If you’re thinking about getting the Invisalign system over standard braces, you might have some questions as to what you can expect throughout the course of the treatment. Have no fear, we’re going to answer all of your queries in an effort to help you make that decision and improve your smile.

For starters, Invisalign is considered a less invasive method for straightening teeth as it doesn’t require the use of clamps and wires. Instead, you will be required to wear a pair of molded plastic trays that are fitted over your teeth and worn throughout the day with the exception of when you eat and brush your teeth. It is highly recommended that you keep them in your mouth at all other times so that your treatment is ultimately a success.

Treatment period

The Invisalign system is comprised of multiple sets of trays that are worn in succession as your teeth are moved into the desired position. Your dentist will fit you for your initial set and once they are complete, you will need to wear them for a period of roughly two to three weeks.

After that time you will be issued a new set of trays, which are designed to tighten and straighten the teeth further toward their desired appearance. The amount of subsequent trays you will need to wear is entirely dependent on the amount of work necessary to fully align your teeth. All patients are different, as some may need more time than others.

Adjustment time

Some, but not all, patients might experience some light discomfort when they first wear the Invisalign trays. Not to worry, this is only temporary and will often subside in about 7-10 days’ time. Most of our patients have experienced tightness due to the appliances being attached firmly to their teeth. This is a normal feeling that will go away once you’re used to wearing the trays for the long term.

Some patients have also reported slight irritation of the gums and mouth due to the trays rubbing up against these surfaces. If you feel this sort of discomfort, you can rest assured this will also pass after a brief initial period.

Dental maintenance

Patients who wear the Invisalign trays for any length of time are advised to be extra careful about what they eat and drink and be particularly thorough about brushing and flossing their teeth. In the case of the former, it is highly recommended that you avoid consuming any liquids that can stain your teeth as they will discolor your clear trays. So skip the red wine and coffee until your treatments are complete.

As to the latter, it’s absolutely critical that you brush and floss completely as bacteria grow rapidly underneath the trays. This can lead to gum disease and infection, so you will need to be very dedicated to brushing after snacks and meals.

Most of us know that good oral health helps to ensure that we keep our natural teeth and enjoy healthy gums. But what you may not know is that your oral health is actually strongly linked to your overall health, making it even more important to maintain a daily oral hygiene routine at home and visit your dentist regularly for exams and cleanings.

When we don’t practice good daily oral hygiene routines and visit the dentist for regular professional cleanings, the bacteria in our mouths can build up and lead to infections like gum disease. Studies conducted over the past several years have shown that there is a connection between the inflammation caused by gum disease and other diseases. Here’s what dental and health experts have determined with regard to how your oral health is linked to your overall health:

•  Diabetes – Patients who suffer from diabetes are more prone to developing gum disease most likely due to the fact that diabetes makes the patient less resistant to infections. Studies have also demonstrated that periodontal treatment in diabetic patients helps them to more effectively control their diabetes.
•  Heart disease – When bacteria from your mouth spreads through your bloodstream to other areas of your body, it often damages the heart, causing an infection in the inner lining of the heart referred to as endocarditis.
•  Cardiovascular disease – Inflammation of the gums and oral bacteria have also been linked to clogged arteries, stroke, and heart disease.
•  Osteoporosis – Bone loss in the jaw and tooth loss may be linked to osteoporosis, which is the disease that causes bones to weaken and break easily.
•  Alzheimer’s disease – Patients suffering with Alzheimer’s disease also suffer with declining oral health over time.
•  HIV/AIDS – Oral health issues are quite common in HIV/AIDS patients.
•  Premature births – Studies have shown a link between gum disease and premature births in pregnant women.

That list is impressive enough, but research has also found that poor oral health is related to conditions such as cancers of the neck and head, eating disorders, rheumatoid arthritis and an immune system disease that causes the patient to experience a chronic dry mouth.

If maintaining healthy teeth and gums aren’t motivation enough to practice a daily oral hygiene routine at home and visit your dentist on a regular basis, maybe this list will help. Remember that when it comes to good oral health, there’s much more at stake than your teeth and gums!

