how to know if you need braces

The Orthodontic Dilemma: How To Know If You Need Braces

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Occasional jaw soreness or difficulty chewing can be easy to ignore. Crooked teeth or a shifting bite can be brushed aside as a cosmetic issue. 

However, these signs may be an indication that there are underlying alignment problems. These problems can affect everything from your long-term dental health to your overall well-being. 

Braces are designed to correct many alignment issues. So, how do you know if you will need braces? 

This article will explore common indicators that you may need orthodontic care, as well as the possible results of failing to correct dental issues. 

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what happens at your first orthodontist appointment

What To Expect at Your First Orthodontist Appointment and How To Prepare

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As you look through pictures from the party last week, you notice your crooked teeth and sigh — they’ve been smiling back at you for far too long.

Your dentist recently suggested you make an appointment with an orthodontist to discuss what can be done about your teeth for the umpteenth time. Maybe it’s time for you to finally make that phone call and schedule a consultation.

You’re nervous, though — what will happen at the first appointment? Let’s break down what you can expect at your initial orthodontist consultation and ways you can prepare yourself beforehand.

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what age can kids get braces

Early Orthodontics: When Is the Best Time for My Child To Get Braces?

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One moment, your child’s grin is full of baby teeth — and the next, a puzzle of gaps and twists.

You’re probably wondering, “At what age can a kid get braces?” It’s a great question, because waiting too long can sometimes cause more trouble (and costs) later on.

Every child’s smile develops differently, and the right timing can make a big difference in long-term dental health.

Breathe easy as we walk through when kids typically get braces, what qualifies as early orthodontic care, and when it’s time for that first orthodontic visit.

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How Long Do Invisalign Retainers Last? Let’s Clear Things Up

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Finishing orthodontic treatment and finally seeing the smile you’ve been waiting for is exciting — and naturally, you want to keep it looking that way forever. 

The great news is that with the help of a good retainer and proper care, it is possible to maintain your results and protect your smile for the long haul.

In this article, we’ll look at Invisalign retainers, how long they last, the signs that it might be time for a replacement, and the best ways to extend their lifespan so your smile stays as strong and beautiful as the day your treatment finished.

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TYPES OF GUM DISEASE

Types of Gum Disease

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Featured on Perio.org

Types of Gum Disease

Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis and can eventually lead to tooth loss and other health problems.

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Choosing Mouthwash

Wrong Choice of Mouthwash Could Have Negative Side Effects

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Article Featured on KnowYourTeeth

Brush. Floss. Rinse mouth with mouthwash. From a young age, people are taught to follow this procedure to maximize the benefits of proper oral hygiene, but could mouth rinse actually cause more problems than good? According to the April 2007 issue of AGD Impact, the monthly newsmagazine of the AGD, the improper selection of a mouth rinse may cause side effects worse than the condition being treated.

“It all depends on each individual’s oral health concerns,” explains Barbara Rich, DDS, FAGD, AGD spokesperson. “If someone has a lot of inflammation which is causing bleeding gums, then the side effect of staining caused by some prescription mouthwashes may be worth it to improve their health. Staining can be polished off at the regularsemiannual visit to the dentist.”

Dr. Rich further explains, however, that if minty-fresh taste is the only reason for a person using mouth rinses, but they have dry mouth or get ulcers from strong alcohol content in the mouthwash, it may not be worth using it.

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Mouth Sores - Stomatitis

Mouth Sores – Stomatitis

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Stomatitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Stomatitis, a general term for an inflamed and sore mouth, can disrupt a person’s ability to eat, talk, and sleep. Stomatitis can occur anywhere in the mouth, including the inside of the cheeks, gums, tongue, lips, and palate.

Types of Stomatitis

Types of stomatitis include:

  • Canker sore: A canker sore, also known as an aphthous ulcer, is a single pale or yellow ulcer with a red outer ring or a cluster of such ulcers in the mouth, usually on the cheeks, tongue, or inside the lip.
  • Cold sores: Also called fever blisters, cold sores are fluid-filled sores that occur on or around the lips. They rarely form on the gums or the roof of the mouth. Cold sores later crust over with a scab and are usually associated with tingling, tenderness, or burning before the actual sores appear.
  • Mouth irritation. The irritation can be caused by:
    • Biting your cheek, tongue, or lip
    • Wearing braces or another type of dental apparatus, or having a sharp, broken tooth
    • Chewing tobacco
    • Burning one’s mouth from hot food or drinks
    • Having gum disease (gingivitis) or other type of mouth infection
    • Having hypersensitivity to certain things, such as foods or medicines
    • Having certain autoimmune diseases affecting the mucosal lining of the mouth, such as lupus, Crohn’s disease, or Behcet’s disease
    • Taking certain drugs such as chemotherapy, antibiotics,medications used for rheumatoid arthritis, or epilepsymedications
    • Receiving radiation as part of cancer treatment

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Toothbrush Tips

Toothbrush Tips to Keep Your Teeth in Shape

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Brushing your teeth seems easy enough. But some toothbrushes are better than others and there is a right and wrong way to brush your teeth.

Brushing your teeth regularly is key to maintaining healthy teeth and gums and preventing periodontal (gum) diseases, but it’s also important to make sure you choose the right toothbrush for your teeth and use proper brushing techniques. Done correctly, brushing your teeth at least twice a day — in the morning and in the evening before going to bed, for at least three minutes — can help ensure long-term dental health.

“It takes time to brush effectively,” says Richard H. Price, DMD, spokesperson for the American Dental Association (ADA) and a former clinical instructor at Boston University Dental School. “Most people just rush through it.” Dr. Price suggests setting a timer for three minutes and brushing and flossing until the time runs out.

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Gum Disease

Understanding Periodontitis: A Progressive Form of Gum Disease

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Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, exists in two forms: gingivitis and periodontitis. Both types of gum disease arise from a bacterial infection that is usually brought on by poor dental care. Gingivitis is a milder form of gum disease that causes irritated, bleeding gums. If left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis.

Like gingivitis, periodontitis causes gums to bleed and become inflamed. Other signs and symptoms of periodontitis can include:

  • Mouth sores
  • Gum pain
  • A sour taste in the mouth

Many people with periodontitis experience few symptoms. But even in the absence of obvious symptoms, untreated periodontitis can cause teeth to loosen and fall out or need to be extracted.

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Avoiding Tooth Decay and Cavities

Avoiding Tooth Decay and Cavities

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Don’t wait for a toothache to start taking care of your teeth. By practicing good oral hygiene and getting regular dental checkups, you can protect yourself from tooth decay.

Tooth decay – also called cavities or dental caries – can happen to anyone but it is a particularly common problem for children and young adults. Left untreated, dental cavities can become infected and eventually, tooth decay can result in tooth loss.

Understanding Tooth Decay

Tooth decay begins with the normal bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria feed on food particles in your mouth and produce acid as a byproduct. The combination of bacteria, food debris, acid, and saliva in your mouth forms a filmy substance on your teeth, called plaque, roughly 20 minutes after you eat. If the plaque isn’t removed promptly, tooth decay will begin. Eventually, plaque hardens into a mineral-like substance called tartar which is much harder to remove. Both tartar and plaque can eventually lead to the gum diseases gingivitis and periodontitis.

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