Brushing our teeth is not number 1 in our lives either. We understand. You do not have to be obsessed with cleaning your teeth to have healthy teeth and gums, with or without braces.
Clean by the gum line for two minutes - at least once a day, but twice a day is better. If you miss an area once, you will catch it the second time.
Patients will come in and tell us: "yah, I forgot to brush my teeth this morning". Well okay. In these cases we almost always see plaque - that white stuff that collects around the gum line. Plaque takes at least 24 hours to grow so we are often seeing the result of a few days growth. So the toothbrush bristles were missing the gum line for at least a few days.
Don't feel bad. Just get in their with the toothbrush by the gum line. Your gums may bleed a bit. That means you want to brush your teeth more - not less. A few days of brushing by the gum line and all will be right.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Good News - Keeping Your Teeth Clean With Braces is Easy
Less good news - it is really important.
If you are frustrated that you are brushing but we are still pointing out the problems with your teeth and gums, do not be discouraged. You are either not brushing in the right places - by the gum line. Or you are not brushing long enough.
Concentrate on the gum line. Concentrate on the gum line. Concentrate on the gum line.
And 10 to 15 seconds can seem a long time to brush, but it is not enough. Two minutes brushing by the gum line will do it.
Please do it. It is easy. It is really important.
If you are frustrated that you are brushing but we are still pointing out the problems with your teeth and gums, do not be discouraged. You are either not brushing in the right places - by the gum line. Or you are not brushing long enough.
Concentrate on the gum line. Concentrate on the gum line. Concentrate on the gum line.
And 10 to 15 seconds can seem a long time to brush, but it is not enough. Two minutes brushing by the gum line will do it.
Please do it. It is easy. It is really important.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
What You Are Cleaning Off Your Teeth
You are cleaning plaque and the food that feeds the plaque. Plaque is a thin colorless film of bacteria that forms when fed by the food you eat. The plaque must be removed or it will cause permanent stains on your teeth and your gums will become swollen and bleed easily. The plaque is an infection and you don't want that.
Brushing your teeth with a soft bristle tooth brush by the gum line is the way to remove the plaque. Flossing is less important than really good brushing. Concentrate on the brushing.
Plaque takes 24 hours to grow so you if you are seeing plaque, it is not because you skipped your morning brush. It has been at least 24 hours since the toothbrush bristles reached that area - often longer. When we see gobs of plaque by the gum line, we know that you have been missing those areas for days.
Often people will tell us they are brushing their teeth. And we believe them. The trouble is that they are brushing the chewing side of the teeth, but that is not where the plaque collects and that is not where the problems occur. Its the gum line. Unless you get the bristles there by the gum line, you will not remove the plaque.
Bleeding gums always mean to brush more by the gums - never less. The bleeding isw a sign of the infection and will quickly get better once you keep it clean for a few days.
Brushing your teeth with a soft bristle tooth brush by the gum line is the way to remove the plaque. Flossing is less important than really good brushing. Concentrate on the brushing.
Plaque takes 24 hours to grow so you if you are seeing plaque, it is not because you skipped your morning brush. It has been at least 24 hours since the toothbrush bristles reached that area - often longer. When we see gobs of plaque by the gum line, we know that you have been missing those areas for days.
Often people will tell us they are brushing their teeth. And we believe them. The trouble is that they are brushing the chewing side of the teeth, but that is not where the plaque collects and that is not where the problems occur. Its the gum line. Unless you get the bristles there by the gum line, you will not remove the plaque.
Bleeding gums always mean to brush more by the gums - never less. The bleeding isw a sign of the infection and will quickly get better once you keep it clean for a few days.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Cleaning Your Teeth With Braces
Keeping your teeth clean, with your braces on will be the theme this week.
When you have braces on, it is very important to keep your teeth clean. Braces do make it harder to clean your teeth. If you are a so-so tooth brusher before braces, you will become a poor tooth brusher with the braces.
