Four Unexpected Reasons to Keep Your Gums and Teeth Clean and Healthy

Preventing cavities and bad breath are not health-related reasons to keep your teeth clean and your gums healthy. Here are four reasons to keep your teeth and gums healthy that you might not have considered or even known about.

A healthier heart 

A study reported in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology concludes that good oral hygiene habits are connected to a decreased risk of heart failure and atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat). What’s the connection between brushing, flossing, and heart health? Neglecting your oral hygiene in Orlando increases the number of bacteria circulating throughout your body which can lead to inflammation. Chronic inflammation is associated with a wide range of serious diseases, including diabetes, cancer, arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and heart disease. 

Because inflammation interferes with the heart’s ability to pump and distribute blood throughout your body efficiently, good dental hygiene habits that may avoid increases in bacteria throughout your body may contribute to good heart health. 

Healthier lungs

What’s the connection between your lungs, teeth, and gums? Poor dental hygiene allows bacteria in your mouth to flourish — for better and for worse. While many bacteria are beneficial for and essential to your good health, that’s not true for all of them. Many bacteria present in your mouth can cause diseases throughout your body — including in your lungs and even in your brain. Bacteria — beneficial and potentially harmful, alike — are easily inhaled into your lungs along with particles of saliva. There, bacteria that originated in your mouth can develop into lung conditions such as bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), pneumonia, and emphysema. 

To avoid increasing your risk of developing those types of lung conditions, you can reduce the proliferation of harmful bacteria in your mouth by brushing twice daily and flossing daily as well as occasionally using an antibacterial mouthwash. 

Healthier pregnancies

At any stage of life, your mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria. Hormonal changes in your body — including during pregnancy — affect and change the risks associated with those bacteria. Pregnant women, for example, are at greater risk of developing gingivitis, the minor form of gum disease. Gingivitis itself can be reversed simply by recommitting to proper dental hygiene habits. If not reversed, though, gingivitis can progress to serious and chronic periodontitis. Periodontitis will eventually destroy gum tissue and jaw bone matter. 

The same bacteria that contribute to serious periodontitis can also affect a fetus while still in a pregnant woman’s womb. A 2010 study called “Periodontitis: A risk for delivery of premature labor and low-birth-weight infants” in the Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine found that the presence of gum disease in a pregnant woman’s mouth increases the risk of experiencing a premature or low-birth-weight birth. If you are or plan to become pregnant, be sure to let your dentist know so that you can be as proactive and prepared as possible to prevent and eliminate any gum disease.

Healthier sexual function for men

If the first three unknown benefits of good oral hygiene habits didn’t surprise you, does this one? A July 2017 report published in the Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences found that men suffering from severe chronic periodontitis were more than three times more likely than men with healthy gums to also suffer from erectile dysfunction. The connection between periodontitis and erectile dysfunction appears to lie in the body’s inflammatory response. Chronic inflammation causes serious damage to endothelial cells that line all the blood vessels in your body — including blood vessels in a man’s penis.

If you’re persuaded — again or for the first time — and want to learn more about best practices for maintaining healthy oral hygiene near you, get in touch with a dentist in Orlando to identify and address any issues that may exist. After all, maintaining clean teeth and healthy gums with the help of a dentist near you can help you achieve a healthy heart, healthy lungs, safer pregnancies and a more fulfilling romantic relationship.

Are Braces a Good Option For You?

It’s easy to take some of the traditional things for granted, and to get distracted and caught up in all the newfangled options with their bells and whistles. It’s true; none of today’s sophisticated alternatives to traditional wire and metal braces have bells and whistles, per se, but they are popular and well-marketed options. As popular as options like Invisalign are, though, traditional braces are a compelling choice for many people every day. 

Could braces be right for you? That will depend on a wide variety of factors, including the current position of your teeth, the combination of movements that will need to be completed, your lifestyle, your budget, your timelines, your tolerance for treatment, and more. Here’s an introduction to orthodontic treatment with braces, and what to expect from braces.

Orthodontics in Orlando begins with a consultation where your orthodontist will take and review x-rays of your teeth and jaw. Not every spacing and alignment issue requires braces. Your dentist will recommend treatment options and answer any questions about orthodontics near you, braces, and length of treatment.