Experiencing some amount of fear or anxiety about visiting the dentist is common, but some people are so intimidated that they actually avoid going to the dentist altogether. In fact, according to the Dental Fears Research Clinic at the University of Washington, between 5% and 8% of all Americans fall into this category, and about 20% only visit the dentist when it’s absolutely necessary. Those are unfortunate statistics, because the only way to ensure good oral health is by visiting the dentist for routine exams and cleanings on a regular basis – typically twice a year at least. If you or someone in your family suffers from dental anxiety, there are several ways to deal with your fears.

• Dental sedation methods: Many dentists offer a variety of sedation techniques designed to help their patients relax and feel more at ease during their visits to the dentist. Some of these include nitrous oxide (also known as “laughing gas”), oral sedation, and IV sedation. Each of these allow the patients to remain at ease but thoroughly conscious during their appointments. Your dentist can help you decide which method is right for you.
• Try to relax: There are several methods that can help you feel more at ease no matter what the situation may be. Deep breathing, for example, slows your heartbeat and helps to relax your muscles. Try taking a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds, then slowly exhaling. Repeat this a few times until you feel yourself starting to relax.
• Distraction helps: Several people have found that being distracted helps calm them down. Consider bringing some type of music or audiobook that you can listen to on your own headphones while the procedure is taking place.
• Take someone with you: The old adage about there being safety in numbers actually works when it comes to overcoming anxiety. Ask a friend or family member to come with you to your appointment. Just make sure it’s someone who doesn’t share your dental anxiety.
• Consider seeking the help of a counselor: If you just can’t overcome your fear through any of these techniques, consider asking a psychologist or family counselor for help. They can often provide helpful suggestions for dealing with anxiety issues.There is no doubt that you’ll need to visit the dentist to ensure your good oral health. And good oral health goes hand in hand with good overall health. So whatever you need to do to overcome your anxiety and visit your dentist on a regular basis is well worth the effort!

Balance is important in virtually every aspect of life. The same holds for our bodies, where it’s vital to maintain a balanced mixture of the microbes necessary to help protect us from germs, produce essential vitamins, and break down the food we consume into energy. The mouth is also home to a host of microbes, all of which work in balance to keep our teeth and gums healthy and disease-free.

One method of encouraging the growth of good microorganisms inside our mouths is through the use of oral probiotics, which provide a variety of benefits, including:

• Reducing gingivitis and gum disease
• Reducing bad breath
• Boosting our immune system
• Remineralizing the enamel of your teeth
• Balancing pH levels in the mouth
• Encouraging the healthy flow of saliva, eliminating dry mouth

Oral probiotics are contained in a variety of foods, including yogurt, sauerkraut, buttermilk, kefir, and sourdough bread, among others.

In addition to oral probiotics, there are other effective ways to keep your oral microbiome balanced and healthy, including:

• A daily oral health regimen that includes brushing and flossing. Bacteria easily and quickly builds up on your teeth, which means it’s important to remove it every day. And don’t forget to floss to remove the bacteria that accumulates between your teeth, where a toothbrush doesn’t reach.
• Regular dental visits. No matter how diligent you may be concerning your daily routine, you’ll never be able to altogether remove all the plaque and tartar that builds up on your teeth. Only a dental professional can do that.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet each day. The most important thing you can do to keep your oral microbiome balanced is to enjoy a healthy diet every single day. Avoid food with too much sugar, and eat an abundance of fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid bad habits. Tobacco is not only bad for your overall health it wreaks havoc with your oral microbiome. Whether you smoke it or chew it, tobacco kills off the healthy microbes that reside inside your mouth, leaving room for the bad ones to grow. Excessive alcohol not only kills beneficial microorganisms but also gives you a “dry mouth,” which in turn creates an acidic environment that encourages the growth of bacteria.