The most important part of your teeth to brush is right by the gum line. This is true for everyone - braces or not. Braces make it tougher to reach that area unless you are concentrating on that area.
A lot of people just brush the tops of the teeth - the chewing surfaces and the brush bristles only occasionally get to the right spot by the gum line. With braces, that won't happen so plaque will build up there. You have to get the bristles in by the gum line for sure.
Good news - its easy. Brush with a soft bristle toothbrush by the gums. That's it - that's the secret. Two minutes of brushing by the gums with a soft bristle toothbrush will do the job. Do that once in the morning and once at night before you go to bed and your teeth will remain clean and healthy during your orthodontic treatment and for the rest of your life.
When you have braces on, it is very important to keep your teeth clean. Braces do make it harder to clean your teeth. If you are a so-so tooth brusher before braces, you will become a poor tooth brusher with the braces.
The most important part of your teeth to brush is right by the gum line. This is true for everyone - braces or not. Braces make it tougher to reach that area unless you are concentrating on that area.
A lot of people just brush the tops of the teeth - the chewing surfaces and the brush bristles only occasionally get to the right spot by the gum line. With braces, that won't happen so plaque will build up there. You have to get the bristles in by the gum line for sure.
Good news - its easy. Brush with a soft bristle toothbrush by the gums. That's it - that's the secret. Two minutes of brushing by the gums with a soft bristle toothbrush will do the job. Do that once in the morning and once at night before you go to bed and your teeth will remain clean and healthy during your orthodontic treatment and for the rest of your life.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Position of Braces on the Teeth - The Handles
Each brace is a precise handle on the tooth. Braces are the best way to move teeth because teeth are round and slippery - hard to move unless you have a good handle on them. Retainers and aligners cannot move teeth as well as braces because they don't have the same precise handles.
You can't just place the handle anywhere on the tooth. Well you can actually, but it will take much longer to straighten the teeth and it will take more work for the orthodontist and the patient. The better the braces are placed on the teeth, the better and faster the teeth will move.
I place all the braces in my office - attention to detail. And I position the braces differently for different patients because teeth have to move differently. If you compare two people, one may have the upper braces close to the gum. The other may have the braces farther from the gum. I will even sometimes place a brace flipped or upside down. This is hardly noticeable when you look at it, but it can make a big difference in moving the tooth faster and more comfortably . Not everyone's braces are placed in the same position because people's teeth are different.
I want to get your teeth straight and your braces off, as quickly and as comfortably as possible. Attention to detail in brace position is a big part of that. And that is why all the braces in my office are placed by me.
You can't just place the handle anywhere on the tooth. Well you can actually, but it will take much longer to straighten the teeth and it will take more work for the orthodontist and the patient. The better the braces are placed on the teeth, the better and faster the teeth will move.
I place all the braces in my office - attention to detail. And I position the braces differently for different patients because teeth have to move differently. If you compare two people, one may have the upper braces close to the gum. The other may have the braces farther from the gum. I will even sometimes place a brace flipped or upside down. This is hardly noticeable when you look at it, but it can make a big difference in moving the tooth faster and more comfortably . Not everyone's braces are placed in the same position because people's teeth are different.
I want to get your teeth straight and your braces off, as quickly and as comfortably as possible. Attention to detail in brace position is a big part of that. And that is why all the braces in my office are placed by me.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Teeth Never Stop Moving
If you are alive, your body is always changing. Life is movement. This movement includes your teeth. Your teeth never stop moving whether you have had braces or not.
If you have had braces, you are going to notice those movements even more. That is why we give you retainers - to help hold the teeth in those new straight positions. You want to keep the retainers fitting well. That is a sign your teeth are staying straight. With care, the retainers we give you can last for many years - decades.
No one can predict how your teeth will move or how noticeable that movement may be. If you keep your retainers fitting well, your teeth cannot move very much at all.
Don't get discouraged with your teeth moving - think of it as part of being alive, because it is. Nothing in your body can remain as young and healthy looking as your teeth and smile. You can have a great smile that radiates confidence for your entire life. Keep your retainers fitting and keep seeing your dentist for that healthy smile to last a lifetime.
