If you are seeking a time-tested orthodontic solution to straighten your teeth and improve your smile, you may want to consider traditional metal braces. In today’s world, braces are smaller, less noticeable, and more comfortable than ever before! You can achieve the smile you’ve always wanted with the help of our trusted orthodontic team.

Braces: What Are They and How Do They Work?

Traditional metal braces are the most affordable, durable, and effective method for straightening your teeth and improving your appearance. Metal brackets are attached to the front of your teeth, and flexible wires or archwires connect the brackets. It is common for braces to include rubber bands or metal ties that connect the brackets to the wire, creating more pressure to straighten your teeth.

With braces, you can align your teeth by applying just the right amount of pressure. Below the teeth, gums, and bones is a membrane that moves in response to pressure and gradually repositions itself. The bones under the teeth are also altered in shape, gradually shifting your teeth into the desired position. As your teeth move into place, bone and tissue grow in the space left behind, which, combined with the use of a retainer, helps preserve your new smile.

Traditional braces correct what conditions?

Almost any orthodontic concern can be corrected with traditional braces, including gapped, crowded, or severely misaligned teeth. Additionally, they can correct problems with the bite, including underbites, crossbites, open bites, and overbites. For complicated orthodontic cases, traditional braces are the best option due to their effectiveness and versatility.

What is the best way to keep your braces clean?

Keeping your mouth healthy is important for everyone, but especially for those who wear braces. Start your cleaning routine by rinsing your mouth to remove any loose food particles. Using a soft-bristled brush, angle it to remove any food that has accumulated on the top of your brackets and brush along your gum line. Be sure to brush your teeth from the bottom of your brackets upward and to brush each tooth, front and back. To prevent food particles from becoming trapped in your mouth, rinse your mouth after every meal or snack.

You should also floss regularly. You can use a floss threader or floss picks, whichever is easier for you. Feed your floss between your teeth and under your wires. You shouldn’t tug on the floss when it’s under a wire. If any loose food debris remains in your mouth, rinse it away with water. You may also benefit from using an irrigator to keep your mouth clean.

Get in touch with our friendly orthodontic team to learn more about straightening your teeth and perfecting your smile with traditional braces. We are dedicated to providing our valued patients with a lifetime of beautiful smiles. Make an appointment with our orthodontic office today.

Orthodontics is often thought of as a treatment for children and adolescents. However, there are many benefits of orthodontics for adults as well. Orthodontics can improve your oral health, your appearance, and your self-esteem. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of orthodontics for adults and why it’s never too late to get braces.

Orthodontics is important for adults for several reasons. First, it can help with the function of your teeth and jaws. Second, it can improve the appearance of your teeth and smile. Third, it can help prevent or reduce problems with your teeth and jaws later in life.

So if you’re an adult who is considering orthodontic treatment, know that you’re not alone. Orthodontics can be a great way to improve your oral health and your overall well-being.

What are the benefits of orthodontics for adults?

Orthodontics is not just for teenagers. More and more adults are seeking treatment to straighten their teeth and achieve a more attractive smile. While the most obvious benefit of orthodontics is an improved appearance, there are also many other benefits that can improve your overall oral health.

Some of the benefits of orthodontics for adults include:

• Improved oral health: Straight teeth are easier to clean and less likely to develop cavities or other problems.
• Corrected bite: Orthodontic treatment can correct a misaligned bite, which can help to alleviate pain and prevent further damage to the teeth.
• Improved self-esteem: A straighter, more attractive smile can boost self-confidence and help you feel better about yourself.

How can orthodontics improve your life?

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Orthodontic treatment can improve the appearance of your teeth and jaws, and it can also help improve your bite. In addition, orthodontic treatment can also help to improve your overall oral health.

If you are considering orthodontic treatment, then you may be wondering how it can improve your life. Here are some ways that orthodontics can improve your life shared by our orthodontist in 60465:

• Orthodontics can improve the appearance of your teeth and jaws.
• Orthodontics can help to improve your bite.
• Orthodontics can help to improve your overall oral health.
• Orthodontics can help to improve your self-esteem and confidence.

Are there any risks associated with orthodontics for adults?

