At Affiliated Orthodontics, we don’t have to tell you that keeping your teeth clean during treatment is very important. Braces have a habit of collecting additional food while eating that can cause a multitude of problems if not cared for correctly.
So you don't offend others with unsightly food caught on your braces, or to avoid bad breath, swollen gums, decalcification or discoloring of teeth and cavities, here are are five tooth brushing tips from Drs. Womack and Davis and our team for orthodontic patients to keep in mind while wearing braces:Read more on Five Tips for Cleaning Braces in Peoria, Glendale and Surprise AZ…
There are many reasons why people want straight teeth. Not the least of these is the fact that crooked teeth are not the most attractive feature. While a nicely aligned smile can be the part of your looks that pulls everything else together, a crooked smile can draw attention away from an otherwise striking appearance. A great smile is vital to your self-confidence, which in turn can improve your outlook on life in general.
However, the benefits of straight teeth do not end with just your appearance.
- Crooked teeth can interfere with proper chewing, a problem which is with you at every meal if not confronted.
- Good oral hygiene (such as regular brushing and flossing) can be much more difficult and ineffective with crooked teeth. When your teeth are not straight and evenly spaced, there is a much higher likelihood that there will be hard-to-reach spaces that do not receive the proper treatment from your daily cleaning routine. As a result, unwanted plaque and tartar can build up unnoticed. Over time, this can lead to such serious consequences as tooth decay, gum disease, or even tooth loss. Since no one enjoys spending time in the dentist’s chair having root canals, fillings, and oral surgery, it is important to stay on top of your oral hygiene.
At Affiliated Orthodontics, we think about how many processes of the human body take place unconsciously. As we make our way through the day, humans are constantly breathing, blinking, keeping our balance, and doing a thousand other tiny things we never give a second thought.
One such unconscious behavior is the way we chew and swallow our food. Virtually from birth, consuming food is such a primal act that it would never occur to most people to pay attention to the way we go about it. Infants swallow with their tongues thrusted against their gums, which is fine for babies and very young children. However, as people get a bit older, they usually change over to a swallow with the tongue placed on the roof of the mouth.
Read more on Tongue Thrusts Raise Havoc While Kids Are Growing…