If you have had braces, you are going to notice those movements even more. That is why we give you retainers - to help hold the teeth in those new straight positions. You want to keep the retainers fitting well. That is a sign your teeth are staying straight. With care, the retainers we give you can last for many years - decades.
No one can predict how your teeth will move or how noticeable that movement may be. If you keep your retainers fitting well, your teeth cannot move very much at all.
Don't get discouraged with your teeth moving - think of it as part of being alive, because it is. Nothing in your body can remain as young and healthy looking as your teeth and smile. You can have a great smile that radiates confidence for your entire life. Keep your retainers fitting and keep seeing your dentist for that healthy smile to last a lifetime.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
New Wires and Treatment Progress
We know what you want - straight teeth and to get your braces off. We want the same thing for you.
We are doing our best to keep your orthodontic treatment progressing to that great smile and your braces off. To make that steady progress we will sometimes change your wire. Other times, the wire you have is still doing its job and a new wire will not help us.
With the Damon braces we use, we do not have to change your wire as often. This means fewer tightening appointments and less discomfort for you. Rest assured we are moving your teeth as quickly and as comfortably as possible. Wire changes are not the only we make progress to get your braces off.
We are doing our best to keep your orthodontic treatment progressing to that great smile and your braces off. To make that steady progress we will sometimes change your wire. Other times, the wire you have is still doing its job and a new wire will not help us.
With the Damon braces we use, we do not have to change your wire as often. This means fewer tightening appointments and less discomfort for you. Rest assured we are moving your teeth as quickly and as comfortably as possible. Wire changes are not the only we make progress to get your braces off.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Braces Are Great and Braces Suck
Remember when you lost a tooth and it felt so strange to have that huge hole there? All you could do was to check it out with your tongue. You were obsessed with that feeling for a few days and then all of a sudden you realized it felt normal again. Same thing with braces - they soon feel normal.
You will totally get used to your braces, or almost totally. But you will be very happy when we take the braces off. You will love the feeling and look of your smile. You will think that it was worth it. Before that there will be times when the braces are a hassle. That is why we are dedicated to seeing your orthodontic treatment finished as soon and as comfortably as possible. That is why we use the Damon System of braces.
Braces are not the only thing that can suck. Crooked teeth suck. Not wanting to smile sucks. Putting off a great smile to a tomorrow that never comes, can suck.
I love what we are able to do for people. I have never been happier about the way we do it. But I never forget that you want your orthodontic treatment to be as quick and as comfortable as possible. My support team and staff never forget that either. We are obsessed with giving you a great smile in less time and in greater comfort.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Why Braces? Why See Your Dentist? Why Smile?
Wow - this is brilliant. This reminds me why I am so proud to be a dentist and an orthodontist. Everyone in the profession can and should be proud - dentists, orthodontists, dental assistants, dental hygienists, dental technicians and lab people, support staff, suppliers - everyone can be proud. I love it.
tip of the hat: http://www.squidoo.com/thebestsmilemaker
tip of the hat: http://www.squidoo.com/thebestsmilemaker
Your Family Dentist
In some cases, orthodontic treatment may not be the best approach. Minor spaces can be treated better by enlarging the teeth. If the spaces are larger, it may make sense to move the teeth with braces and then enlarge the teeth with dental bonding. Every situation is different and special to that person. We work with your dentist to help you get the best result. The internet is going to make it even easier to work together. I am looking forward to getting better at working with my dentist colleagues.
We are always happy to see you for a consultation, to let you know what can be done with orthodontic treatment. Braces make sense in a lot of cases, but not all. We are always happy to sit down and discuss your options with you. You do not need a referral from a dentist to see us - you can call us anytime. But do not forget the quarterback - we won't either.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Time and Timing In Orthodontic Treatment
Earlier I talked about time in orthodontic treatment. We want you to get a great smile and a healthy result. We want the treatment to get you there to be as short and as comfortable as possible. We want to save you time in treatment.
