The Ever-Evolving Field of Orthodontics

When you think about orthodontics, what is the first thing you think of?  Braces, right?  In fact, for many people, braces are the only thing they associate with orthodontics.

But the truth is that orthodontics encompasses many aspects of oral health treatment and maintenance, and braces are just one part.  And as each year goes by, we add more and more treatments to the field while also reworking older forms of treatment to make them better for our patients.

Because of this, orthodontics is always evolving.  The easiest way to see this is to look at what we are best known for: braces.

Once upon a time, the only braces available to patients were clunky metal braces that fit oddly and irritated the mouth.  Now, we offer many different types of braces and braces alternatives.  Traditional metal braces have been streamlined and are now made of better materials.  For those wanting a different look, we offer gold braces and WildSmiles brackets.  To help patients who dislike the look of braces, we have ceramic braces, lingual braces, and Invisalign.

There are so many options out there, and there will be many more in the years to come.  If you have opted out of treatment in the past, we urge you to reconsider.  We are confident that we have a form of treatment that will work well for you.

To learn more about Orthodontics in Tehachapi, visit our website.

Can Braces Be Fashionable?

Teens have always cared about how they look, and about fitting in with their peers.  However, we have seen an increase in concerns amongst our teen patients in recent years, mostly due to the popularity of social media and YouTube fashion and makeup vloggers.  Because of this, teens are more hesitant than ever to correct their smiles.

However, it is vital that when orthodontic care is recommended, you get the treatment you need.  We firmly believe that braces can be fashionable when you take the right approach.  Below are some of our recommendations.

Show Your Personality 

For many teens, worse than having something ugly is having something boring.  In fact, a lot of current fashion is about embracing the ugly and the awkward.  Because of this, one way to make braces fashionable is to customize them in fun and funky ways.  This can be done by using WildSmiles and other unusual brackets and by using colored elastics.  With the brackets, you will need to stick to the design you choose throughout treatment, but elastics can be changed at every visit if you want.

Use Lingual Braces 

These braces are more expensive and more complicated than traditional braces.  However, they are placed on the tongue side of the teeth, rendering them invisible.  Because of this, many teens are interested in using them.  We do recommend they only be used by responsible teens since they can be harder to brush around and floss around.

Try Invisalign 

Invisalign is a braces alternative that uses clear aligners instead of metal wires and brackets.  Because of this, many teens want Invisalign in Agoura Hills and Valencia.  Because Invisalign is removable, we only choose it with teens who can be responsible for their treatment and ensure they wear their aligners 22 hours a day or more.  For those who can keep up with their treatment, we offer Invisalign Teen.

There are also other forms of treatment that may work well for teens concerned about how they will look while straightening their teeth.  To learn more, visit our website.

Our Lives Are Full of Smiles and Joy!

Why did we get into the field of orthodontics?  Because we wanted to change people’s lives for the better.  But why we stay is because being in this field of work means having a life that is full of smiles and joy.

Our patients come to us with a wide array of problems, from those that are merely cosmetic to those that prevent them from living a good life.  And we are given the privilege of correcting these problems.  The end results are often life-changing for our patients, and being part of this transformation truly is an honor.

Are you considering orthodontic treatment?  If so, we want you to make an appointment as soon as possible.  Once you learn about what we can do for you, you will wonder why you waited.  To help give you the little push you need, let’s take a look at some of the benefits of orthodontic treatment.

• Once you correct your smile, you will look better.
• When you look better, you feel good about yourself.
• Self-confidence can help you in all areas of your life now and in the future.
• Your teeth will be healthier and feel better.
• There is less of a chance that you will develop TMD.
• Your teeth will last longer than they would without treatment.

Of course, orthodontic treatment alone does not promise a lifetime of healthy teeth.  In addition to treatment, you need to be careful to take good care of your teeth and gums.  To do this, follow this oral health regime twice a day and see a dentist at least twice a year:

1. Brush your teeth for two minutes or more, spending the same amount of time on each part of your teeth. Angle the brush towards your gums as you brush, and use short, circular strokes.
2. Brush your tongue. If you want an extra clean tongue for super fresh breath, use a tongue scraper after brushing.
3. Floss your teeth carefully, accessing as much of the teeth as possible, even around the gums.
4. Rinse your mouth with mouthwash to kill bacteria and wash away any debris knocked loose while flossing.

During orthodontic treatment, appliances can complicate this routine, but it will be more important than ever to stick to it.

To learn more about the treatments we offer for healthy smiles, read about our Tecachapi and Valencia orthodontics treatment at drsnow.com.

Invisalign Treatment Offers Comfort and Convenience

Once upon a time, straightening your teeth meant wearing big, obvious metal braces.  In fact, that once upon a time wasn’t all that long ago.  But now there are many options when it comes to achieving a straighter, healthier smile, with one of the most innovative being Invisalign.

When Invisalign first entered the market, it revolutionized the way people think about orthodontic treatment.  Before, people thought of it as ugly, inconvenient, and even painful.  But none of those adjectives describe Invisalign, and soon it seemed like every patient wanted it, and every company wanted to recreate it.

What makes Invisalign so different?