Getting Braces

Once you or your family has made the decision to get metal braces near you, the process of placing them on your teeth involves five steps. These five steps can be accomplished quickly in a single appointment.

• Your teeth will be polished, then air-dried, so that the metal brackets will bond securely to your teeth. Traditionally, those brackets are made of high-quality stainless steel or titanium, but your dentist will describe the option of providing ceramic braces near you. Ceramic braces are more expensive and less durable than metal brackets but do offer the advantage of subtlety since they blend more naturally with the color of your teeth
• Conditioner is used on your teeth for 30 seconds to prepare them for bonding to the braces’ brackets. Once the conditioner is removed and your teeth are dried, an orthodontist near you will apply adhesive primer to your teeth
• Cement will be put on the back of the brackets which will then be placed on your teeth in the precise position required to reposition them over time
• The cement will be hardened using high-intensity light which bonds those brackets securely to your teeth
• Dental archwires are then placed in and between the brackets with elastic ties to connect them to each other and exert the subtle pressure needed to re-align the teeth

Getting Used to Braces

Beginning several hours after braces are placed on your teeth, you will experience tightness and even some soreness. That tightness and soreness is a normal and expected sensation caused by the dental arch wires beginning to shift your teeth. Patients usually experience that soreness for three to five days, after which it subsides. Over-the-counter pain medication can help resolve the discomfort if necessary.

Adjustment Appointments

Orthodontics is a dynamic exercise of moving and responding to the movement of your teeth to accomplish your goal. Every three to 10 weeks, you’ll visit your orthodontist in Orlando so that the elastic ties that properly position the dental archwires can be adjusted to ensure the right pressure is placed in the right locations to achieve your goals. After each adjustment appointment, you’ll probably feel familiar tightness for several hours. That’s a symptom of progress. 

During the adjustment appointments, the elastic ties and archwires are often removed. With those ties and wires off your teeth, your orthodontist will review your progress, renew your bands and wires, and answer any questions. Best yet, you’ll even be able to brush and floss thoroughly before wires are put back in your mouth.

Your orthodontist will provide you with clear instructions about living with braces in Orlando, including foods to avoid and how to keep your teeth clean throughout the whole process. It is not the time to fall down on your oral care habits. 

Orthodontics is a proven solution for crooked, misaligned, and improperly spaced teeth. It is an investment of time and money that will pay off with a lifelong smile that is straighter, healthier, and more confident. When you’re ready to take the first step toward that healthier and more confident future with metal or ceramic braces in Orlando, contact an orthodontist for an assessment.

Is It True Ceramic Braces are Better Than Metal Braces?

Ceramic braces have brackets and wires that are similar to those of traditional braces, but instead, they use modern properties to enable them to blend with your smile. The brackets can be clear or colored to match your teeth, and this allows the ceramic braces that have white wire to fit in and become practically invisible.

This approach takes care of more serious bite alignment problems than Invisalign or different clear tray methods, using to its advantage the tightly affixed brackets, it guides the wires to accomplish incredible results. Ceramic braces in Orlando can also be used only in the forward-facing upper teeth, in blend with metal braces on the not-so-visible lower and back teeth

There happen to be several reviews concerning ceramic braces stating an issue with stains. This is true, but for the earliest variants of ceramic braces, modifications to the technology have been made and it has extensively lessened this concern. If one takes proper care of it, staining would not be a problem.

What Is The Best Choice For You?

It all begins with a consultation with us at All About Smiles Ortho. After the consultation, our dentists in Orlando will help you to choose the best braces that suit your personal needs. When you are considering metal braces vs. ceramic braces, here are some major factors to look at:

• Your Age - ceramic braces are frequently recommended for teenagers and adults.
• Your recreational activities - metal braces remain the pillar of strength, and they will most likely be recommended for those who engage in contact sporting events.
• Your mouth sensitivity - some patients complain of more discomfort from metal braces, while others complain of the same issue with ceramic braces. In this case, personal sensitivity may guide your choice.
• Cost - when it comes to cost, ceramic braces happen to cost more than traditional metal braces.
• What type of correction is needed - Ceramic braces may seem to almost be as strong as metal braces, but there are certain conditions that only metal braces can correct.

