Getting braces as an adult can be stressful enough, but it can be even more stressful if you need them while you are pregnant. Pregnancy can change your dental health significantly, but that does not mean that you will need braces or can’t get them if you need them. There are just a few things that you need to focus on during the process. Here is how you can get braces during pregnancy.
Caught Up on Dental Health
Regardless of when you get braces, you need to be caught up on dental health first. You cannot put braces on teeth that have problems. Many of the dental conditions that disqualify you from getting braces are conditions that weaken the strength and stability of your teeth. For example, you can’t put braces on a cavity since it won’t be able to hold up to the strain of braces. Consult your dentist to see if there is anything that you need to do to be ready for braces.
Pregnancy Causes Gum Inflammation
During pregnancy, your gums will be inflamed. This is a normal part of pregnancy but can be uncomfortable. It can also affect your eligibility for braces. Inflamed gums often recede from the gum line, which can expose the roots of your teeth if your gums move too much. It can also make you more susceptible to cavities and plaque buildup closer to your roots. Your dentist can help you manage the discomfort from gum inflammation.
More Difficult to Clean Teeth
Cleaning your teeth while pregnant is more difficult. Because your body chemistry is changing, your teeth are undergoing changes too. Because of this, your teeth may see increased wear due to many changes including reduced calcium. This makes your teeth harder to clean since your teeth are wearing at a higher rate. However, it is still possible to get a good cleaning with the proper tools and experience.
Safety of Dental X-Rays
Dental x-rays are often used to find potential problems with your teeth that are hard to see. However, x-rays are not advisable during pregnancy. However, it is possible to have dental x-rays done while pregnant. It just requires heightened protections. Your dentist will have you wear extra lead padding, as well as place the padding in a different position. That way, you and your baby will be protected from the radiation while you get the x-rays that you need.
Cravings and Dietary Restrictions
You will also have to deal with cravings and dietary restrictions while pregnant. This can be a bit of a challenge if you add in braces since there will be more restrictions on what you can eat. If you have braces, eating the wrong things can mess with your dental health or result in painful repairs to your braces if they break. Only get braces if you are sure that you can fight cravings for foods that can hurt your dental health during pregnancy.
Most Pregnant Women Can Safely Use Braces
The truth is that most pregnant women can safely use braces. There are a few problems that arise that cannot be overcome with the help of a skilled dentist. However, it is important to work with your dentist before you get braces to ensure that you are ready for them. Once they are on, there is no going back. So, make sure that you have the support that you need to get through it.
If you think you need braces, or you are having dental health problems while you are pregnant, call (860) 667-8277 today to make an appointment at Greater Hartford Orthodontics.
Benefits of Getting Braces as an Adult
Straighter Teeth. The ultimate goal of orthodontics is to straighten teeth and properly align the bite. Teeth don’t always naturally come in straight and perfect for everyone. In fact, more people need orthodontic intervention than those that don’t.
Improved Appearance. Having straighter teeth can help you feel more confident about your smile. You may be more likely to smile throughout your daily life and in photos. Even those with no major orthodontic concerns may still benefit from the aesthetic improvement braces offer.
Better Oral Health. Straight teeth not only look better, but will also be healthier. When your bite doesn’t align properly or your teeth are not in the correct places they can experience a greater amount of wear and tear. As you chew you could be doing extensive damage to your teeth. Teeth that are turned or crowded against other teeth can be harder to keep clean and are more susceptible to decay.
Lasting Results. Once your teeth are in proper alignment and your braces are removed, all that is required to keep them aligned is to wear retainers every night. As long as you follow your orthodontist’s instructions you should see results that will last for the rest of your life.
Would you like to have straighter teeth? Have you been considering getting braces, but aren’t sure if it’s the right choice for you?
Getting braces as an adult can be a difficult decision, but there are many benefits. The field of orthodontics has come a long way over the years, and it’s possible you may have some misconceptions about adult braces. Here are some of the common concerns that some people have about braces and some possible solutions to help alleviate those concerns.
- Concern: Braces are unattractive. One of the biggest reasons adults give for not wanting to get braces is that they are worried about how they will look. This is an understandable concern.
- Solution: There are more attractive options. Clear ceramic braces are less noticeable than metal braces and can serve the same purpose in the same amount of time. Invisalign® is a system for straightening teeth using completely clear plastic aligners, which are similar to retainers that fit over your teeth. Invisalign® is typically comparable in price to traditional braces, but may take a few months longer to complete their job.
- Concern: Braces are expensive. Many people think they cannot afford braces or simply don’t want to pay for them.