Orthodontics for adults is a growing trend, but there are some risks associated with it. The most common complication is root resorption, which is when the roots of the teeth start to dissolve. This can happen when the braces put too much pressure on the teeth. It’s important to consult with an orthodontist before getting braces to make sure that you are a good candidate for the treatment and to discuss the risks involved.

Orthodontics can provide many benefits for adults, including improved oral health, a more aesthetically pleasing smile, and increased self-confidence. While the decision to pursue orthodontic treatment is a personal one, it is important to consult with a qualified orthodontist to learn about the treatment options available and to develop a treatment plan that meets your individual needs. Please contact our Palos Hills, IL orthodontics office to schedule a consultation.

Once your orthodontic treatment begins, you will need to visit our orthodontist in Palos Hills at regular intervals. We will explain the importance of regular orthodontic appointments during your initial consultation. Our Palos Hills orthodontics team agrees that practicing good oral hygiene and avoiding certain habits can help you and your family save money while preventing tooth decay.

What is the significance of regular appointments?

Braces are made up of wires and brackets that cover parts of the surface of your teeth. The attachments create areas where food particles and plaque can accumulate, putting you at risk for cavities. Brushing and flossing between meals are important steps, but regular orthodontic appointments are critical in preventing dental problems.

It is also important to note that patients should see their general dentist twice a year. Orthodontists are trained in general dentistry, but only your personal dentist understands your specific oral health requirements.

Regular visits to our orthodontic office can help ensure that your treatments are completed on time. Your follow-up visits, also known as “adjustment appointments,” allow us to replace worn-out bands, monitor your progress, and make any necessary adjustments. If a component of your braces has become loosened, damaged, or broken, we can repair it during your visit. Failure to keep your braces clean can result in a longer treatment time.

We will also visually inspect the movement of your teeth. Adjustments can be made if one or more teeth are not moving according to your treatment timeline.

Our orthodontist will look for signs of complications during your braces appointments, which can include:

• Injuries to the soft tissues
• Sores on the lips
• Tooth decay
• Problems with tooth alignment
• Demineralization

Teens: Special Considerations

If you are the parent of a teen who is undergoing orthodontic treatment, we encourage you to remind your teen about appointments. Teenagers are more likely to have compliance issues. During your braces appointments, our orthodontist will be able to tell if your child is not properly cleaning his or her braces. We can also discuss important topics like oral hygiene and maintenance during our appointments.

Brushing Suggestions

• Brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle to your gums.
• Brush gently in a circular motion.
• Brush each tooth’s surface, including the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces.
• Brush the inner surface of your front teeth with the brush’s tip.

Flossing Suggestions

• Use floss that is about 18 inches long and thread it carefully between the braces and wire, or use a floss threader.
• Floss around your braces with care.
• Floss first around your gums, then your teeth.

Regular orthodontic appointments

You can keep your orthodontic treatment timeline on track and avoid gum disease and tooth decay by attending regular orthodontic appointments at intervals determined by our orthodontist. Braces appointments are an excellent opportunity to ask questions, describe issues, and receive advice on proper braces hygiene and maintenance. To schedule your next appointment, please contact our orthodontics office in Palos Hills, IL.

When you first meet someone, one of the first things they notice about you is your teeth. Because our teeth are vital to our health and well-being, it is critical that we care for them and keep them in the best possible condition.

Feel Good About Yourself.
Many people are self-conscious about their smiles and often avoid showing their teeth in photographs. However, seeing an orthodontist can help you gain confidence in your smile and boost your self-esteem significantly. Orthodontists will customize your treatment to your specific needs and desires, ensuring that your smile is contagious by the end of your treatment! A healthy smile and teeth are critical to both our physical and mental health, as well as how confident we feel. It is estimated that the average person will wear braces for about two years, which is a small price to pay for a lifetime of good oral health.

Orthodontists can assist patients of all ages.
Many people believe that orthodontists are only for children who need braces to straighten their teeth. However, orthodontists are available to people of all ages. Orthodontists can treat a wide range of problems that affect people of all ages, including TMJ treatment, teeth straightening, and other issues. Older patients can even choose an Invisalign aligner, which is virtually invisible and can be removed during meals. Whatever treatment you require, your orthodontist will be able to provide it through an orthodontic exam in which your treatment will be tailored to your specific needs.

