National Orthodontic Health Month Has Come
For a majority of people, October is their favorite time of the year. Thanks to events like Halloween and the approach of cool weather, it's hard not to love this month. However, did you know that orthodontists love October as well? That's because it marks the start of National Orthodontic Health Month.
Of course, not everyone knows about this national event, which is why orthodontists are trying to spread awareness. The goal is to educate people about what orthodontists do and to let them know that you are never too old to go to the orthodontist. In fact, out of the 4.5 million people who visit the orthodontist each year, roughly 25% of them are adults. Thus, orthodontic services aren't just for kids.
Since it's National Orthodontic Health Month, let's dive a bit deeper into this dental profession. Let's talk about how seeing an orthodontist in Florida and Maryland could help you achieve the smile that you've always wanted. If you're ready to see an orthodontist now, reach out to us to set up a consultation.
Learning More About What an Orthodontist Is
Before getting into all of the services that orthodontists offer, let's talk about what they are. In short, orthodontists are dental professionals who focus on the correction and diagnosis of imperfect teeth. This refers to not only aligning the teeth but also fixing imperfect bites. They achieve these goals using orthodontic tools, such as aligners and braces.
Improving More Than Just the Alignment of Your Teeth
There are a number of ways in which seeing an orthodontist can improve your life. There's the obvious way: improving your smile with straight teeth. However, you might not know that the proper alignment of your teeth can improve your overall health as well.
When your teeth aren't aligned properly, they can crowd together, making your teeth more difficult to clean. For many people, this leads to the development of gum disease and tooth decay. These types of problems can affect your overall health, not just your oral health. Studies show that gum disease can lead to heart attacks, strokes and diabetes.
On top of that, the misalignment of your teeth can give you an improper bite. This improper bite can lead to other issues, such as jaw misalignment, headaches and speech problems. As a result, there are a lot of issues that come with misaligned teeth.
What Are Some Orthodontic Treatment Options?
Orthodontists can go about straightening teeth in a few different ways. Most of the time, people think of the traditional way to straighten teeth: using braces. This is a tried-and-true method that works.
However, it's far from the only option. Orthodontists can also use clear aligners with which you have the ability to pull off and put on yourself. These orthodontic devices are designed to be taken off while you eat and clean your teeth. Other than that, you wear them all the time, including while you sleep.
Not sure if aligners or traditional braces are the right option for you? You don't have to decide on your own. When you see a Florida and Maryland orthodontist, you'll undergo an exam so that the orthodontist can let you know which options are the best for you. Then, you can carefully weigh the pros and cons to make an informed decision.
How to Care for Your Teeth After Orthodontic Treatment
Once you undergo orthodontic treatment, you have to continue to care for your teeth like you normally would. However, there are a few ways that you can tweak your oral health plan to ensure that you're caring for your teeth properly while wearing your orthodontic devices. To celebrate National Orthodontic Health Month, let's discuss a few ways that you can improve your oral health routine while wearing braces.
Watching What You Eat
For the most part, you can continue to eat the same things that you did without braces. However, there are a few foods that you might want to stay away from to make your life easier. For example, you might want to stay away from sticky foods, such as caramel, taffy, and bubble gum. Yes, this includes sugar-free gum. These foods can get stuck in your braces and become difficult to clean.
You may also want to limit the amount of crunchy foods that you eat. Peanuts, tortilla chips, and popcorn can easily get stuck in your braces. In addition, these crunchy foods can damage your braces.
Ask your orthodontist for a full list of foods that you should watch out for while you're wearing braces. If you have aligners, you have less to worry about because you can simply take them out when you eat.
Brushing After Every Meal
When you don't have braces, dentists recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice a day. However, it's best to brush your teeth after every meal when you have braces. That's because food easily gets caught in braces. Food caught in braces not only looks unsightly and can cause bad breath but also increases your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Thus, it's a good idea to start brushing more when you have braces.
If you have aligners, you'll want to brush your teeth before putting your aligners back on. Not brushing first allows the leftover food and bacteria on your teeth to fester and cause cavities.
Flossing Is Still Important
Many people often make the mistake of not flossing after getting braces. They may make this mistake because they think that they can't floss while they have braces. However, that's not true. You still need to floss! Special orthodontic floss is designed for people with braces, or you can use a water flosser.
Time to Give Us a Call
Are you ready to get braces and have the smile that you've always wanted? Whether or not it's October, give us a call. We're proud to offer orthodontic services in Florida and Maryland. We can provide orthodontic treatment at a price that you can afford.
