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Newsletter from Dr. Mike
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January 2006
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A New Year is here
again, and there's no better time to
talk about home care for the child with
braces. We all know brackets, bands and archwires
make it doubly difficult to keep your teeth clean.
With that in mind, this month's newsletter is devoted
to helpful tips that will make it easier for you to have
sparkling teeth - and to speed your treatment to its
conclusion.
Let's get started!
Dr.Mike
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Steer Clear of Risky Foods
Chewing ice, gum, caramels, unpopped popcorn
kernels, taco chips, sticky candy (think Jolly
Ranchers), nuts, ribs, suckers and hard pizza crust
will pop your appliances off in a hurry. Avoiding these
foods will keep your 'hardware' protected - and keep
you out of the repair chair. Also be careful of crusty
bread, hard raw fruits and vegetables, beef jerky and
corn on the cob - they should be cut in small pieces
(or off the cob) before you eat them, or beware of
the consequences! Risky foods are often the ones
we want the most, so curbing your cravings is an
exercise in restraint. Remember, you can do it!
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Get the Right Tools
Cleaning your braces calls for some
specialized and
highly developed gear. Back in the day, we used to
clean our braces with a plain old toothbrush -
and flossing was a chore! Now we have every
advantage in the tool department for really getting
clean teeth. Electric toothbrushes, floss threaders,
pre-cut sections of floss, fluoride solutions and the
proxy brush have changed the way you brush - and
the way we educate our patients about cleanliness.
If you haven't heard, the proxy brush is basically a
small baby-bottle brush that's used to get behind the
archwire and clean brackets where other brushes
can't reach. The brush itself is replaceable. If you
aren't using the right tool, your teeth may not be as
clean as possible! Ask us if you need more
information.
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Avoid Sugar, Use Fluoride
I know, I'm back on my soapbox again. It's just that
sugar does more than cause tooth decay and
cavities. When you're wearing braces, it can do
something else that is at least as serious. If you
don't clean your teeth often, sugar can do damage
around the bracket itself and create a white spot in
your tooth that exists long after we remove your
braces. This white spot is decalcified. That means
that acid formed from sugar and bacteria started the
decay process around your bracket. While this
certainly doesn't happen to every patient, those who
drink more than their share of sodas are at risk.
Brushing, flossing, using your proxy brush and a
fluoride gel will help prevent this entirely avoidable
problem. It's all about how you take care of yourself!
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Stay Caught Up on Check-Ups
Just because you have braces, don't think that
regular cleanings aren't important. You've made a big
investment in your teeth by having Orthodontic
treatment. Take the extra step and have your teeth
professionally cleaned every four to six months. No
amount of brushing and peering into your child’s
mouth can take the place of your child’s preventive
exam and cleaning. This is one of the biggest
benefits to having us provide both your child’s
orthodontic and preventive care. We are watching
for and working to prevent decay, every step of the
way.
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See You next Month!
No matter what the month, your child’s health is the
most important thing they will ever possess. It is
paramount to them enjoying a long and happy life,
and oral health as well as a beautiful smile play an
important role. Be sure to take care of your children
and yourself. We’ll see you in February.
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