More Adults Getting Braces

Some could say it's a new cosmetic trend, others may say that technological advances in orthodontics have paved the way, regardless of the reasoning, their has been a dramatic increase in adults getting braces. As the nation becomes more aware of the effects of oral health on one's overall health, the urgency to have that perfect and healthy smile grows. For many, this means that getting braces is no longer "out of their age range."

It used to be that tweens and teens were the only prime candidates for braces. It is still true that the younger you are when getting braces, the easier the treatment is. This is because your body is still growing and your smile is still settling into place. This is also why many insurance companies have an age restriction when it comes to paying for braces. Yet, with the emergence of technologies like the Damon System and Invisalign, the insurance companies are wising up and cutting that age restriction to ensure that adults can take advantage in these evolved treatment options.

So, when considering getting braces, don't hesitate just because of your age. I encourage you to ask me what treatment might be right for you.

Gum and Oral Health

As oral health becomes more and more important (it's even becoming something of a fad), it's interesting to watch how gum companies have changed their ad campaigns. There's EXTRA which mainly focuses on it's low calorie weight loss appeal (it was constantly displayed on the Biggest Loser this year), Stride is all about long lasting taste, but what about Orbitz and Trident? These gums are all about dental health. In fact, the other day I saw a commercial about how Trident helps to restore tooth enamel. Now it's definitely important to know that not all gum is good for your teeth. In fact, there's quite a lot of gum that's just horrible for your teeth - like Bubblegum. So the next time you are at the checkout stand and want to get a bargain buy of gum, consider getting a pack of Trident... like Trident whitening for example.

Considering Damon Brackets?

Have you been considering getting Damon Brackets but aren't quite sure if they are right for you? There is a great deal of differences between Invisalign, the Damon System, and traditional metal braces. I have spoken a lot in this blog about those differences, but I thought it would be a good idea for you to see what some others have to say about it. Check out this video about a family's experience with Damon:

Keeping Your Teeth Clean While Wearing Braces

If you are considering traditional metal braces over Invisalign, keep in mind the upkeep required to clean your teeth. I always warn patients that they should always brush. If you don't brush, you may end up with stains on your teeth once the braces are removed. I suggest brushing 2-3 times per day.

Beyond brushing, it's also important to floss. This may be considered hard when you have braces, so it's a great thing that Paradise Dental Technologies came out with the Platypus Ortho Flosser.

Early reviews are stating that this patent pending product is well liked by patients with braces. If this is something you're interested in obtaining, you can contact your orthodontist for more information.

Keeping Your Invisalign Aligners Up to Shape

Many people know that Invisalign is a great solution to braces if you don't want to experience the look and feel of traditional metal braces. What few people know, though, is that just like traditional braces, Invisalign requires proper care to work effectively. Good oral hygiene is highly important, even when you are wearing something in your mouth that you can take out to eat with. It's still likely that your aligners can build up plaque if not treated properly. When wearing your Invialign aligners, ask yourself the following questions:

1.) Am I eating with my aligners on? - These aligners are removable and should be taken out when you eat.
2.) Am I drinking anything other than water with my aligners on? - Though it's not a necessity for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky a soda is. If you take out your aligners when drinking a soda, you have a better chance of keeping your aligners clean.
3.) Am I brushing before putting the trays on? - The aligners have both an inside and outside. Keeping the outside clean is easy. Keeping the inside clean is also easy: just make sure you've brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

These are all very simple steps, and ultimately, they help to keep you building good oral habits.

Braces aren't just for teenagers

The other day, while channel surfing, this image of a smiling 80 year old woman caught my eye. The title of the story being aired: 80-year-old Women Finally Has Straight Teeth. As an orthodontist in Charlotte North Carolina, I have come across patients of all ages, but this story touched a special note in my heart. It's never too late to get that perfect smile!

"Oh wow," she exclaimed while looking in the mirror. "Now my son won't have to say, 'You don't ever smile, mom,' because I'll always be smiling!"

Braces Today vs. Yesterday

I came across a great article the other day: It’s not wins, but braces helping athletes smile. This was pretty interesting, well written, and filled with some inspiring true life experiences. The author recounts his childhood with braces, explaining the pain and longevity he endured just to get that perfect straight smile. Now, years later, he coaches a basketball team where every member has braces. The comparison of his experience to theirs is something worth noting:

What past and present braces-wearing youngsters are told is they can continue to eat anything they like minus popcorn, hard candy; anything gooey and definitely off-limits is the chewing of ice. OK, that essentially wipes out movie-going during the years one wears braces. As for pizzas, orthodontists certainly can’t expect preteens to stay away from a hot cheese pizza, smothered in whatever. If mine did, I disobeyed his order.

While he viewed his time as nothing short of horrible, his students love their braces and can't help but show them off! This is testament to all of the recent innovations in orthodontics and another reason to smile!!