Learn About Missouri Orthodontist Braces Near You

Visiting Your Orthodontist Is The First Step In Getting Orthodontic Braces

Your orthodontist knows you probably have plenty of questions about getting braces. Here are a few that prospective patients often ask.

What Usually Happens During an Initial Orthodontic Exam?

In order to determine your specific needs, the orthodontist will completely evaluate your mouth. This will likely include:

• Impressions of your teeth, from which models are made (these are useful for the orthodontist, and will remind you exactly how your teeth looked before correction).
• Photographs of your teeth, face, and smile
• X-rays of your head and teeth
• Your medical health history and dental health history

Your orthodontist will then carefully evaluate your specific needs and provide you with a treatment plan for correction. Following the recommended plan is important for proper correction.

What Are Spacers?

Teeth normally fit tightly against one another. Your orthodontist will insert before placement of your braces to provide some space between teeth for attaching the bands. There are two types of spacers, small springs or plastic modules. In just a few days they gently move desired teeth slightly apart.

Spacers often cause some soreness, but this goes away in a few days. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to relieve the irritation. Your normal chewing also helps to get your mouth feeling better.

What Do I Do If a Spacer Comes Out?

Call your orthodontist immediately for a replacement. That little spacer is making just enough room for a comfortable fit for your braces and plays an important role.

What Can I Eat When I have Orthodontic Braces?

You can eat just about anything, but there are some exceptions. Getting used to braces also usually means making a few adjustments in your eating habits. This is because some food might damage your orthodontic braces or cause problems for your teeth. Here's a list of items your orthodontist will suggest you avoid (or some ways they can still be enjoyed with caution):

• Apples (don't bite into a whole one! Cut it into wedges first.)
• Bubble gum (some orthodontists allow sugarless gum, but check with yours for approval)
• Candy (caramels, taffy, nut brittles, fruit-flavored chewy candies, gummi anything!)
• Carrots (avoid sticks, cut into thin curls)
• Corn on the cob (remove the kernels from the cob, then enjoy!)
• Corn chips/crisp tacos
• Hard foods (they're tough on orthodontic braces, causing bending and breaking)
• Ice (no crunching!)
• Lemon juice/lemons (pure lemon juice is very hard on your tooth enamel)
• Nuts
• Pizza crust/crusty breads (outer edges)
• Popcorn
• Pretzels (the large, hard varieties)
• Sticky foods (can bend wires and pull off brackets)
• Sugary foods (avoid these as much as possible; if you do eat them, brush your teeth within minutes or as soon as possible, or at least rinse your mouth with water)

By Brian J. Gray, DDS, MAGD, FICO

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Invisalign Orthodontics

Ever wish that you could have teeth straightening done, without months of wearing those geeky metal braces? And wouldn't it be nice to get your crooked teeth straightened without anyone outside the family even knowing about it?

Believe it or not, there's a new way to straighten teeth with invisible braces. And your orthodontist can walk you through it!

The process is called Invisalign®, because it uses a series of nearly undetectable aligners instead of brackets and wires. Even up close it's really hard to see that you're wearing orthodontic appliances. So now you can have the smile you've always wanted…without the dental braces you've always avoided.

Invisalign can be just as effective as wire braces. Treatment takes about the same amount of time but is far more comfortable! And because Invisalign is removable, you'll have no problem eating, brushing or flossing.

Here's how it works: an examination is done to determine if Invisalign is right for you. If things look promising, photographs and X-rays are taken and an impression of your teeth is made. Then they are submitted to an Invisalign specialist. The specialist, after verifying that Invisalign will work for you, creates a treatment plan.

A smile of straight teeth starts with a phone call to your orthodontist's office. Why not do it today and find out how an Invisalign smile could change your life!

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.