Balance truly is the key to a healthy body and a healthy mouth. Enjoy probiotics, and a nutritious plant-based diet, avoid bad habits and maintain a regular oral hygiene regimen for a balanced oral microbiome. Your oral health, and your overall health, depend on it!

The first thing that all parents need to know with regard to their child’s first dental visit is exactly when that should take place. The answer may surprise you. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents take their children in for their first dental visit by the age of 1. That’s because that is the age when children first begin to develop the risk of tooth decay. During that first visit, your dentist can explain the most effective way to care for your toddler’s teeth and gums, as well as making suggestions for the best diet for your child’s oral health and how to resolve any bad habits that your child may be forming, such as thumb sucking. You should plan on taking your child in for regular follow-up visits after that, the frequency of which will be decided by your dentist.

Before the first visit, prepare a list of any questions you may have for your dentist. It’s a good idea to ask the office staff to send you any forms that need to be filled out ahead of time, so you can focus completely on your child and your conversation with the dentist during the appointment. This first visit is intended to be as much of an informative visit for the parent as it is an oral exam of the child. Your dentist will review your child’s health history with you, and will discuss how your child is developing from an oral health perspective along with any issues that you may have noticed with your child – such as those revolving around teething or thumb sucking, for example.

Try to go into the visit with a positive, healthy mindset for the sake of your child. Remember that your little one has no dental anxiety or previous experience with the dentist, so as long as you’re at ease and relaxed, your child should be as well. A trained pediatric dentist understands how best to work with very young children. You may be surprised at your child’s reaction – he or she may actually enjoy the attention provided by an experienced pediatric dental professional!

It’s also important to keep your child occupied and as comfortable as possible during the visit. So plan on taking along something that is comforting and familiar to your child, such as a favorite blanket or toy, for example. And, of course, bringing a small snack and an extra diaper is always a good idea!

This first visit is an important one for your child. Remember that you’re setting up your little one for a lifetime of trips to the dentist. So do everything possible to make your child’s first trip as relaxing and as pleasant as can be. The less fearful they are of dental visits, the easier it will get to take them in the future!

If you visit your dentist regularly, there’s a good chance you’ll find out you have a cavity during examination or x-rays. Frequent, professional dental care means you probably won’t experience any symptoms common to cavities before they are caught and treated.

If, however, you don’t visit the dentist as regularly as you should for checkup, cleaning, and x-rays, cavities could worsen to the point that you begin experiencing several unfortunate symptoms. Here are a few warning signs you should be aware of so that you can seek treatment immediately.

Discomfort

As cavities grow, you could experience worsening levels of discomfort that include tenderness or tooth sensitivity, sharp pains when biting down or when drinking hot or cold liquids, or a chronic ache that gets worse over time. If cavities go undiagnosed and untreated, tooth decay will spread, not only within the infected tooth, but potentially to other teeth, the jaw, and surrounding tissues.

If you start to feel discomfort or even pain, it’s a sign that something is wrong. It might not be a cavity, but there’s always a chance tooth decay could be to blame. Regardless, you’ll want to pinpoint the source so you can take steps to alleviate discomfort, and this means contacting your dentist.

Visible Symptoms

Most of us don’t look too closely at our teeth on a day-to-day basis, even if we practice good oral hygiene and brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash after every meal. That said, if you start to notice brown or black staining on the surface of the tooth, or worse, visible pitting (small holes in teeth), you’ll definitely want to see your dentist for a professional diagnosis.

Foul Odor or Taste

If you suffer from bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth, there could be any number of causes, including the foods and beverages you consume (garlic onions, etc.), bad habits like smoking, diseases like diabetes, dry mouth related to medications, and so on. However, if none of these common causes apply to your situation, tooth decay could be to blame.

Any time you start to notice changes to your oral health, including the onset of discomfort or bad tastes or odors in the mouth, it’s best to consult with your dentists and schedule an appointment for examination. It’s always better to err on the side of caution – catching a cavity early could help to preserve your natural teeth and stave off further oral health concerns.