- Solution: Insurance and payment plans can help. Some dental insurance plans will cover all or some of the cost of braces. If not, orthodontists offer payment plans to spread the cost out over time in order to make it more affordable. Financing options are also available for medical or related needs.
- Concern: Braces are painful. You may have heard that braces make your teeth hurt and that they can irritate the cheeks, tongue, and inside of the lips.
- Solution: New technology has reduced pain. Braces have come a long way in design so that they are not as rough and painful as they used to be. One alternative option is Invisalign®, which doesn’t use any metal or hard brackets on teeth. Invisalign® uses clear aligners to move teeth more gradually so that there is less pain.
- Concern: Braces have to be worn for a long time. You may have heard that braces take many years to straighten teeth and you’re not sure you want to commit to something that long-term.
- Solution: The time that each patient will be required to wear braces varies. For adults it can sometimes take longer than it does for children to get the teeth into proper alignment. Either way, the timeframe you will wear your braces typically ranges from one to three years. After the orthodontist evaluates your teeth, he can give you a general idea of the timeframe of your treatment. The type of treatment you choose can also affect the length of treatment. But, in the grand scheme of things, what’s a few years compared to a lifetime of straight, healthy teeth? The benefits outweigh the cost.
Orthodontics for All Ages
Greater Hartford Orthodontics serves patients of all ages from children to adults. Dr. Cos and staff provide a full range of services to address a wide variety of different orthodontic needs. Dr. Cos has the knowledge and expertise to evaluate each patient’s teeth and bite pattern to design an individualized course of treatment to correct the specific issues of that patient.
Call (860) 667-8277 today to make an appointment at Greater Hartford Orthodontics or click here to contact us.
While there are numerous solutions for straightening your teeth, metal braces are still the most popular choice. Yet many people are nervous about getting braces, as they do not know exactly what to expect. Here are the top 7 braces questions and answers.
1. What Are My Options?
Invisalign, billed as “the clear alternative to braces,” is one of the most common options. Other possibilities include self-ligating braces and clear braces. We will carefully evaluate your mouth and make a professional recommendation, but in many cases, which solution to choose is up to you.
2. At What Age Should My Child Get Braces?
We recommend that all children have an early orthodontics screening at seven years of age. This lets us evaluate the emerging teeth and perform any needed preventive treatments to give the teeth the best chance of coming in straight. Despite these preventive measures, though, children may still need braces. There is no “perfect age,” as each child is unique. For most kids, though, braces are placed between the ages of 10 and 14, depending on growth and tooth eruption rates.
3. How Long Does Treatment Last?
Braces treatment normally lasts from one to three years depending on the complexity of the orthodontic issues. You can minimize your treatment length by carefully following all instructions, wearing all devices as directed, keeping all appointments, and maintaining excellent oral hygiene.
4. Should Adults Get Braces?
Adults comprise approximately 20% of all braces wearers. As long as your teeth are healthy, braces can correct problems with your bite and give you decades of beautiful, straight teeth that are easy to clean.
5. Are Braces Just for Looks?
Most people who choose braces are primarily seeking a more aesthetic smile, but there are also important oral health reasons to get braces. A problematic bite can cause jaw pain when chewing and increase the risk for TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder). Crooked or gapping teeth can also be difficult to keep clean, raising your risk for gum disease and tooth decay. Braces correct these problems, improving your oral health.
6. Are Braces as Bad as They Used to Be?
Thanks to new technology, braces have evolved quickly over the past few years. Today’s metal brackets are far smaller than they once were, and brackets are now available in clear, tooth-color, and even bold fashion colors. Smart wires and brackets make treatment more efficient, more comfortable, and faster, while heat-activated wires reduce the pain of adjustments.
7. How Can I Calm My Child’s Fear of Getting Braces?
It’s tough to be a kid, and even tougher to be a kid with braces. Let your child have the time she needs to warm up to the idea. Gently remind her that many kids wear braces and that this is a short-term way to gain significant benefits for the rest of her life. If she knows anyone with braces, encourage her to ask lots of questions. Like adults, kids do best when they have plenty of information and support.
Ready to Get Started?
If you need braces or Invisalign in the Greater Hartford area, contact Greater Hartford Orthodontics today at 860-667-8277 to schedule your initial evaluation.
Retainers are an important part of orthodontic treatment. They are often worn after the patient has his or her braces removed. Without retainers, your all of the work that you put into your braces may be ruined. Here is what you should know about retainers after braces.
What Do Retainers Do?