Invisalign®: The Braces of the Future
Many people refuse to have their orthodontic issues treated because they are afraid they will need braces. Many people are self-conscious about their braces, which can be difficult for them. Fortunately, technology has advanced, and you can now get clear braces called Invisalign® aligners. These are removable, invisible braces that straighten teeth without the inconveniences associated with metal braces.

Improved Jaw Alignment
When it comes to our dental health, it is critical to have proper jaw alignment to avoid future issues, such as TMJ treatments. To reduce these risks, it is critical to get braces or Invisalign as soon as possible. An unaligned jaw can be painful and difficult to manage, especially when eating. Traditional braces or Invisalign can mitigate these risks by allowing you to maintain normal jaw alignment and reduce the risk of future issues.

Oral hygiene is significantly improved.
Our oral hygiene has an impact on how we feel about ourselves and can make us feel self-conscious. We make certain that our teeth are clean and that our breath is minty fresh. Food that becomes stuck between misaligned teeth is reduced when teeth are properly aligned. These stuck food particles can cause cavities and plaque, among other problems. Misaligned teeth can lead to periodontal disease, which is an infection of the gums caused by an abundance of plaque.

Whatever problem you are having with your oral health, orthodontists can help you improve it and avoid potentially harmful issues or diseases in the future. Seeing an orthodontist will benefit both your oral and mental health because you will be proud of your smile! Our orthodontic office is here to help. Contact us today.

We understand that aligning teeth into healthy, beautiful smiles is only half of the job. Maintaining proper oral hygiene and keeping your mouth as clean and free of plaque and harmful bacteria as possible is also essential. Whether you have metal braces, clear braces, gold braces, or Invisalign®, knowing how to care for your appliances and maintain your overall oral health is critical. Here are some products that can assist you along the way.

Interdental Toothbrush
A Proxabrush is a toothbrush that you can use to clean underneath and around your wires and braces. To avoid damaging your wires, use the Proxabrush gently. The Proxabrush will assist you in cleaning your braces while keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Our orthodontic office can help with suggestions if you have questions. 

Toothpaste with fluoride and mouthwash
Topical fluoride, found in toothpaste and mouthwash, helps patients of all ages avoid dental decay. The use of fluoride-containing oral hygiene products on a daily basis is especially important when undergoing orthodontic treatment because orthodontic appliances make it more difficult to remove harmful plaque and bacteria from the teeth and gums.

For the duration of your orthodontic treatment, we can prescribe a prescription-strength fluoride to help prevent decalcification, or the breakdown of tooth enamel. This toothpaste provides additional protection for your tooth enamel, which is required due to the amount of plaque that accumulates while wearing braces. Due to the elevated levels of fluoride present in this toothpaste, adult supervision is always suggested. 

We also recommend that you use a fluoride-containing mouthwash, such as the alcohol-free ACT Anti-cavity Fluoride Rinse, to help protect your enamel.

Cleaning removable appliances
Brush your removable appliance as part of your regular brushing and flossing routine every day. Soak your appliance daily because food particles and plaque can accumulate on it just like they do on your teeth. Soak your appliance once a day in a glass of room-temperature tap water with a Polident, Efferdent, or other denture-cleaning tablet dissolved in it. Your appliance will taste better, and plaque and bacterial buildup will be reduced.

The significance of maintaining good oral hygiene while wearing braces cannot be overstated. Although brushing and flossing your teeth with braces is more difficult, there are many products specifically designed to help with this. Please contact our orthodontic office if you have any additional questions or concerns about maintaining proper oral hygiene, or if you would like to schedule an appointment. We are always happy to help!

Often, people today have white spots on their teeth that look chalky or opaque. Perhaps you have them, or perhaps you’ve seen them on a friend or family member’s teeth. Many things can cause white spots on teeth. They can be caused by nutrition, genetics, excessive fluoride intake at an early age, or poor oral hygiene.

In orthodontic treatment, white spots can develop if plaque remains around the brackets and along the gum line for a prolonged period without proper brushing and flossing. Maintaining good oral hygiene is imperative during orthodontic treatment. Since the bonding material binds the brackets to each tooth, you rarely see white marks under the braces. Once your braces are removed, you will notice these white marks around where the brackets once were and along the gum line.

