Hygiene Archives - Page 3 of 3 -

October 18, 2016January 22, 2024

Eating with New Braces

Once your braces have been affixed to your teeth, you will probably discover that your choice of foods is now limited. Dr. Marc S. Wright, our Atlanta and Marietta orthodontist, would like each of our patients who wears braces to have a positive experience as their teeth are being treated.

Even though modern braces are sturdy, they must still be treated with care. This means you should stick to eating foods that are gentle on your brackets and wires holding your braces in place. You probably already know to avoid eating foods that are hard, crunchy, or sticky. Soft foods are usually fine to eat for those wearing braces since they are simply so much gentler on your oral hardware.

From the moment we put your braces on, we explain to you how important it is to avoid certain types of foods that can damage or even break your braces including sticky, tough, crunchy, and hard foods. You were also told you must alter your usual eating habits somewhat since the brackets cannot withstand the stress of biting. Your brackets could come away from your teeth and break if you bite into foods while wearing them. Should this occur regularly, you may need to wear your braces longer than normal, meaning you must wait even longer to finally see your new smile.

This may leave you wondering what you can actually eat. The good news is you can enjoy a variety of foods and snacks without worrying if you are damaging your braces. Sometimes, you can still enjoy the same foods as before, but with minor alterations. For example, you could still eat pizza if you cut it up into smaller pieces and chew only with your back teeth. Other examples of foods that can be eaten this way are soft tacos, hot dogs, hamburgers, and soft fruit.

Foods to Enjoy While Wearing Braces

Soft fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, nectarines, and kiwi
Vegetables that are steamed until soft
Tender meats such as turkey, meatballs, soft-cooked chicken, and lunch meats
Dairy products such as soft cheeses and yogurt
Seafood including salmon, tuna, crab cakes, and cod
Snacks such as applesauce, pudding, smoothies, bananas, jello, and ice cream
Grains including pasta and soft-cooked rice
Eggs and soup
Soft breads such as biscuits, muffins, pancakes, and soft tortillas

These are just a few examples of the many foods you can eat while wearing braces. Just keep in mind to avoid sticky, gooey, hard, or crunchy foods that may damage your braces. Remember to not bite down hard on something that may break your braces. If you feel a temptation to eat a food such as corn-on-the-cob, you can always remove the kernels before eating.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding what foods you can eat when wearing your braces, feel free to contact our Atlanta and Marietta offices for more information.

September 30, 2016January 22, 2024

How often should you change your toothbrush?

Unlike shoes or clothes, toothbrushes don’t show obvious signs of wear, which makes it hard to know when you should replace them. Is there a standard for how often a toothbrush should be changed? The answer really depends on the individual. How often do you use your toothbrush, what is the state of your health and what do you personally prefer? Next time you brush your teeth, think about whether it is time to get a new toothbrush.

When to Get a New Toothbrush

The standard rule of thumb is to replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. If you have been sick, it is a good idea to replace your brush immediately, especially if you keep it near your family’s toothbrushes. The bristles of your toothbrush are a good indicator if it is time for a replacement. If they look crushed and flat, they won’t clean your teeth properly. The harder you brush, the more worn your toothbrush becomes. Children often press their toothbrush into their teeth harder than adults, so they often need new toothbrushes sooner than the 3 to 4-month rule indicates.

Types of Toothbrushes

When it comes to toothbrushes, there are two basic types to consider: manual or electric. Both are good, so choose the style you are most comfortable with so you will brush your teeth on a regular basis. Manual brushes are more portable and easy to use anywhere. They don’t make noise, and the user is able to control the pressure placed on his or her teeth and gums.

An electric toothbrush isn’t so simple. It must be charged and is usually a little bigger and heavier than a manual toothbrush, which could be an issue when traveling. The rotating bristles of an electric toothbrush make the job of cleaning between teeth and at the gum line much easier. Some electric toothbrushes have built-in timers to help you brush the recommended amount of time.

Maintaining Your Toothbrush

Whether you choose an electric or manual toothbrush, it is important to keep it clean. The American Dental Association recommends that after brushing, you rinse your brush under tap water. This washes away leftover toothpaste and saliva and the germs associated with both. Once rinsed, you should always store your toothbrush vertically with the bristles in a position to air and dry out.

If you store your wet toothbrush in a closed container, thinking this will keep it clean, you could actually be causing bacteria to build up on your brush. It is a much better idea to let the bristles dry completely between uses. This isn’t always possible when you are traveling, so it is a good idea to take disposable toothbrushes when you go on a trip.