The biggest thing is the material Invisalign is made from.  Instead of the usual metal components seen with braces, Invisalign uses clear, medical-grade plastic.  This makes the product invisible to those around you, allowing you the option of discreet treatment.  It also makes it more comfortable since there are not rough pieces to cause sores in the mouth.

The next big difference between Invisalign and other forms of braces treatment is that it is removable.  This is helpful in many ways.  First, you do not need to change your diet to avoid damaging Invisalign since you can remove it to eat.  Second, you do not need to relearn how to brush and floss.  Third, you can see the doctor less often because you make the adjustments by switching out aligners.  As you can imagine, these are big benefits.

Finally, another major difference is how Invisalign is made.  With most types of braces, you use the same pieces marketed towards every other braces patient.  But Invisalign is custom made for you using 3D imaging technology.  This means that you get a very accurate treatment plan and know that the aligners you wear are perfect for your specific needs.

Are you interested in Invisalign in Valencia or Agoura Hills?  Visit our website to learn more.

A Quick Look at Having Braces

So, you need braces.  Maybe this has already been confirmed by your orthodontist, or maybe you just believe this is going to be the case when you finally visit the orthodontics clinic.  In either case, it is a good idea to start learning more about braces and what they can do for you.

Why Braces Are Needed 

When we think about why someone might need braces, we usually think about teeth that are too far apart or too close together, but there are other maladies that can be treated with braces as well.  Underbite, overbite, and jaw disorders all can be treated with braces.  In some cases, braces are just one part of treatment, while in other cases they are all the treatment.

Always Get Braces if Recommended 

Many people are tempted to skip braces if they feel that the issues being corrected are minor.  However, we have learned from experience that this is a mistake.  As you get older, the problems tend to worsen.  Additionally, even if they do not get worse, most orthodontic concerns can also impact your ability to keep your teeth clean and healthy.  This means that a failure to get treatment can result in gum disease, cavities, and loss of teeth.

Braces Are Not Painful 

This is usually the greatest fear that our patients have, but it is one that we do not want you giving much mind to.  Braces do cause sensitivity and discomfort when they are first placed, but not genuine pain.  This discomfort is easily treated with salt water rinses and an OTC pain reliever.  It usually lasts 3-5 days when braces are first placed and returns for about a day or so each time the braces are adjusted.

Length of Treatment

The length of your treatment will depend on a variety of factors, including the type of braces you use and the severity of the problems being corrected.  In most cases, treatment will last about two years.  However, it is important that you do not fixate on a specific length of time since treatment can take longer or go faster depending on how things play out.

If you want to learn more about braces in Santa Cara and Palmdale, call us or visit our website.

Teens and Oral Health

During the teenage years, kids seem to go one way or the other when it comes to hygiene: either they become obsessive about it and what others think about theirs or they just ignore that it is part of life.  However, as we adults know, it is more important in adolescence than when children are younger.  This is especially true when it comes to oral hygiene.

Is your teen struggling with caring for their oral health?  If so, you no doubt want to find ways to encourage healthier habits.  Below are just a few ways you can do this.

Purchase Products Marketed Towards Teens: It may seem silly, much like products that are oddly marketed towards men or women when the products are clearly unisex, but the truth is that teens are highly susceptible to marketing.  They may cost a little more than the exact same product in less flashy packaging, but it is worth it if it helps them care more.

Set Alarms: Most teens live and die by their technology, so use it to your advantage.  To remind your teen to brush and floss, set an alarm for each morning and each evening.  If your teen struggles with brushing for the right length of time, look into a tooth brushing app.  While these are usually designed for younger kids, there are some fun ones that use music on the device that your teen will like.

Make it Easy: If your teen hates brushing, try an electric toothbrush.  Can’t stand flossing?  Purchase pre-threaded flossers.  The easier it is, the more likely it is that your teen will do it.  Even an electric toothpaste pump can help.

If you are living in Santa Cara or in Palmdale and your kid needs braces treatment, kindly visit our website.

Smoking’s Impact on Your Oral and Overall Health

When we think about smoking-related diseases, we think about things involving the lungs.  Lung cancer, emphysema, chronic bronchitis—all of these are diseases we know smoking can cause.  But what we don’t really talk about is that smoking can impact all parts of our body, including our teeth and gums.  If you smoke, even just socially, it is important to know the impact this habit can have on your health.

Worldwide, smoking is a leading cause of death because it contributes to the development of so many diseases.  Oral cancer is one disease that is overwhelmingly linked to smoking; 8 out of every 10 patients with oral cancer are smokers.  Periodontal disease is also closely linked to smoking.  With this disease, bacteria invades compromised gum tissue, weakening it.  This can cause other health issues in the body as well as the loss of teeth.  If it reaches the underlying bone structure, it can also make it impossible to receive dental implants.

Smoking also interferes with the immune system in general.  This means that you are more likely to get sick, and when you do, be sicker for longer. Smoking can also interact with certain medications, making them weaker, further complicating matters.

If you are a smoker, the best thing you can do for your health is work on quitting.  Also, be sure to work with your dentist to monitor your oral health and ensure that your habit has not destroyed your oral health yet.  It is important to take as good of care of your teeth and body in general as you can.  For help with orthodontic treatment in Valencia, visit our website.