orthodontic treatment

October is Orthodontic Health Month

We’re super excited over here at Lakewood Park Orthodontics for our favorite month of the year; October is Orthodontic Health Month! To us, orthodontics encompasses more than just putting brackets on teeth. Through orthodontics we bring confidence, health and joy to our patients. To help give someone the confidence to smile (a real, big smile) is irreplaceable. This confidence extends into our patients daily lives and enables them to feel comfortable with who they are. So yah, Orthodontic Health Month is a big deal around here ;)

There are many blog posts about the benefits of a straight, healthy smile (decreased risk of oral disease, tooth decay, injury, jaw problems, confidence…) this is not one of those posts.  If you’re reading this blog you likely have already researched the benefits or orthodontic treatment and are considering starting treatment. Today, I want to help you break down any barriers that are keeping you from moving toward your goal of a healthy, straight smile. So let’s discuss some common barriers that patients face when deciding to start treatment.

1. You don’t think you have time for appointments: It’s true, at the beginning of treatment, there is usually a longer appointment needed the day we put the braces on or get started with Invisalign. After the initial appointment you are usually in only every 6-8 weeks with braces and every 10 weeks with Invisalign. These appointments can easily be scheduled in advance in order to make sure they are convenient for your schedule. At Lakewood Park we also offer evening appointments on Tuesdays and Saturday morning appointments one Saturday a month. You are sure to find something that works with your schedule!
2. You don’t like the way braces look: Technological advances in orthodontics have come so far! Now we have clear aligners (like Invisalign) and ceramic braces that are just as effective as regular metal braces but with the advantage of being barely noticeable. Many adults and teens are taking advantage of these new technologies.
3. You think you are too old for braces: The number of adults pursuing orthodontic treatment is rising. In fact, it increased by 40% between 1989 and 2012. As of 2014 there were 1.4 million adults in orthodontic treatment and this number has likely risen. At Lakewood Park we have patients in there 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s! Adults are realizing the benefits of orthodontic treatment. A study conducted on behalf of the AAO found that 75% of adults who had orthodontic treatment reported improvements in career or personal relationships, which they attributed to their improved post-orthodontic smile. Citing their newfound self-confidence, 92% of survey respondents said they would recommend orthodontic treatment to other adults. Many of our adult patients were not motivated by the aesthetic benefits of treatment but for the health benefits that come along with a proper malocclusion (bite) like the ability to keep your teeth clean, prevent decay, recession and gum disease! (for them, a dazzling, straight smile is just an added bonus!) Whatever your reasons are for pursuing orthodontic treatment as an adult, know that you are in good company.

The benefits of orthodontic treatment are far reaching. Improving your smile can bring you a new found confidence that will last a lifetime (no matter what your age)! At Lakewood Park Orthodontics, we believe that the benefits of a healthy smile outweigh any of the barriers that might be holding you back.

What do you think? You’ve been considering it for long enough – it’s time to take the next step. Come in and ask your questions, confront your barriers and learn what treatment options are right for you at your free consultation. Call us at (508) 319 1545 or email us at smiles@lakwoodparkorthodontics.com

We hope to talk to you soon!