Deciding when to change your toothbrush has a lot to do with personal preference, but you should try to change out your households’ toothbrushes several times a year. Stock up on extra toothbrushes so when you are ready for fresh bristles, you always have a new toothbrush available. Contact Wright Orthodontics today to schedule your free consultation!

September 15, 2016January 22, 2024

Wear Your Mouth Guard!

Protect Your Team, Protect Your Teeth

No one is invincible. Accidents can happen to anyone. Studies show that the chance of an athlete damaging their teeth increases by 60 times if they aren’t wearing a protective mouth guard. When worn properly, a mouth guard can lower the risk of harm to an athlete’s teeth, lips, tongue, and jaw. Taking the time now to prevent damage is much better than trying to repair damage at a later date.

Making the Right Decision

You can buy a stock mouth guard at a sporting goods store, or you can receive a custom fit mouth guard by Atlanta Orthodontist Dr. Marc S. Wright. Stock guards don’t offer the confidence that comes with the personalized fit that a custom-made orthodontic appliance can offer. A personalized mouth guard, made just for you, provides the absolute best fit and defense against injury and possible irreparable damage to your mouth, jaw or teeth.

Not only does an off the rack mouth guard offer less protection than a custom guard, due to the fact that it isn’t a precise fit, but it can restrict your breathing or speech or just feel painful or uncomfortable. It is impossible to make a perfect fit with a mouth guard bought at a sporting goods store. A custom made mouth guard fits you perfectly, and if any discomfort develops, it can be fixed by Dr. Marc S. Wright.

Taking Care

Your mouth guard takes care of you, so it is important to give it proper care in return. Always rinse it with cool water or even mouthwash before and after each use. Every so often, give it a much deeper cleaning with soapy water. Never place it in hot water or leave it in the sun. Heat can damage it.

Always Play It Safe!

When you make the wise choice to wear a sports mouth guard, you are protecting your mouth and jaw from the possible damage of an accident. Atlanta orthodontist Dr. Marc S. Wright can meet all your mouth guard needs. Play hard, but don’t forget to play smart. Protect your smile by wearing one of the most important pieces of equipment, a sports mouth guard. If you play a sport, and you are interested in a customized mouth guard, call Wright Orthodontics to schedule an appointment for a free consultation.

June 22, 2015January 22, 2024

Why do braces cause white marks on my teeth?

Decalcification is the loss of calcium in the enamel of teeth resulting in white, chalky marks. This happens quite frequently to patients that wear braces. However, it is not caused by the braces themselves.

Poor oral hygiene is the major cause of decalcification. When food is not removed from around the braces, it mixes with saliva and becomes acidic bacteria. If the bacteria are not removed, it will destroy the nutrients that protect the enamel leaving the teeth susceptible to decalcification and decay. Minor decalcification is reversible by a dentist; however, major decalcification requires dental bonding to correct.

The best prevention of decalcification is good oral hygiene. Brushing thoroughly at least 3 times a day is critical to remove food and bacteria before it can damage the teeth. Rinsing after drinking sugary drinks also helps remove damaging sugars from the mouth and around braces. Flossing daily removes bacteria around the gum line to prevent swelling of the gums which can trap bacteria underneath.

When brushing with braces, it is necessary to tilt the toothbrush so that you can brush between the bracket and the gum while getting underneath the wires. You also want to brush the front of the bracket and the edges or biting surfaces of the teeth. All food and white, fuzzy bacteria must be removed when brushing. If you are unsure that you have removed everything, ask your orthodontist for disclosing tablets. Disclosing tablets will show you the bacteria you left behind after brushing.

Wright Orthodontics instructs each patient how to brush and floss effectively when braces are applied. If you have any questions or concerns about caring or cleaning for your braces ask an assistant or Dr. Marc S. Wright for additional instructions so that you can have a beautiful smile when your braces are completed!

March 25, 2014January 22, 2024

Acidic Foods & Drinks that Cause Tooth Enamel Damage

Orthodontists are increasingly concerned about acidic foods and drinks that can damage tooth enamel when consumed frequently or when sipped over extended periods of time. As a part of Orthodontic Health Month we have provided you with a chart to show which foods are more acidic/alkaline. While many high acid foods are healthy for your body, low acid foods are better for your teeth. Remember- during orthodontic treatment, it’s best to choose low acid foods when you sit down to eat.