Retainers hold the position of your teeth after braces are removed. Braces apply a lot of pressure to move your teeth into the proper position. Once they are removed, your teeth could quickly spread back to where they were without assistance. Retainers are used to hold your teeth where your braces put them, which requires less pressure than your braces used. Retainers are also temporary and can be removed without special equipment.
Why Retainers Matter
The process of straightening your teeth involves applying an immense amount of pressure on your teeth so they move into position and your gums start to grow around them to support them. That pressure has to be relieved at some point, which is when your braces are removed. Your mouth needs time to grow enough support for your teeth to keep them in place, which means you will need to keep the pressure on them. Otherwise, your teeth will drift apart.
Retainers are important because they allow your teeth to permanently set in the right position. Under the pressure that your braces create, they can’t fully heal in place. By removing that pressure your teeth can adjust and heal fully. The retainer just makes sure that they are where they need to be during the final healing process.
Correct Other Issues
Retainers also help correct a range of other issues. For example, children with speech impediments have been able to address them by wearing retainers. Retainers change the overall shape of your mouth and you have to learn how to talk with them in. Retainers can also help with breathing problems as they apply pressure to the soft palate, which can change the way that you breathe.
Time Limits
Retainers are often worn for hours each day, and work best when those hours are continuous. In most cases, dentists recommend wearing a retainer overnight. This method makes sense since you will likely be asleep for many hours at a time. However, it is possible and can be recommended that you wear your retainer during the day as well. It is important to stick to your dentist’s recommendations. Any deviation from it could lead to problems with your teeth later.
Care Instructions
While most retainers are slightly different, they all have similar care instructions. The care instructions are very similar to braces, so the adjustment is pretty easy. They come with a case to keep it in when you are not using it. You have to brush your retainer daily to keep it clean. You also have to avoid certain drinks when it is in, and you should remove it when you eat. If you take good care of it, it will last you the entire time that you need it.
If you need a quality retainer, reach out to a qualified dentist who can help you get fitted for one. Proper care and maintenance will have your teeth looking great and reduce the need for a retainer. If you need braces or Invisalign in the Greater Hartford area, contact Greater Hartford Orthodontics today at 860-667-8277 to schedule your initial evaluation.
Although many people are now turning to Invisalign or other solutions such as clear or lingual braces, metal braces remain tremendously popular. Yet you may wonder exactly what getting braces will be like. Here is what you should know.
The Right Age for Braces
We recommend an initial orthodontics screening around your child’s 7th birthday. This lets us evaluate the teeth as they begin to emerge and take preventive measures to help them come in straight. In many cases, this early intervention is enough, but other kids will still need braces. Depending on individual tooth eruption and growth rate, we typically place braces when the child is between 10 and 14 years old.
It is never too late for braces, though, as long as you have healthy teeth. We have placed lots of braces on older teenagers and adults. In fact, roughly 20% of all people who wear braces are adults. Braces can correct problems with your bite and improve your smile, no matter how long ago your permanent teeth came in.
Reasons for Braces
Aesthetic issues are among the top reasons that people choose to get braces. There is certainly nothing wrong with wanting to improve the look of your smile. Along with this, though, straight teeth are also vital for your oral health. Misaligned teeth can cause jaw pain and can even lead to TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder), which can be bad enough to interfere with chewing. In addition, straight teeth are much easier to clean, lowering your risk for tooth decay and gum disease.
Treatment Length
You or your child might wear braces for as little as one year or as long as three years, depending on individual needs. To minimize your length of treatment, be sure to keep all appointments, wear all devices as directed, and follow a perfect oral hygiene routine. Still, since every mouth is unique, your length of treatment could vary significantly from that of your friend.
Modern Braces
Braces can never be considered pleasant, but advances in orthodontic technology have vastly improved the braces experience in the past few years. Modern metal brackets are far smaller than they once were, and you can get clear or tooth colored brackets, or even brackets in fashion colors, if desired. Heat-activated wires are gentler on teeth, making adjustments far less painful than they used to be. Smart brackets and wires are more comfortable and more efficient, and they may shorten the total length of treatment.
Calming Kids’ Fears
It’s tough to be a preteen or a teenager, and some kids panic at the thought of getting braces. Give your child plenty of time to adapt to the idea rather than pushing to start treatment right away. Remind her that many kids wear braces, and that treatment is a short-term way to gain benefits that will last a lifetime. If your child knows someone who already wears braces, encourage her to ask lots of questions. Like adults, children generally adapt better when they have plenty of information to rely on.
Ready to Get Started?