When you consume food and beverages, the pH level in your mouth drops significantly. It is at this point that cavities begin to form. If the plaque remains around your braces for a long time, it can cause decalcification, or white marks, which lead to tooth decay.

How to Prevent White Spots

• Our Palos Hills orthodontics team recommends to brush your teeth, especially before bedtime. You do not want the plaque to remain around your braces and gum line all night. Plaque usually collects under wires and around brackets. Make sure you brush well and pay close attention to areas around your brackets. 
• Consider using an electric toothbrush. Their effectiveness is far greater than that of a Waterpik, which does not remove plaque as efficiently as brushing.
• Maintain regular dental flossing to remove plaque and debris from between your teeth. White spots are not as noticeable between the teeth, but they can still be a problem.
• If indicated, use a prescription fluoride toothpaste or rinse based on your brushing habits.
• Reduce the intake of acidic foods and drinks such as sour candies, lemons, vinegar based foods, and acidic drinks such as soda, sports drinks, and lemonade. Regular consumption increases the risk of developing decalcification or white marks.

The color of your teeth and susceptibility to decay are determined at birth, just like your hair and eye color. The cause of white spots on teeth varies from person to person. Our orthodontist in Palos Hills aims to educate all our patients and parents on how good oral hygiene and diet impact dental health during orthodontic treatment. Together, let’s create beautiful smiles that last a lifetime!

Contact our orthodontic office in Palos Hills, IL today to schedule an appointment.

Orthodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that treats, prevents, and diagnoses various dental problems. Orthodontics can help correct some of these issues by using either fixed or removable appliances.

Fixed orthodontic appliances must be bonded to the teeth. Removable appliances are different from fixed appliances because they can be taken out of your mouth. Removable appliances are often preferred because orthodontic care often involves multiple phases of treatment. There are several types of removable and fixed appliances available to those who are considering a specific treatment option.

Invisalign®

One of the most popular options is Invisalign®. This is a great option for those who wish to straighten their teeth discreetly. Invisalign® allows you to straighten your teeth without the use of fixed braces.

Our orthodontic office uses several removable aligners, so you won’t be forced to wear brackets and metal wires. Treatment with Invisalign® can last up to 15 months, and you’ll need to use a series of aligners to achieve the desired results. New aligners are usually needed every two weeks. For example, Invisalign® aligners are easier to remove than fixed braces, so you can remove them while eating and drinking.

Retainers

After you have completed your treatment program, our orthodontist in 60465 says you will still need to wear retainers. Retainers are crucial for maintaining your teeth’s alignment after treatment ends.

The benefits of wearing retainers are much greater than they are perceived to be, and without them, your teeth could shift back into their original position. The use of retainers should be continued into adulthood by adolescents. Adults should wear retainers indefinitely.

Night Guard

Patients with bruxism, or teeth grinding, can wear night guards to protect their teeth when they sleep. Grinding can result in jaw trauma and teeth can begin to wear away. Patients who grind their teeth excessively should wear a night guard to prevent future complications. 

Mouth guards

It is very important to protect your teeth with a mouthguard. Athletes commonly use them to protect their teeth from receiving damaging blows or being knocked out. Any forceful impact can cause serious damage to the teeth without a mouth guard.

Space Maintainers

Orthodontic appliances such as these are common for kids with premature tooth loss. By wearing space maintainers, your child can prevent their baby teeth from moving into an area where their permanent teeth will develop and grow.

When a child loses a tooth prematurely, the teeth that remain are likely to change position and block the area where permanent teeth should erupt. As a result, the upper and lower sets of teeth may become misaligned.

Palatal Expander

A palatal expander is an orthodontic appliance that widens the upper jaw. It increases the size of the bone to accommodate all permanent teeth, as well as to fix imbalances between the upper and lower jaws so that the teeth are properly aligned. In addition to addressing functional issues, a palate expander can also create a broader, more aesthetic smile.

Orthodontic appliances serve many purposes and are used to treat certain jaw and alignment issues. A patient’s unique orthodontic needs determine the type of appliance required. Please contact our orthodontics office in Palos Hills, IL to schedule a consultation appointment.