Category: Healthy Living

As a child, you may have seen your peers with smiles that glinted in the sun, some sporting colorful bands across their wires, others plain metal brackets. You may have worn them yourself. Braces are often associated with an awkward, youthful stage of life as corrective measures for such things as overbite and crooked teeth are generally taken in earlier years of development upon discovery of their necessity. However, many individuals reach adulthood before seeing an orthodontist Queen Creek about dental treatments for improving their grins. In fact, there is a growing trend of adults with braces, eliminating any stigma about it. Clear aligners like Invisalign have also become popular as an alternative to traditional braces. If you are considering getting them, there are some facts you should keep in mind. 

1. They Are Clear Plastic

A large advantage of clear aligners is that they are, as their name states, made of a clear thermoplastic material that is considerably less visible than regular metal braces, though not completely undetectable to the naked eye. They are replicas made specifically for each person’s teeth. There are no brackets or wires to deal with. This means those uncomfortable with the appearance of braces have a choice that may put them more at ease. 

2. They Cost More Than Braces

While aligner cost varies from person to person since it depends on the complexity and time involved, they do generally cost a little bit more. This is because the required laboratory work comes at a higher price. However, many insurance plans do cover them. 

3. They Offer Much Control 

Orthodontists can control your treatment on a tooth by tooth basis by altering the amount of force applied and when it is exerted. There are different mapped out stages, and in each one only the targeted teeth are shifted. You yourself are afforded the ability to remove the aligners when flossing and eating, unlike braces which cannot be similarly taken out. It is important to remember that for maximum beneficial effect, they need to be worn the majority of the time.  

4. They Are More Comfortable

There is some discomfort with this treatment. However, due to their smoothness, there is no gouging and wearing away of the inner cheeks and gums like that which often afflicts wearers of regular braces. They also use a gentler, subtler pressure to get the job done. 

Clear aligners are a viable option for teeth straightening. Like ceramic braces, they have their upsides and their downsides. An expert dental professional can help you figure out the best plan for your specific mouth. 

Dental care supersedes the usual brushing with toothbrush and toothpaste. You want to follow up closely by being critical about what you throw in your mouth. Another thing is you should take proper hygiene, while also exercising the mouth to improve blood supply.

If you wish to learn about all the secrets to shining white teeth and fresh breath as endorsed by the dental society, you want to read the sections below carefully.

Why Dental Care?

It was a blessing for humans to be equipped with dentition to help with speech and chewing food. But we weren’t so lucky to be blessed with teeth that are stain-proof, and this is why we must put in an effort to keep them looking neat and healthy.

Aside from appearance, there are other things that you want to take into consideration when looking to keep your mouth healthy. The food you eat, for example, could have a devastating effect on the gum and enamel, and as such, dentists prescribe that you should avoid putting sharp objects in your mouth.

High caffeine beverage such as coffee and green tea has also been known to stain the teeth. Another culprit when it comes to tooth discoloration is chocolate. Taking a close look at your diet would help you on your journey to whiter and fresher breath.

Preventing Dental Stains

Discolored teeth can quickly put you in an uncomfortable position. You lose the confidence to smile, affecting your relationship at work and with your loved ones. This is why if you are faced with such predicaments, you want to make haste to remedy the situation. When it comes to preventing stains on the teeth, some of the best solutions you can employ include.

Brushing Regularly

A toothbrush and toothpaste remain your trusted ally when it comes to keeping your mouth clean. So you want to start and end your day by brushing your teeth. While it may seem like something easy, you want to ensure that you use the right paste and brush the right way.

A fluoride-containing paste could help with putting back the shine in your mouth. So you want to avoid any other strong chemicals in your oral care. Try to take a close look at your toothpaste; is your mouthwash burning? And does it do a great job at cleaning? These are what you should look at when looking to pick a mouthwash. 

But others could provide additional benefits. Charcoal toothpaste, for example, has become a popular option for adults looking for an organic alternative to their dental care. It’s all a matter of choosing the right one that will work for your teeth.

Flossing

It’s not strange to find many companies spending heavily to market dental floss to the public. And they aren’t foolish to do so. With proper and regular dental flossing, you could slow down the buildup of bacteria in the mouth. This is by the removal of the food particles that get stuck in between the teeth. The process is straightforward, and you can start by getting the right dental floss at your local store or online.

Proper Dieting

You’ve probably heard about the need to be conscious about what you eat. With the proper diet, you can be able to avoid falling ill. This is due to the immune-boosting properties of minerals and nutrients we get from our food. 

Dental experts advise that fruits and green veggies should be part of your diet if you improve your oral health. And the good news is it also helps the body in many other ways. It may be a good idea to research foods that are good for the teeth. The link here has more on the subject.

Holistic Care

Part of what I call holistic care as it relates to dental health is doing all it takes to keep the mouth healthy. And this is mainly centered around our daily habits. Smokers, for example, are known to have brown-colored dentition from years of smoking—the same with heavy coffee drinkers and kids who are spoiled silly with chocolates. And remedying the situation can be as easy as cutting back on the said habits that stain the teeth.

You should also know that sugary food and drinks are also common causes of dental infection. And as a result, you want to cut back on the sweet tooth else, you get to lose a few. Kids, most notably, are to be guided on the importance of proper dental hygiene and the need to watch what they eat.

While it is true that there are surgical and non-surgical procedures to reverse dental problems, it could cost you to get an appointment with your dentist. So you would be saving yourself a lot of expenses by taking your mouth wash routine seriously.

Solving Dental Problems

Your first point of contact in the case of a dental emergency is a dentist. They are better equipped to provide diagnosis and treatment as it relates to oral health. So you want to check for a dentist near you or check with your doctor for a referral. You can also find answers from close friends and family who may have contacts with medical experts in the area.

A series of tests and check-up would be conducted first to make a proper diagnosis of the situation. While this would be unnecessary if you are looking for a fitting such as braces, you will still need to ensure you get the right professional assistance. This link https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dental-implant-surgery/about/pac-20384622 has more on dental implant surgery if you want to learn more. 

You could save yourself expenses on dental surgeries if you have medical insurance that covers such procedures. Although the cost of the operation would depend on the procedure used and the professional you work with. All the same, it is essential to tackle all health challenges as they emerge. And in the case of your dentition, prevention is better than cure.

Final Note

The safest way to avoid complications with your teeth is to follow proper oral hygiene. Brush and floss regularly and be conscious of what you eat. It is also essential that you check with your dentist occasionally to ensure that there is nothing you should be worried about.