If you need braces or Invisalign in the Greater Hartford area, contact Greater Hartford Orthodontics today at 860-667-8277 to schedule your initial evaluation.
Braces have been the treatment of choice for straightening teeth for over a century. Newer options such as Invisalign are gaining traction, but braces remain incredibly popular. Unfortunately, braces can cause some minor oral trouble. Here are some common problems with braces and how to fix them.
Soreness
It is common to feel some soreness for three to five days after getting new braces, and again for a few hours after each adjustment. Relieve tender spots by dissolving a teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water and rinsing vigorously. Unless contraindicated, you can also take an over the counter pain reliever such as Advil or Tylenol, and use a topical medication such as Orajel.
If your braces cause irritation of your lips, tongue, cheeks, or gums, try using some wax to reduce rubbing. We will teach you how to properly apply it.
Broken Bracket
We use durable dental cement to bond braces to your teeth, but it is not unusual for an individual bracket to come loose, especially when biting into something sticky or hard. This will not hurt your tooth or the braces, but the bracket will need to be re-secured. If the bracket completely falls off, put it in a safe spot and bring it to your repair appointment. If it is still connected to the arch wire, use wax to reduce mouth irritation and leave it where it is. Make an appointment to see us as soon as possible.
Loose Band
A loose band will also require an appointment as soon as possible. If it is still in place, leave it alone. If it comes out, keep it in a safe place until your repair appointment.
Poking Wire
If you feel a wire poking you, it has likely shifted to one side. Look in the mirror and use a pair of tweezers to gently slide it back into position. If it appears to be centered or you are unable to move it, apply wax to minimize irritation or gently bend it back with a pencil eraser. Schedule an emergency appointment if the wire causes major mouth soreness, or tell us about the problem at your next scheduled visit.
Popped Wire
You can generally push a popped wire back into place with tweezers. If you can’t move it, use wax to reduce mouth irritation. You can also use a pair of small, sterilized fingernail clippers to cut the wire behind the last tooth where it is still bonded. If all or most of the wire popped, make an emergency appointment. Otherwise, tell us about the issue at your next scheduled appointment.
Braces are a wonderful way to straighten your teeth, but they can cause minor mouth problems. Follow the advice above, and always give us a call if you have any questions or are not sure what to do.
Ready to Get Started?
If you need braces or Invisalign in the Greater Hartford area, contact Greater Hartford Orthodontics today at 860-667-8277 to schedule your initial evaluation.
At first, it might seem impossible to brush your teeth if you have braces. How are you supposed to reach your teeth with all those large brackets in front of it? Brushing your teeth is extremely important when you wear braces, as you don’t want food particles to get stuck. Here are some tips you can use to brush your teeth effectively with braces.
Rinse Out Your Mouth with Water
Before you do anything, rinse your mouth out thoroughly with water. You’d be surprised by how many food particles can be dislodged by this simple, often overlooked step. It’s a good idea to rinse out your mouth regularly to see if the easy to remove particles will shift.
Brush Your Gum Line at a 45° Angle
You should try to brush your gum line first, at a 45° angle. This will stimulate your gums and remove any biofilm that has started to build up around the bottom of your teeth. It can be more difficult to brush the front of your teeth, but you should have an easy time brushing your gums. Just be sure to brush softly, as you don’t want to irritate your gums.
Brush Each Bracket
Next, you’ll want to gently brush each and every bracket individually to make sure you remove as much as you can. You’ll want to work on the top and bottom of the bracket separately. You don’t want to pull on the bracket or wires, as you don’t want to damage it. Take your time as you brush your braces. You don’t want to rush the process and accidentally damage your braces or teeth.
Use a Flosser or Waterpik
It is still important to floss every day, even if you have braces and flossing seems extremely difficult. You can talk with your orthodontist or dental hygienist on the best flossing techniques you can use now that you have braces. Some people find it easier to use a floss threader or a small brush to get into the crevices.
You may also consider a water flosser or a waterpik. Many dental providers recommend water flossers for their patients with braces, as it can easily remove plaque from hard to reach places. However, remember that there is a learning curve to using a waterpik. It may take you several tries to get used to operating one on yourself. This doesn’t mean it isn’t worth learning how to do. Just remember that a water flosser is in addition to brushing your teeth properly, it doesn’t replace it.
Having braces might make brushing your teeth seem more daunting. However, it is an extremely important part of your oral hygiene routine. If you have questions about how to brush your teeth with braces or need to make an appointment, call Greater Hartford Orthodontics at 860-667-8277.