There’s no denying the power of a beautiful, perfect smile. It’s often cited as the most attractive attribute when meeting someone for the first time, and it can help you to feel confident and comfortable in social situations. Naturally, you also want to maintain good oral health for functional reasons.

So when a tooth is damaged by decay, trauma, or other causes, you probably want to see your dentist to fix the problem as soon as possible. Depending on the amount of damage, it may turn out that you need a crown. What can you expect during this process? How are porcelain crowns fitted?

Preparation

In most cases, you’ll have to schedule two visits to get a permanent crown placed. During the first visit, you’ll undergo preparations. This starts with x-rays to determine the extent of damage to the tooth, followed by appropriate treatment to remove decay or shape the tooth in preparation to receive a crown. You may need some drilling, filing, or even a root canal – it will depend on your particular situation.

If your tooth has suffered serious damage or decay, your dentist may need to apply some amount of filling material to create a stable base for the crown. When the tooth is ready, impressions can be taken to make the mold for the physical crown. In some cases, this is done with putty pressed onto the tooth; in others, a digital scanner is used. You will receive a temporary crown to protect your damaged tooth while the porcelain crown is being created.

Receiving a Crown

By the time you arrive for your second visit, your porcelain crown should be ready. It could take 2-3 weeks for a lab to create your crown. During your visit, your dentist will remove the temporary crown, check the fit of the new crown, and if all goes well, cement it permanently in place. In most case, you can expect the use of local anesthetic to ensure a comfortable experience.

After Care

With proper care, your porcelain crown could complete your smile and protect your tooth for up to 15 years. If you want to get the greatest longevity from your crown, you need to observe good oral hygiene and schedule regular dental visits to avoid further tooth decay.

You also need to avoid potential harm. Although porcelain crowns are designed to hold up to normal wear and tear, they can definitely be damaged by chewing on hard items (ice, candy, pen caps, etc.) or issues like bruxism (clenching or grinding teeth). Luckily, there are steps you can take to reduce risk factors and maintain your porcelain crown for years to come.

There’s no denying the benefit of traditional orthodontic braces to correct severe issues like misaligned teeth or jaws. That said, even teens interested in obtaining a straight smile aren’t terribly enthusiastic about the prospect of wearing metal braces for two years. As an adult that has had braces before, you’re probably even less interested in returning to this method of dental alignment.

Unfortunately, our teeth are not generally inclined to stay in their straight positions after braces are removed. This is why you have to faithfully wear retainers for years after braces to keep your smile looking as perfect as the day you got your braces off.

Raise your hand if you’re one of many adults that adhered to a strict regimen following braces, but over the years, your retainer usage fell by the wayside. Now you find yourself dealing with the consequences – teeth that have shifted somewhat – and you’re hesitant to return to braces. Don’t fret, there’s another option. With Invisalign you could straighten your smile without the many drawbacks of braces. Here’s what you need to know.

The Benefits of Invisalign

Invisalign offers some of the same benefits as traditional braces, insomuch as they help to correct smile and bite issues. However, the invisible trays are custom made for your mouth, and you’ll receive a series of trays that gradually correct your particular issues.

Although you’ll have to wear your Invisalign trays for the majority of each day, they are removable (unlike metal braces), which means you can take them off for the sake of convenience when you eat or clean your teeth. In addition, they are generally considered more comfortable than traditional braces, not least of all because they have no sharp, metal edges.

The kicker, however, is that Invisalign could deliver results in as little as about six months, which is significantly less than braces. At similar cost, you stand to gain a lot of benefits when you opt for Invisalign.

Invisalign after Braces

The big question, of course, is whether or not you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. In many cases, those who have had braces previously are ideal candidates because much of the hard work has already been done, and only minor adjustments are needed.

Invisalign can help to correct minor issues like gaps, crowding, underbite, overbite, and so on, but they may not work well for severe misalignment. If you want to find out if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, simply contact your dentist to schedule a consultation.

