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Did you know there is a direct correlation between your bite and your overall health? When your teeth and jaws are not properly-aligned, it may affect your breathing, speech, and, in extreme cases, even affect the appearance of your face. As a result of malocclusion, also commonly referred to as “bad bite,” your teeth may become crooked, worn or protruded over time. Most people experience some degree of malocclusion, but it is generally not severe enough to require corrective measures. If your malocclusion is serious enough, however, orthodontic treatment may be necessary to correct the issue.

Malocclusion may also be referred to as an underbite, crossbite or overbite. So, what, exactly, is the difference between the three?

• Crossbites, which can involve a single tooth or a group of teeth, occur when your upper and lower jaws are both misaligned, and usually causes one or more upper teeth to bite on the inside of the lower teeth. Crossbites can happen on both the front and/or the sides of the mouth, and are known to cause wear of the teeth, gum disease and bone loss.
• Overbites, also known as “overjet,” occurs when your upper teeth overlap considerably with the lower teeth. Overbites can lead to gum issues or irritation and even wear on the lower teeth, and are known to cause painful jaw and joint problems. Overbites can usually be traced to genetics, bad oral habits, or overdevelopment of the bone that supports the teeth.
• Underbites, which occur when the lower teeth protrude past the front teeth, are caused by undergrowth of the upper jaw, overgrowth of the lower jaw, or both. Underbites can also be caused by missing upper teeth, which can prevent the normal function of front teeth ( molars). This in turn leads to tooth wear and pain in your joints and jaw.

Fortunately, we are able to treat bite problems. If you suspect you or your child has a bite misalignment, we encourage you to be examined at our office as early as possible. By starting early, you can make sure you or your child avoid years of pain and self-consciousness.

Harmony system is an advanced digitally customized, invisible solution. The Harmony System attaches to the interior or lingual side of your teeth, so no one will notice you are wearing braces.

Dr. Kennell designs your personal treatment through Harmony’s advanced technology in computer assisted treatment. The 3D image shows how each tooth will be moved for your desired smile. CAD/CAM technologies produce a customized system that adapts seamlessly to the shape and contour of your teeth. The computer robotically forms arch wires for each phase of your treatment which creates a high level of orthodontic precision and accuracy in tooth correction.

• Fast and Comfortable Treatment.

• See your new smile before you even start treatment.

• Fewer appointments and less treatment time.

For more information, visit www.myharmonysmile.com.

Valentine's Day is approaching quickly, are you ready? Here are some fun facts and a couple of braces-friendly recipes for your special Valentine.




Did you know....?

• More than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold for Valentine's Day each year.
• On average, men shell out $130 each on candy, cards, jewelry, flowers and dates. That’s more than double what women commit to spending.
• About 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged in US each year. That's the largest seasonal card-sending occasion of the year, next to Christmas.
• Worldwide, over 50 million roses are given for Valentine's Day each year.

Valentine's is a holiday to celebrate those you care about and special treats.

Here are some braces-friendly recipes for the special person in your life.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Shake
Ingredients:
2/3 cup milk
2/3 cup strawberry ice cream
2/3 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and stems removed
2 Tablespoons hot fudge ice cream topping, warmed
Whipped cream and a cherry for garnish

Directions:
In a blender, mix up the ice cream and strawberries until smooth
Pour the hot fudge topping into a glass
Fill glass with shake mixture
Top with whipped cream and a cherry

Heart Shaped Egg in a Basket
Ingredients:
1 piece of bread
1 egg, separated
1 Tablespoon margarine or butter

Directions:
Butter one side of the bread. Separate the egg white from the yolk. Place the bread buttered side down in a frying pan on medium heat. Cook until golden brown, then remove.
Using a knife or even a cookie-cutter, cut out a heart shape in the bread. Lower the heat a bit and then return the bread to the pan.
Add just enough of the egg white to fill the empty heart-shaped center. Next, carefully place the egg yolk in the center and allow to cook.
When the egg is fully cooked, remove from pan and enjoy!

Visibly crooked teeth are not the only reason to take your child into the orthodontist. There are some subtle things to look for as well, which may indicate the onset of more serious orthodontic issues. Many orthodontic issues are much easier to address if treated and corrected during a child's development.

Waiting until facial development is complete or until the permanent teeth have come in can make correction of many orthodontic issues more challenging. Both children and adults can benefit from orthodontic care at any age, but addressing issues early is almost always the ideal choice.

If you're wondering if you or your child might have need for orthodontic care, there are some things you can be on the lookout for. Here are some of the most common warning signs of orthodontic issues:

• Difficulty when chewing or biting
• Chronic mouth-breathing
• Sucking the thumb, the fingers, or any other oral sucking habits that continue after the age of six
• Overbite - when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth by more than 5mm
• Top front teeth that cover more than 25% of the bottom teeth while biting
• Underbite - when the top front teeth go behind the bottom row of teeth when biting
• Crowded, crooked, overlapped, misshapen, misplaced teeth or extra teeth of any size
• Crossbite - when one or more teeth tilt toward the cheek or toward the tongue causing excessive stress on the jawbone
• The center of the top and bottom teeth don't line up
• Uneven teeth-wearing
• Baby teeth coming out too early for the child's age
• Pain in jaws
• Clicking in the jaw joints
• The jaw shifts off-center while chewing or biting
• A jaw that protrudes, or recedes, too much
• Difficulty speaking or enunciating clearly
• Chronic biting of the inner cheek or roof of the mouth
• Asymmetrical facial structure
• Grinding or clenching of the teeth

If you notice that either you or your child has one or more of these conditions, they could be signs that there is a risk of orthodontic or health problems. The sooner these problems are addressed, the wider and brighter you will be able to smile going forward!