Last updated 1 day 10 hours ago
If you have braces, chances are you'll encounter a common orthodontic problem during the treatment process. Most issues that occur with braces aren't emergencies, but a call to your orthodontist is still a good idea. Here are some steps you can follow to take care of minor orthodontic problems at home until you can see your orthodontist.
Minor pain or discomfort is fairlycommon after braces are first put on or after adjustment appointments. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help with discomfort and inflammation. Ice packs can help with swelling and irritation as well. Ask your orthodontist for more pain relieving tips if medication and a cold compress are ineffective.
Wires or brackets can poke or irritate the tender tissue of the gums and cheeks. A simple fix for problem wires or brackets is to cover them with dental wax provided by your orthodontist. If the wires extend too far past the tooth, use dental wax and schedule an appointment in order for your orthodontist to snip the wire.
If any part of your braces breaks, call your orthodontist for an appointment. Find the pieces that have broken off and bring them with you to your appointment. Use dental wax to protect your mouth from the broken braces until your orthodontist can fix the problem.
Accidents or injuries to the mouth require treatment by your orthodontist. During impact, braces can cut the lips, gums, or cheeks, and a hard blow to the mouth could damage teeth or dislodge braces. If you are hit in the mouth, fall, or suffer any other injury to the mouth, call the orthodontist or head to the ER if bleeding is severe.
At OrthoExpress in Riverside, we offer the orthodontic treatments you or your child needs to have a beautiful, healthy smile. Our braces can correct common problems with teeth in a short amount of time. For an appointment, call (951) 263-7662.
Last updated 8 days ago
Orthodontic treatments are necessary for many kids. Starting treatment early can make a difference in the length of time your child spends in braces and can give him or her better results when braces come off. Here are some of the benefits of early orthodontic treatment:
As teeth grow in, they can crowd one another. This crowding leads to teeth being pushed out of their normal positions, misalignment, and other dental concerns. Early orthodontic treatment can create room for teeth to come in properly and prevent other teeth from being overcrowded and pushed out of place.
Starting braces early can shorten the total length of orthodontic treatment. Getting braces sooner means problems can be corrected before they progress and cause secondary problems. Starting orthodontic treatments sooner and getting done sooner is a great tradeoff!
Some habits, like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, can cause serious orthodontic problems. Braces and other orthodontic treatments can stop these problems before they severely misalign the teeth and jaw. Treatment not only curbs the habit, but also corrects damage that has occurred.
Orthodontic treatment can encourage bone growth in the jaw and facial bones in order to increase facial symmetry. This is a helpful treatment option for kids who suffer from facial deformities. Early braces can fix problems with the teeth as well as stimulate bone growth in the jaw and face.
Did you know that orthodontics can help with speech problems? Getting braces at a young age can help correct speech issues that may be caused by improper location, position, or alignment of the teeth or jaws. An orthodontist and a speech therapist can suggest the proper combination of treatment for your child.
For early orthodontic treatment in Riverside, come to OrthoExpress. We offer braces and other treatments designed to correct many common problems with the teeth, jaw, facial structure, and speech. For an appointment, call (951) 263-7662.
Last updated 15 days ago
If you’re unhappy with your smile, check out the following links to find information on how orthodontic therapy can help.
- Get information on how to properly maintain your dental health while wearing braces or retainers by reading through this article from MedicineNet.com.
- Wearing braces means you’ll have to avoid certain foods that can damage the brackets and bend the wires. To find out which foods you’ll have to ban from your pantry, visit Parenthood.com.
- The American Dental Association provides a detailed FAQ regarding braces and orthodontic appliances.
- Find more information about the health benefits of wearing braces from this article, which also explains the pros and cons of wearing different types of braces.
- Check out this article from Colgate.com to learn more about orthodontics and what type of oral issues this branch of dentistry can correct.
Begin your orthodontic treatment by calling OrthoExpress at (951) 263-7662. We use the most advanced orthodontic technology available to reduce treatment times and costs while providing beautiful results.
Last updated 22 days ago
Imagine having a straight smile that shines bright. Now imagine getting that smile in 15 months or less without having to pay the average cost of traditional braces. When you visit an orthodontist who offers OrthoExpress, this dream can become a reality. OrthoExpress orthodontics use revolutionary technology to reduce the amount of time patients are required to wear braces.
- A Dual Adjustment at Each Visit
Traditional orthodontic treatments that can take two years or more to complete involve slow adjustments. Often, the orthodontist only tightens one archwire during each visit. This slows down the treatment, prolonging the amount of time the patient must wear braces. If you choose to undergo OrthoExpress, both the top and bottom archwires will be adjusted during each visit—this can cut traditional treatment times in half.
- Frequent Adjustment Appointments
During traditional orthodontic treatments, patients are required to visit their orthodontist every eight to ten weeks. During these visits, slight adjustments are made to the braces to gradually further treatment progress. With OrthoExpress, patients undergo an adjustment once every month, and major adjustments are made at each appointment. This speeds up treatment, leading to a better-looking and healthier smile in less time.
OrthoExpress was developed to give patients a healthy and straight smile in 15 months or less, shortening the amount of time a person must experience oral discomfort. The OrthoExpress treatment plan aims to reduce time spent in braces without sacrificing results.
Since the OrthoExpress process reduces treatment time, patients actually pay less than they would for traditional orthodontic treatments. In fact, the average patient saves between 30 and 40 percent by having an OrthoExpress treatment, making the total cost less than $3,500.
If you would like to find out if you or your child is a candidate for this type of orthodontic treatment, call OrthoExpress at (951) 263-7662. We’ll work with you to find convenient and affordable orthodontic solutions for your smile.
Last updated 29 days ago
Braces produce long-lasting results that can boost your self-confidence and open up a variety of personal and professional opportunities. However, if you fail to properly care for your braces, you could risk interfering with the orthodontic treatment, which could increase the amount of time you will have to wear your braces. Follow these food-related guidelines while wearing your braces to get the attractive smile you desire:
Your braces are attached to your teeth by a thin layer of dental adhesive. This glue is made to withstand some pressure from food, but it can’t hold up to constant chewing of hard foods. Consequently, you should avoid items like ciabatta bread, corn chips, pretzels, corn on the cob, ice cubs, nuts, hard cookies, popcorn kernels, raw carrots, and other foods that require high-pressure chomping.
- Abstain from Chewy Snacks
Sticky foods such as bubble gum, taffy, beef jerky, gummy bears, and caramel can bend the wires of your braces, dislodge brackets, and loosen your bands. Plus, these foods can get stuck around your braces, forcing you to discreetly dislodge the leftover pieces from your brackets. Avoid these foods to reduce the hassle of wearing braces and to protect the orthodontic technology.
Your orthodontist will recommend that you stay clear of sweet foods for a variety of reasons. Sugary snacks such as caramel, fruit roll-ups, and candy will stick to your braces and put pressure on the brackets. They can also get lodged beneath the arch wire and lead to tooth decay and gum disease. That’s why it’s important to avoid sugary foods whenever possible, brush multiple times a day, have regular teeth cleanings, and floss between your brackets and wires regularly, especially after consuming sugary items.
If you’re ready for a better-looking and healthier smile, call OrthoExpress today at (951) 263-7662. We use revolutionary orthodontic techniques and cutting-edge dental technology to provide high-quality orthodontic care.
