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Posts Tagged ‘oral hygiene’

Why do I need braces?

Thursday, May 9th, 2013

There are many reasons for braces. Most importantly, they improve your smile and confidence. Braces also correct bites allowing easier chewing and better speech, they eliminate tooth interferences that can cause TMD or joint problems; they align teeth so patients can clean between teeth, and they eliminate harmful wear patterns that destroy your teeth and gums. Braces can also be used to open or close spaces for implants, crowns, or bridges. Kennell Orthodontics offers a pressure-free environment, so that you can comfortably explore your options without any commitments. Braces are a wonderful way to improve your oral presentation and health, but getting braces is a decision you have to make. We love helping people reach their goal of a fantastic new smile!

 

My dentist does braces, why do I need an orthodontist?

Because we are specifically trained to serve you! After 4 years of dental school, an orthodontist completes another 2-3 years of specialized orthodontic training at an accredited university. An orthodontist does not do fillings, crowns, or cleanings. Instead, we are specially trained to deal with problems of tooth alignment and bite functioning. We work closely with pediatric dentists, family dentists, cosmetic dentists and other dental specialists on every case to create an efficient dental team. If you have questions about why you are seeing a licensed orthodontist for your treatment, please ask us or you can visit the American Association of Orthodontists website at http://www.braces.org.

Braces generally have two components: brackets and wires. Today’s brackets can be made of metal or of tooth-colored ceramic. They are usually attached to the front of your teeth, but some can be “hidden” behind your teeth. Wires, which do the work of moving your teeth, are threaded through slots in the brackets. You will need to see Kennell Orthodontics periodically to adjust your wires.

 

What age of people get braces?

Braces and other treatment options are available for ALL ages, from elementary school through retirement, people are enjoying the benefits of a beautiful, more comfortable smile. Kennell Orthodontics can work with you to give you a smile that fits your style, so why limit yourself to one treatment option, Kennell Orthodontics also offers treatments using new technology like braces with brackets that go behind your teeth and clear aligners, like Invisalign.

 

Food for thought.

Check out this website for recipes tailored for individuals with braces. Lots of ideas for healthy meals and snacks. What is your favorite food to eat while wearing braces? Let us know! Just because you have braces, doesn’t mean you have to miss out on your favorite summer fruits and vegetables. Make sure to slice your apples very thin and simply cut the corn off the cob!

 

Bright, Beautiful, Healthy Smiles!

Check out our link to Brace Painter, you’ll have fun and can be creative to make your smile unique, bright and fun! Ask Dr. Kennell and his staff what fun colors are available to design your braces!  http://www.kennellortho.com/brace-painter.php

Your friend, fluoride

Friday, April 15th, 2011

There are so many ways you protect your teeth throughout your orthodontic treatment. You brush your teeth twice a day, floss regularly and protect your mouth and appliances from being damaged. But did you know there is another, often forgotten about, way to keep your teeth clean and healthy during your treatment? Fluoride – a mineral that helps prevent cavities and tooth decay – can help keep your teeth strong! Fluoride comes in two varieties: topical and systemic. Topical fluoride is applied directly to the tooth. Topical fluoride includes toothpastes and mouth rinses. Systemic fluorides are swallowed in the form of a dietary supplement.

Fluoride used in the orthodontists’ office is often times a stronger concentration than in toothpaste or mouthwash, but is available at some drug stores or a pharmacy (ask your doctor how to purchase professional strength fluoride). A fluoride treatment typically takes just a few minutes. After the treatment patients may be asked not to rinse, eat or drink for at least 30 minutes in order to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride. Depending on your oral health or doctor’s recommendation, you may be required to have a fluoride treatment every three, six or 12 months. Your doctor may also prescribe a fluoride product such as mouthwashes, gels or antibacterial rinses for at-home treatment.

When choosing your own fluoride product, be sure to check for the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of acceptance. Products marked with the ADA seal of approval have been carefully examined and have met the criteria of the ADA for safety and effectiveness. Take care of your teeth, and smile bright!

Top ten tips for keeping your BRACES sparklin’ clean

Friday, March 11th, 2011

Keeping your teeth clean is more important than ever when you have braces. Food bits have more spots than usual to hide in your mouth, so you must be diligent in order to avoid bad breath, swollen gums, discolored teeth and cavities. If you remove plaque regularly during treatment, you’ll experience better results and shorter treatment time. Keep plaque at bay with these top ten tips:

1. One tooth at a time. When you brush, take time with each individual tooth – at least 10 seconds each – and pay careful attention to the spots where your teeth touch your braces.

2. It’s all about the angles. Brush the tops of your teeth and braces with your brush angled down toward where they meet. Brush the bottoms of your teeth and braces with your brush angled up.

3. The tooth, the whole tooth, nothing but the tooth. While the front surface of your teeth may seem like the most logical to clean, it’s equally important to clean the inner surface of your teeth (tongue side) as well as the chewing surface. And be sure to clean along your gum line – a key spot for plaque buildup.

4. Step 1: eat, step 2: clean. While you’re in treatment, it’s important to brush after every meal. Bits of food can easily get caught between braces and teeth, and these food bits interact with bacteria in your mouth to cause decay. The longer food is in contact with your teeth, the greater opportunity for plaque to form. If you are eating somewhere that you can’t brush, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water.

5. Like a Boy Scout, always be prepared. The easiest way to be sure you can brush after every meal is to get in the habit of taking a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss with you wherever you go. Designate a special container just for your teeth-cleaning tools and keep it in your purse, backpack, or laptop case.

6. Remove the moving parts. If you have elastic bands or headgear, remove these parts before you brush or floss.

7. Fluoride is your friend. Fluoride helps prevent cavities. Be sure to brush with fluoride toothpaste, and rinse with fluoride mouthwash.

8. Pointy brushes reach tiny places. Interproximal brushes (sometimes called proxa brushes or interdental brushes) are cone-shaped and come in very handy for reaching spots around your braces that standard brushes can’t.

9. Find the floss for you. Regular floss works for some patients, but others find it easier to work with a floss threader, which helps you get the floss into tight places. Other patients like an all-in-one product called Superfloss, which comes with a stiff end for easy threading, a spongy section for cleaning wide spaces, and regular floss for narrow spaces.

10. Make time for the pros. It’s your job to take care of the everyday cleaning. But make sure to visit your dentist regularly while in treatment, to get the deep, thorough cleaning that only a professional can provide. If you need help finding the right Dentist for you, feel free to contact our office – we’d love to help!

Hope this helps!

Dr. Kennell and Team

Make 2011 the year to improve your oral health

Tuesday, December 28th, 2010

Many folks in Laconia, NH consider the beginning of a new year a time to not only reflect on the year that was, but also to set personal goals for the upcoming year. How are you planning to improve your health and happiness in 2011? Dr. Kennell and our team recommend that you make a New Year’s resolution to benefit your oral health!

It is important that New Year’s resolutions are reasonable and attainable, and that they improve your overall quality of life—for example, did you know that flossing every day is the very best way to prevent periodontal, or gum, disease? Using a straw when drinking sugary beverages can also help prevent cavities. There are many small steps that you can take to prevent cavities, oral infections and bad breath.

Be sure to give us a call if you need a few suggestions on ways to improve your oral health, or visit this helpful article from our friends at the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). After all, we know your oral health is about more than just a beautiful smile.

Happy New Year!

-Your friends at Kennell Orthodontics