 

There are very few cons of ceramic vs. metal braces, but both braces have the same precepts, and they allow a significant improvement of many orthodontic problems. But, the heightened appearance of ceramic braces can also be the determining factor. Contact our team to speak to an Orthodontist near you about ceramic braces today!

 

Types of Retainers and Which One to Choose

Many people look for an orthodontist in Orlando because they want to show a beautiful smile. It is safe to say that everyone wants white and bright (and straight!) teeth.

Thanks to cosmetic dentistry, there are multiple options to enhance your smile. You may look for an orthodontist near you if you have crooked teeth.

Orthodontic treatment has many benefits. Among them, you may find:

Aesthetics – After your orthodontic treatment, your teeth will look beautiful! But remember that you must not forget to wear your retainers after the treatment. We will explain this further, and you may google retainers near you if you want to start your treatment right away.

Boost your self-esteem – Improving your appearance will boost your confidence. You will not feel self-conscious about your smile, and you will feel happy and beautiful.

Motivation to care for your teeth – Research shows that when people undergo cosmetic dental procedures, they feel more motivated to maintain good oral care to extend the life of the treatments they underwent. 

Reduce the risk of getting cavities – It happens because, as we mentioned above, if you take care of your oral health, you maintain dental issues away. Also, when teeth are in their correct position, there is less dental plaque buildup (when teeth are crooked, there is more risk of accumulating bacteria and food debris). 

Lower risk of TMD – TMD stands for temporomandibular disorder. When you bite correctly, your temporomandibular joint does not suffer, and it is healthier.

Wearing Retainers After Your Orthodontic Treatment

When our orthodontist removes the braces from our patients, they are so happy; however, it is then that they must be diligent in wearing retainers every day. We offer retainers in Orlando perfect for maintaining teeth in their new, correct position.

Teeth Shift!

Teeth have memory, and after your braces are off, they will shift unless you wear something that keeps them in place. There are three types of retainers that we work with and will help you keep your smile aligned and beautiful.

1. The Hawley

It consists of acrylic that rests over your palate with wires that hold your teeth to prevent them from shifting. It is a popular device, but some people prefer a more discrete type.

2. Clear Retainer

As the name suggests, it consists of a transparent plastic tray that fits over your teeth to prevent their shifting. Your dental professional takes an impression of your mouth with a special putty, and a dental technician creates the retainers.The main benefit is that it is an aesthetic device. It is also removable (like the Hawley retainer).

You must brush it every day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a mild soap or a nonabrasive toothpaste since the conventional one may damage them.

3. Fixed Retainer

It is the permanent type, perfect for people who don’t like removable devices. Your doctor will bond a wire on the back of your teeth with composite resin, and after a few days, you will forget that you are wearing it!

Which One to Choose?

It will depend on your wants and needs. If, for example, you clench your teeth, we suggest opting for the clear retainers because they sort of work as a mouth guard and might help to alleviate the symptoms derived from bruxism. 

If you want a discrete device, you may opt for the fixed retainers or the clear ones. 

Dentistry is not one-size-fits-all. We may advise you and guide you along the process, but you have the final word. 

The essential thing is that, whatever your choice is, you wear it, so you don’t lose the achievements of your orthodontic treatment.

 

The Pros and Cons of Ceramic Braces?

For all that you have heard about the features and benefits of Invisalign — and there’s lots to talk about, to be sure — traditional braces are the right choice for a lot of people ready to achieve their goal of straighter and more beautiful teeth. Even on the topic of traditional braces, though, there are wrinkles and innovations to be aware of. No, you don’t need to settle for the far-from-subtle appearance of stainless steel or titanium brackets and wires on your teeth. Now, your orthodontist in Orlando can offer ceramic braces, too. What do you need to know about ceramic braces made from composite materials?

What are the advantages of ceramic braces?

More subtle 

The composite materials that are used to create ceramic braces in Orlando can be blended to match the colour of your teeth. Will they be invisible? No, but ceramic braces tinted to match your enamel will be much more subtle and discreet than traditional metal braces. This may make ceramic braces an ideal solution for adults who want to bid adieu to their crooked teeth without facing teenager-like stigma.

