smile by avoiding cavities, tooth decay, and gingivitis. To help you in this process, we have compiled our top tips for teaching kids about dental hygiene.
Habits don’t develop overnight. They take time and consistency, which is why it’s crucial to introduce your child to dental hygiene from an early age. From the time of infancy, brush your child’s teeth regularly. As they get older, help them transition into using a toothbrush on their own. Flossing should also be taught, and you can begin flossing your child’s teeth as early as 4 years old
Children rarely enjoy brushing their teeth, but you can make their tooth-brushing sessions a bit more fun by allowing them to choose a toothbrush that they like. Try looking for toothbrushes that feature characters from your child’s favorite television shows, or help them find a toothbrush in their favorite color. While quality should always be a concern, the majority of the products offered by major toothbrush manufacturers are approved for children.
It’s recommended that you brush your teeth for at least two minutes, but this can feel like an eternity to your child. Playing one of your child’s favorite songs while they brush their teeth may help the time to pass more quickly, making the daily rituals a bit less tedious for your child. Being in the bathroom with your child will also provide you with the opportunity to correct any mistakes he or she is making while brushing.
One of the best ways that you can motivate your child to practice good oral hygiene is by rewarding them. Of course, we don’t recommend sugary treats, but rewarding your child with a new toy or activity can provide them with the motivation they need to brush their teeth regularly. The type of reward system you choose should vary according to your child, but many parents and studies have found that small, consistent rewards are the most effective.
Instead of reading the usual stories before bed, try finding some tooth-related stories for your child. Books and stories are fun ways to teach your children the importance of brushing their teeth. For example, the story about The Tooth Fairy is a great way to motivate your child to keep their teeth beautiful and healthy.
Teach your children that the Tooth Fairy collects teeth that have fallen out and leave small “presents” in return. If the fairy finds a good healthy looking tooth she will reward them for it. This way your child will feel less anxious about losing their teeth and show interest to nurture them as well.
Kids love music and dancing. You can include music in your brushing routines to make the moment fun and exciting. You can use their favorite song to make them love brushing time. Allow your child to dance a bit while brushing their teeth to keep it fun for them. They can even sing along with the tune as they brush.
Experts say that children should learn to brush their teeth from the age of two, with assistance from their parents. Good dental hygiene at an early age will fend off plaque, cavities, and many major dental problems they might experience later on in life. A healthy oral hygiene routine includes a full mouth cleaning at least once a day which includes brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash.
The best way to teach oral hygiene is to join your child in his brushing routine. Children look up to their parents. This is why leading by example is the best way to teach them proper dental care habits.
Brush your teeth in front of your child and have them brush theirs too. While brushing together show your child good brushing techniques. By teaching them how to brush properly, they will learn to do it on their own.
Recourses:
gentlecaredentists.com
lifehack.org
drcodykidsdental.com
We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. Growing Smiles is a pediatric dentist in Anna, Richardson, Plano, Garland, Murphy we have Pediatric Services in Texas: Early Childhood Care, Preventive Care, General Treatments, Sedation Dentistry, Special Needs Dentistry, Emergency Service and Orthodontic (Braces & Invisalign) For more information call us to answer all of your questions so get an appointment today.
Early childhood dental decay is a severe form of tooth decay that affects the teeth of infants and young children. It is found usually on the upper front teeth but other teeth may also be affected.
Tooth decay happens when germs in the mouth create a sticky covering called plaque on the tooth surface. These germs feed on sugars in food and drinks and produce an acid that damages the tooth surface. Over time, this acid eats away at the surface of the tooth, creating holes or ‘cavities’.
Tooth decay can cause pain and infection. It can even affect children’s growth. Severe decay in baby teeth can have serious consequences for your child’s nutrition, speech, and jaw development.
Early tooth decay can be hard to spot. The first sign of tooth decay is when teeth develop a dull, white band along the gum line (the area at the base of the teeth, near the gums). You might also see brown spots on the teeth, and the gums might be red and swollen.
With more advanced tooth decay, you might notice blackened holes in the teeth or broken teeth. If the decay has led to an infection, you might notice lumps or pimples on the gums or swelling around the gums and face.
Early childhood dental decay can start as soon as the tooth appears in the mouth.
Whitish marks on the tooth surface close to the gum line may be an early sign of tooth decay. At this early ‘white spot’ stage, the decay process can be stopped and/or reversed by the use of fluoride.
If it is left untreated it can quickly progress to become a hole that will need dental treatment. This more advanced stage of decay will have a yellow-brown or black appearance on teeth.
Decay is more likely to occur in infants or toddlers who:
• fall asleep sucking a bottle filled with a sugary liquid or a dummy dipped in a sweet substance such as honey
• have prolonged (more than one year) on-demand breastfeeding
• get poor oral hygiene
Frequent snacking can also contribute to tooth decay because there is less time between eating to allow teeth to recover from plaque acid attacks.
