THE INITIAL CONSULTATION is when the orthodontist assesses the position of the patient’s teeth and begins planning the treatment to move them into proper alignment. The orthodontist also addresses a lot of the typical patient questions, but we can take a peek at those now.
HAVING A PERFECTLY STRAIGHT smile isn’t just better-looking, it’s healthier! Let’s take a look at some of the other straight teeth benefits.
WE’VE ALL HEARD of the active ingredient in toothpaste: fluoride. It supplies tooth enamel with important minerals to keep it strong and it protects against tooth decay. It’s the one ingredient toothpaste must contain to earn the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance. But what else is in toothpaste?
IF BRACES-WEARERS want to keep the results of their treatment long term, they should be carefully following the orthodontist’s instructions on how to use their retainers. Part of that isn’t just about wearing the retainers but about keeping them clean.
UNLESS THE DENTIST is an active TikTok user, it’s not a good idea to get dental health advice from social media. We’ve noticed a lot of dangerous DIY ideas popping up so let’s take a minute to nip them in the bud.
OUR JAWS GET a pretty constant workout between all the talking, chewing, and yawning we do, but those simple activities become more complicated for those with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD or TMJ). There’s a small, fibrous disk that serves as a cushion between the ball and socket of the joint. If it shifts out of place or erodes, that leads to jaw trouble.
STAINS ARE ALMOST always a bad thing, outside of changing the color of wooden furniture. We especially don’t like stains when they occur on our teeth, and little can tarnish the excitement of Braces-Off Day like discolored patches around where the brackets used to be. Why do stains occur on our teeth, and how can you make sure that doesn’t happen to you during your orthodontic treatment?
YOU PROBABLY HEARD the line “it takes fewer muscles to smile than to frown” when you were growing up, but the pedantic dentist might point out that it technically isn’t true. At least ten muscles are involved in smiling, while as few as six are required for frowning. But that’s no reason to frown more; if you think about it, it just means that smiling burns more calories! Even better, there are many other benefits that come from a smiling face.
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