Faster than Invisalign 

Invisalign is obviously another alternative to traditional braces that offers even more discretion and subtlety than ceramic braces, but ceramic braces near you have at least one significant advantage over Invisalign. Orthodontic treatment plans using ceramic braces may be a year shorter than an Invisalign treatment plan. For patients with severe misalignment or malocclusion that can’t be treated with Invisalign can be fixed with ceramic braces. 

What are the disadvantages of ceramic braces?

More expensive

Those benefits of ceramic braces — subtlety compared to metal braces and speed compared to Invisalign — do come at a cost: cost. Ceramic braces are more expensive than traditional wire and metal braces, usually by approximately $1,000 to $2,000 more expensive than metal braces. For a specific and detailed quotation, speak to an orthodontist near you. An orthodontist near you will help you explain if that extra investment is worth it for you. 

Larger

The ceramic brackets used to straighten your teeth with ceramic braces are larger than the brackets used in traditional wire and metal braces. That doesn’t affect their appearance much considering the teeth-matching ceramic materials but does have an effect on keeping your teeth clean. Clearing your teeth around those larger brackets can be a bit more difficult. 

Less durable

Ceramic materials are less durable than stainless steel. That means that ceramic braces are more likely to break than metal brackets. If you’re an athlete or musician whose recreational activities may expose your brackets to unusual stress and strain, talk to your orthodontist about whether ceramic braces are the right choice for you. 

This is more about maintenance than durability, but it’s a factor to keep in mind. The elastic ties that connect your archwires to your ceramic brackets can be easily stained. When we say “easily,” we mean that they’ll become stained quickly if you don’t act quickly to brush and floss after meals and unless you avoid pigment-rich foods and drinks when you won’t be able to brush and floss right away after eating and drinking them. 

Are ceramic braces right for you? They offer significant advantages in terms of subtlety and speed at the downside of increased cost and special concerns about maintenance and ensuring their lifespan. How do those factors balance for you? Speak to your dentist who is familiar with your lifestyle, habits and needs and ask if ceramic braces are a good option for your needs.

 

Foods to Avoid for Your Oral Hygiene

It is safe to say that for most of our lives, we have heard that we must brush our teeth twice a day to achieve excellent oral health; however, oral hygiene in Orlando includes more than that.

While it is true that you need to brush your dentition with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, you should also include the following recommendations in your oral care routine:

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush – A hard-bristled toothbrush can damage your teeth even if you brush them gently. Our orthodontist in Orlando recommends brushing with a soft-bristled one.

Change your toothbrush regularly – The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends changing it every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. Floss – A toothbrush cannot reach the surface between teeth. Flossing is essential to clean 40% of your dentition. 

Keep up with your dental checkups – Some people don’t schedule an appointment with a dental professional unless something is hurting. Pain is a sign that there is already a problem, and you should maintain your checkups even when you think everything is alright. It is the only way to detect early signs of an oral issue and keep dental problems away.

Extra care if you are undergoing orthodontic treatment – If you are looking for an orthodontist near you because you want to straighten your teeth, you must take extra care of them. Wearing braces increases your risk of periodontal disease and cavities; hence, applying all these recommendations will be vital for a successful treatment.

The recommendations given above will improve your oral hygiene. And if you find yourself searching on the Internet for “oral hygiene near you”, you can keep on reading because we will discuss another vital aspect of taking care of your dentition – the food.

Food provides you with the energy to perform your daily activities. It also provides your body with the nutrients to be healthy and develop correctly; however, some foods are dangerous to your teeth. 

We will list the worst food for your dentition below.

1. Candy

If you were thinking of Candy, you were right. It is not a surprise that Candy is among these foods. We know that a sweet now and then keeps you satisfied; however, you must brush your teeth afterward. Candies contain sugars that stick to your teeth, and bacteria will react, producing the acids that wear your enamel away. The consequence is tooth decay, and we need to keep those away!

2. Acidic Fruits

Fruits are included in any healthy diet; nevertheless, consuming excessively acidic fruits and vegetables, such as lemons, oranges, and tomatoes, weakens your enamel. 

