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Tri-City News Wednesday, April 16, 2014, A19
National Oral Health Month
The right time for braces Orthodontic braces are used to help position and align an individual’s teeth. Getting braces is something that is typically seen as a rite of childhood. But many parents are unsure as to when their children should be fitted for braces. Although many children benefit the most from getting braces between the ages of 10 and 15, Dentists advise that children should get their first orthodontic screening by the age of seven, when there may be a mixture of permanent and juvenile teeth in the child’s mouth. The orthodontist may be able to forecast any future problems that may arise and note if there are any preliminary steps that can be taken. Even though many children wait until adolescence to get braces, and most doctors will want to monitor kids’ oral structure as they grow, familiarity with a child’s mouth enables an orthodontist to act when the time is right. Some orthodontists work to remedy an overbite or underbite, and they also may address spacing issues. How braces work Braces straighten teeth by putting steady pressure on the teeth to help shift the teeth into correct position. The orthodontist will determine how long to keep the braces on. As the teeth shift, the wires that are part of the braces will be cut and adjusted accordingly. Teeth that require extra help may necessitate the use of specialized headgear to impart extra pressure on the mouth. Today’s braces are much less noticeable than those of yesteryear. Some braces are smaller in profile, and there are clear varieties and those that are placed behind the teeth. The wires used in braces also have changed. They are smaller and more technologically advanced to help straighten teeth faster and easier. Living with braces Braces will require some alterations to a child’s diet as well as his or her oral hygiene routine. Sticky foods or ones with small particles that tend to lodge between the teeth should be avoided as much as possible. Chewing gum can be exceptionally troublesome. Sticky candies may get stuck, and you could pull off brackets trying to unlodge the candy.
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“Flossing” from page A-18
Keeping teeth clean also will require a few extra steps. Because of the small parts and crevices braces create in the mouth, food can lodge in areas more easily. If left that way, one could end up with tooth decay. It is adviseable to use specially designed floss brushes and picks to clean the teeth and dislodge any trapped particles. Also, continue with routine dental cleanings as scheduled. After braces At the time braces are removed, most patients are fitted for a retainer that will be worn at certain periods of the day (usually at night) to help keep teeth aligned properly. It is important to continue to use the retainer as advised by the orthodontist to help prevent teeth from shifting or becoming crooked once more. Braces are a necessity for thousands of people. They’re generally applied during the preteen years, but younger children as well as adults have used braces successfully.
Braces are often an important component of oral health. The average age for getting braces is between 10 and 15 years of age. However, parents should take kids to see an orthodontist when permanent teeth start coming in.
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on hand, whether at home or when you go on vacation. • Let kids choose. Take kids down the dental aisle at the store and let them pick and choose which products they want to use. They may be more excited to brush and floss if they’re using something they picked out themselves. • Lead by example. Children will be more likely to floss if they see their parents flossing. That means adults should floss regularly and let their children watch and learn. Benefits of flossing Removing bacteria and trapped food from teeth has a number of benefits. Bacteria can cause bad breath, but flossing and brushing helps to keep breath smelling fresh. Children may be more inclined to floss if they know they’ll be preventing cavities and avoiding potentially painful trips to the dentist. Plaque trapped between the teeth and along the gum line that leads to periodontal disease puts a person at a greater risk for heart disease. There are some studies that show bacteria from the mouth can end up in the bloodstream. Flossing is a necessary component of good oral hygiene. Everyone should floss, no matter their age, and children should begin flossing as soon as their mouth starts to fill out with pearly whites.
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Certified Specialist in Orthodontics
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