Timing of your treatment plays a big part in all of this:
1. A Great Smile
2. Shortest Treatment Time
3. Most Comfortable Treatment
I do not want to start any treatment too soon. This can lead to longer treatment, which is less comfortable. Longer treatment times can actually lead to a less satisfying result because of "burnout". We need your help in your orthodontic treatment - not a lot, but what we need can be very important to get the best results for your smile.
If your treatment is taking longer, you may not have the energy and enthusiasm to give us that help we need. We want to keep you excited and involved in your treatment. Shorter times in treatment help that a lot.
I really like to time your treatment to make things go as smoothly as possible. Starting early makes sense in a few cases, but the main reason to start early is to finish early. Early treatment, without a good reason, can lead to more treatment and less comfortable treatment, without a better result. I do not want that for anyone.
Fortunately the timing of treatment is not mysterious. Depending upon the problems we are seeing, there is usually a best time or "sweet spot" in timing the orthodontic treatment. This is certainly not the only time for braces, but it is good to know when the best time for orthodontic treatment happens.
We will be talking about this a lot more in the future, because we all know how important time and timing are, in our lives and in orthodontic treatment.
Timing of your treatment plays a big part in all of this:
1. A Great Smile
2. Shortest Treatment Time
3. Most Comfortable Treatment
I do not want to start any treatment too soon. This can lead to longer treatment, which is less comfortable. Longer treatment times can actually lead to a less satisfying result because of "burnout". We need your help in your orthodontic treatment - not a lot, but what we need can be very important to get the best results for your smile.
If your treatment is taking longer, you may not have the energy and enthusiasm to give us that help we need. We want to keep you excited and involved in your treatment. Shorter times in treatment help that a lot.
I really like to time your treatment to make things go as smoothly as possible. Starting early makes sense in a few cases, but the main reason to start early is to finish early. Early treatment, without a good reason, can lead to more treatment and less comfortable treatment, without a better result. I do not want that for anyone.
Fortunately the timing of treatment is not mysterious. Depending upon the problems we are seeing, there is usually a best time or "sweet spot" in timing the orthodontic treatment. This is certainly not the only time for braces, but it is good to know when the best time for orthodontic treatment happens.
We will be talking about this a lot more in the future, because we all know how important time and timing are, in our lives and in orthodontic treatment.
Monday, November 2, 2009
My Two Bosses
Everyone has a boss. You hope to have a good boss. Someone who helps you in your work. Someone who directs your work. Someone who helps you to figure out your goals and the values in your work. Someone who inspires you to do your best work
I have two great bosses - you and your smile. Your teeth and jaws make up your smile. That is who I work for. You and your teeth and jaws (your smile) tell me the best way to do my job to get the best result for the two of you.
As I have talked about before, not only do I want the best and healthiest result for you and your smile. I want us to get there as quickly and as comfortably as possible.
My job is to listen to my two bosses - you and your smile. Then I can formulate a treatment plan that makes the most sense, to achieve the best result, in the best way possible. I have to look carefully at what is going on with my two bosses. I use my knowledge and experience to figure out what they are telling me to arrive at the best solution that fits them. I also have to adapt with changes throughout treatment.
Thank you for being a great boss. An orthodontist and his team couldn't ask for any better.
I have two great bosses - you and your smile. Your teeth and jaws make up your smile. That is who I work for. You and your teeth and jaws (your smile) tell me the best way to do my job to get the best result for the two of you.
As I have talked about before, not only do I want the best and healthiest result for you and your smile. I want us to get there as quickly and as comfortably as possible.
My job is to listen to my two bosses - you and your smile. Then I can formulate a treatment plan that makes the most sense, to achieve the best result, in the best way possible. I have to look carefully at what is going on with my two bosses. I use my knowledge and experience to figure out what they are telling me to arrive at the best solution that fits them. I also have to adapt with changes throughout treatment.
Thank you for being a great boss. An orthodontist and his team couldn't ask for any better.