Here is a tip for you – try combining them with more neutral foods to regulate the citric acid and avoid harming your teeth, and if you eat acidic foods, wait an hour before brushing your teeth, as brushing right after will erode even more your enamel.

3. Refined Starches

Some people think that only candies contain sugars, but it is a misconception. Starches break down and produce sugars that attract bacteria, resulting in tooth decay.

4. Hard Foods

Teeth are not indestructible, unlike what many people think. Chewing hard foods, such as nuts, corn, ice, may harm your teeth and even crack them. You may be lucky and suffer from a minor crack only, but you may get a vertical crack in a tooth after biting these foods, and these are irreparable, leading to tooth extraction.

5. Alcohol

Drinking alcohol can lead to a dry mouth, which is a perfect environment for bacteria to grow. Remember that saliva has cleaning properties, which is why it is vital to stay hydrated daily.

 

Tips For Orthodontic Emergencies

Orthodontics is the branch of dental sciences that deals with the positioning of teeth and the subsequent problems arising out of it. You might already be familiar with the wires and metal brackets of braces, or you might be new to this world. In either case, it helps to have some general knowledge about orthodontic issues to keep you prepared.

What Is An Orthodontic Emergency?

Although a dental emergency is rarely caused by an orthodontic problem, it is not unheard of. Staying aware and prepared for a scenario where orthodontic emergency crops up, and knowing where to find emergency orthodontic treatment near you, will save you a lot of stress. The occurrence of any of these symptoms, while you are undergoing orthodontic treatment, is considered an orthodontic emergency:

1. Severe injury to the mouth, jaw, neck, or face.

2. Bleeding or swelling of the gums.

3. Severe sudden pain in the mouth, jaws, face, or neck.

During any of these events, you should head straight for an orthodontist near you specializing in emergency orthodontic care. There is no need to worry about the interruption in your orthodontic treatment as it can be resumed once your emergency improves. 

Some orthodontic emergencies can be handled by yourself, while others might require you to seek emergency orthodontic treatment in Orlando. For instance, a fractured tooth needs immediate medical attention, while something like a mouth sore caused by irritation or rubbing against braces can be dealt with at home. 

Here we will provide guiding steps to handle minor orthodontic emergencies at home.

1. Brackets Or Wires Coming Loose

If you feel some parts of your braces, like the bands, wires or brackets, are coming loose or breaking, you will eventually have to see an orthodontist to have them fixed. However, meanwhile, you should not use elastics or other methods to join any parts of your braces together. It is best to leave it as is or keep it functional with the use of orthodontic wax to stop any irritations or mouth sores caused by the loose wires. 

If a part of your braces has actually broken off, please put it safely in a plastic bag and take it to your orthodontist in Orlando to have it fixed. 

2. Mouth Sores Due To Irritation From Braces

Some people are already more susceptible to mouth ulcers or sores, and the use of braces can further exacerbate the situation. Pain from the sores on the cheek, lips, tongue, or gums can be controlled by applying a topical anesthetic directly onto the sore. Orthodontic wax is another easy method of dealing with mouth sores due to rubbing against braces. You can apply a small portion of orthodontic wax, rolled into a disc, over the part of the braces causing friction with your cheeks or gums. This will smoothen the sharp edges of the braces and provide comfort to the soft parts of your mouth.

3. Archwire Moving Out Of Position

With the progress of the orthodontic treatment, your teeth will begin to move from their positions, making the archwire that connects the braces to move as well. This can usually be fixed at home by pushing the archwire back to position with the help of a cotton swab or eraser at the back of a pencil. Sometimes the archwire can begin to poke at the back of the mouth causing pain and irritation. A piece of orthodontic wax can help here in the same way as before, by placing it over the jutting archwire to cushion the inner tissue of your mouth against it. 

4. Toothaches Or Loose Teeth

Over time, wearing braces can make you feel as if your teeth are coming loose, and cause minor toothaches. This is normal and an indication that the orthodontic treatment is working. Since this pain is expected to subside in a few days, normal pain medications and warm salt-water rinses can help minimize the pain. However, if the pain persists you should get in touch with an orthodontist immediately.

Most orthodontic emergencies can be handled at home, with proper knowledge and the right care. For more serious problems, All About Smiles Ortho is just a call away!