The dawn of a new calendar year often spurs a time of reflection, whereby you assess your actions and outcomes from the previous year in order to reprioritize and create a plan to move forward. For many, this means setting New Year’s resolutions, including common goals like weight loss and debt reduction, just for example.

However, you don’t want to neglect other areas where you could stand to see some improvement, and if you’ve avoided the topic of oral health, now is the perfect time to plan for a healthier smile. Here are just a few resolutions to help you accomplish this goal.

1. Dental diet

The foods and beverages you consume can do more than affect your overall health – they can also have a marked impact on your oral health. When you ingest a lot of sugar, for example, you can do serious harm to your teeth. Sticky sugars cling to teeth and create the perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria, leading to plaque and tarter buildup, and eventually, more serious issues like tooth decay and gum disease.

Make a resolution to cut back on sugary sodas, candy, and more and you could see reduction of cavities and other oral health issues as a result. Don’t forget, you can also introduce helpful foods into your diet. Adequate calcium supports good bone health, which includes healthy teeth, and snacking on crisp fruits and veggies like apples, carrots, celery, and so on can help to scrape harmful biofilm off teeth to keep them clean between brushing.

2. Upgrade oral hygiene

If you’ve relied mainly on brushing to keep your teeth clean, this is the year to commit to adding flossing and rinsing with mouthwash to your routine. These measures help to clean away food and bacteria stuck between teeth and under the gum line, reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

3. Visit the dentist

Plenty of adults skip the recommended annual dental visit for cleaning, checkup, and x-rays. However, this only allows oral health issues to fester. Good oral hygiene at home can do a lot to preserve oral health, but without professional examination, treatment, and preventive care, a minor issue could grow into something much more serious.

4. Address oral health issues

If you’ve been putting off deep cleaning or replacing old fillings, or you’ve simply grown used to cosmetic concerns like crowding or chipped or cracked teeth, it’s time to address these issues that could have a negative impact on oral health. Visit your dentist to discuss oral health and come up with a plan to move forward.

If you’ve never had gum boils before, there’s a good chance you’ve never even heard of them. Even if you experience the swelling, pain, redness, and other symptoms associated with these mouth sores, you might not know what they are.

Gum boils are bumps or swollen areas of the gum where abscesses have formed. They are often the result of food, plaque, or bacteria beneath gum tissue that have grown into an infection, irritating the gums and creating pus that leads to bulging gum tissue in certain areas of the mouth.

How does this happen? What causes gum boils and what can you do to get rid of them?

Causes

While gum boils are often the product of bacterial growth, the underlying issue is generally gum disease or tooth decay. There are cases in which infection is not necessarily involved, such as when poorly-fitted dentures rub and irritate gums until boils form.

Gum disease causes gums to become irritated and inflamed, which can lead to gaps between teeth and gums. This is often how food and bacteria are able to infiltrate below the gum line, causing abscesses and the appearance of boils. Tooth decay could also be to blame. Abscesses in teeth could extend infection to the gums, leading to boils.

Home Remedies

Because gum boils are often caused by bacteria below the gum line, there’s not a lot you can do on your own to improve the situation. You should never, never attempt to lance or otherwise treat gum boils on your own as you risk causing serious harm and spreading bacteria.

That said, there are a few ways to alleviate the pain symptoms associated with gum boils while you’re waiting to see your dentist or you’re undergoing professional treatment. Gargling with salt water could help to diminish symptoms, as can using an antibacterial mouthwash. Ask your doctor if products like Orajel Mouth Sore Gel could help with pain.

Professional Help

The only real way to rid yourself of gum boils is with the help of your dentist. If bacteria are present, your dentist will likely start with a course of antibiotics to treat the infection and prevent further bacterial growth.

In addition, you will have to undergo treatment for underlying causes of boils, which could include deep cleaning to remove tartar below the gum line and allow gums to recover. You might also have to go through a root canal or other procedures if tooth decay is to blame. If boils don’t respond to these treatments or they’re unrelated to infection, surgical removal is an option.