Thursday, February 12, 2015

Orthodontic Elastics


Why, Oh WHY must I wear my orthodontic elastics 24/7?!

WELL – here’s the reason:  The 10 HOUR FORCE THEORY

It says that tooth movement will only happen after a special work area has been set up in your mouth. You can’t see this work area because it is under your gum tissue and all around the roots of your teeth. By wearing rubber bands for about 10 straight hours, the special work area has been fully formed and will allow the teeth to start moving. Once you stop wearing the elastics, your body will eliminate the work area and change everything back to normal.
 If you leave your elastics out for longer than it takes you to eat, you will need to restart the initial 10 hour set up time.  It is a misconception that you can just “build” upon previous hours put in. Patients that wear elastics only “half time” will see almost no progress at all.

So, if you want to get your braces off sooner, you will need maximum tooth movement. And that only happens with elastic wear 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. By doing it the right way, you have full control of your orthodontic treatment. 

Monday, February 2, 2015

Flossing with Braces


Let’s talk about flossing –YES – the dreaded subject. Why is it that even just the word “flossing” brings forth a feeling of automatic fatigue? Perhaps because it is in fact a time consuming practice. However, we believe that if we can fully understand the value and benefit in it, you will see to it that you make it a daily practice. We will also introduce you to the Platypus orthodontic flosser and we are convinced you will become an avid flosser with this wonderful tool!

Now, first things first, did you know that our             
gums hold plaque like a pocket can hold stuff?
When we leave plaque in our gums we are
essentially leaving our “gum pockets” full,
which eventually causes them to detach from the teeth.
Picture a fence post that is
held in place by dirt or cement. If the substance
that is anchoring the post begins to recede,
then eventually that post will become mobile
and eventually come out. Make sense?  

The devastating result with teeth is that once our gum and bone tissue have been dissolved away from the teeth, there is no re-attachment - it is simply gone.  When the gums start to melt away, this causes painful sensitivity  and in severe cases, loss of teeth. This is why flossing is imperative. We must make sure to empty out our gum pockets everyday just like we empty out the trash. There is only so much that can be held before a “breakdown” begins.  Not to mention the red, bubbling, bleeding when you brush, and bad odor when you speak - other side effects.

With braces, flossing is even harder to do because the floss hits the wires. But a special took is available for people with braces. It is called the Platypus orthodontic flossing tool.  

This nifty little tool makes flossing both easier and less time consuming! Check out
http://www.platypusco.com/