Month: September 2022

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.