Children are not born with decay-causing bacteria in the mouth.
These bacteria are passed to the child by their parents or caregivers through food tasting and/or through cleaning a dummy or teat in their mouths.
By keeping their mouth healthy, parents can reduce the risk of decay in themselves and their children.
Oral hygiene should start from birth, even before teeth erupt (come through). Start by cleaning your child’s gums after feeds and then start cleaning teeth as soon as they come through.
Cleaning teeth isn’t a guarantee against tooth decay. The types of food and drink you give your child also affect dental health and the development of tooth decay.
Newborns and young babies need only breastmilk or formula.
When your breastfed or formula-fed baby is older than six months, she can also have small amounts of water. Avoid giving your baby sweetened milk, fruit juice or cordials.
Children need a wide variety of healthy foods and snacks. Foods and drinks that are low in sugar are best. Avoid giving your children sweet biscuits or cakes. If your child does eat something sweet, drinking a glass of water or eating tooth-friendly food afterward can reduce the amount of acid on your child’s teeth.
Resources:
raisingchildren.net
healthywa.wa.gov
We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. Growing Smiles is a pediatric dentist in Anna, Richardson, Plano, Garland, Murphy we have Pediatric Services in Texas: Early Childhood Care, Preventive Care, General Treatments, Sedation Dentistry, Special Needs Dentistry, Emergency Service and Orthodontic (Braces & Invisalign) For more information call us to answer all of your questions so get an appointment today.
Teething is a normal part of a baby’s development during the first year of life. Most babies get their first tooth between 4 and 7 months of age. The first teeth that poke through the gums are the central incisors, which are located on the bottom front.
While most infants get their first teeth months after birth, some babies are born with one or more teeth. These are called natal teeth. Natal teeth are relatively rare, occurring in about NJ 1 out of every 2,000 births.
It can be a shock if your baby is born with teeth. But you don’t need to worry or take action unless the teeth interfere with feeding, or are a choking hazard. Your pediatrician can help advise you about what to do.
Natal teeth can seem mysterious, but certain conditions can increase the chances of babies being born with teeth. Babies who are born with irregularities in dentin (the calcified tissues that help form teeth) may also have natal teeth.
There are underlying medical issues that may cause natal teeth. These include the following syndromes:
What Are the Risk Factors for Natal Teeth?
In addition to certain medical conditions, there are a few risk factors that may increase a baby’s chances of being born with teeth. About 15 percent of babies born with teeth have close family members that had natal teeth when they were born, too. These include siblings and parents.
While there are conflicting studies on the role of gender and natal teeth, females seem to be more likely to be born with teeth than males.
Malnutrition during pregnancy is another possible risk factor.
While some babies are born with teeth, the situation isn’t always so clear cut. There are four types of natal teeth. Your doctor can determine which case your baby has:
Most cases of natal teeth involve just one tooth. Being born with multiple teeth is even rarer. Lower front teeth are the most common, followed by upper front teeth. Less than 1 percent of babies with natal teeth are born with molars.
Some babies aren’t born with teeth, but get them shortly after birth. Generally seen within the first month of life, teeth that emerge soon after birth are called neonatal teeth.
According to the journal Pediatrics, neonatal teeth are even rarer than natal teeth. In other words, your baby has a higher chance (though rare) of being born with teeth than getting teeth a few weeks after birth.
Symptoms of teething can start as early as 3 months of age. But in these cases, your baby won’t get any actual teeth for a month or more after that. Neonatal teeth appear so quickly after birth that your baby may not exhibit the normal telltale signs of teething like drooling, fussiness, and biting their fingers.
Natal teeth that aren’t loose are usually left alone. But if your baby is born with loose teeth that have no roots, your doctor might recommend surgical removal. These types of natal teeth can put your baby at risk for:
A loose tooth will be looked at via an X-ray to determine whether a solid root structure is present. If no such structure exists, removal may be necessary.
Yes, it is important to clean teeth at whatever age they appear, but you should do it very gently as the teeth may be loose.
And as a general guideline for all parents dealing with new baby teeth, at whatever age they first appear, brush regularly as part of the morning and night routine – just before going to bed, using a flat smear of fluoride toothpaste until they are 3 years of age.”
Resources:
healthline.com
madeformums.com
rarediseases.info.nih.gov
ninds.nih.gov
rarediseases.org
stanfordchildrens.org
We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. Growing Smiles is a pediatric dentist in Anna, Richardson, Plano, Garland, Murphy we have Pediatric Services in Texas: Early Childhood Care, Preventive Care, General Treatments, Sedation Dentistry, Special Needs Dentistry, Emergency Service and Orthodontic (Braces & Invisalign) For more information call us to answer all of your questions so get an appointment today.