The day that braces come off is a day greatly anticipated by all orthodontic patients and orthodontists alike. It’s the day when both patient and doctor get to see the results of all of their hard work. Nothing can ruin this day quicker than discovering white spot lesions on the teeth.
White spot lesions, also called decalcifications and demineralizations, appear as white, chalky marks on the teeth. They are caused by dental plaque when acids created by the plaque remove minerals from the tooth surface changing the way the surface reflects light. The most common area for white spot lesions is between the gums and the brackets where brushing is most difficult. Many times white spots develop under swollen gum tissue making their detection difficult until after the braces are removed and swelling subsides. University studies have found that white spot lesions occur in 24% of adolescents who have never had braces. This number jumps to as high as 50% in teenagers with braces! Although braces DO NOT cause white spots on the teeth, they do complicate the removal of the plaque.
In order to prevent white spot lesions great oral hygiene is necessary, especially during orthodontic treatment. Removing plaque is the only sure way to prevent these stains. At Lakewood Park Orthodontics we begin oral hygiene coaching at the very first appointment. At the new patient consultation our treatment coordinator explains the importance of removing plaque and shows a video of how white spot lesions are formed. She describes which foods and drinks need to be avoided and encourages the use of a fluoridated toothpaste in order to harden the enamel surface. She also recommends using an electric toothbrush. By the end of the consultation both patients and parents know that white spot lesions are a possibility and how to prevent them.
When the braces are put on, our assistants go through proper brushing and flossing techniques with each patient. Patients are told to brush five times a day for two minutes and to floss once each day. During treatment, our assistants and Doctor Hughes reward good brushers with wooden nickels and give additional instruction to patients who are struggling. When they notice that oral hygiene needs to be improved they point it out to the patient and family immediately. Dr. Hughes has even removed braces early from some patients with severe problems.
If you have white spot lesion on your teeth when your braces come off, it’s reassuring to know that all white spots improve a little over time. Experts advise AGAINST applying extra fluoride during the first six months as it may seal the surface of the lesion and prevent remineralization below the surface. After six months, low concentration over-the-counter fluoride rinses can be applied. Remineralization pastes (like MI Paste) can also be used to repair the tooth. Bleaching has been shown to lighten the enamel surrounding white spot lesions. White spots then blend in better and actually improve as the effects of the bleaching wear off. For more severe problems, your dentist may perform microabrasion (removing superficial white spots), cosmetic bonding (replacing damaged enamel), or place porcelain veneers (covering badly damaged surfaces).
Since white spot lesions are caused by plaque the best prevention is keeping your teeth clean by practicing proper oral hygiene techniques. If you would like additional oral hygiene instruction ask Dr. Hughes or our assistants at your next appointment.
References:
Jorgensen Orthodontics http://www.gregjorgensen.com/blog/2013/08/do-orthodontic-braces-cause-white-spots-on-teeth/#sthash.rnKxgG5n.dpuf
Ora Media Dental Self-sufficiency http://mizar5.com/demin.htm

Thumb/finger sucking habits, particularly if they continue once the permanent teeth erupt, can cause significant orthodontic problems. The habit generally must persist 6 hours a day in order to have an impact on the dentition and skeletal structure. If not stopped, habits such as thumb sucking can lead to a significant open bite in the front of the mouth, a posterior (back) crossbite and an overjet ("overbite") that may lead to the need for extractions and/or orthognathic surgery. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children are seen by an orthodontist no later than age seven because there are certain malocclusions and habits that may benefit tremendously from early diagnosis and treatment.

There are several reasons for the changes in the bite due to a thumb habit. Finger/thumb sucking is an active habit and causes intrusive forces on the incisors, while at the same time leading to an altered posture of the jaw that allows posterior teeth to erupt. The active sucking habit also causes a width change in the maxilla and leads to a narrow and V-shaped maxillary arch with a crossbite sometimes occurring.

If your little one has a habit, don’t hesitate to call us and speak to Dr. Hughes. On your own, you can try many tried and true home remedies to stop a thumb habit:

Use a reward system. Pediatricians sometimes recommend a game-playing, reward-based system for helping kids stop sucking their thumbs. Try buying a calendar and placing it on the refrigerator. For each day you don't see the child sucking his or her thumb, you can put a smiley-face sticker on the day. At the end of a set period of time, say a month, you can offer a modest reward, such as a toy or dinner at the child's favorite restaurant.

Try ordeal therapy. How about trying a little reverse psychology? Point out to a thumb-sucking child that he or she isn't being fair to the other fingers -- so why not suck them, too? Give the child a timer and explain that it's important to suck all fingers for the same duration. Often, the child will grow so tired of the process that they quit thumb sucking altogether. The only problem with this type of approach is that kids are likely to see through it when it comes from a parent (they know the parent really wants them to stop altogether). If you suspect that this will be the case, a pediatrician or close friend of the family may be able to help.

Offer the child the option of thumb sucking in private. Consider your efforts a success if the child quits thumb sucking in front of you or in public. Don't worry, the relatively brief time a child can spend sucking on a thumb in private won't be long enough to cause other problems.

Never use negative reinforcement. If the child has a slip, it may be destructive to use a negative reward, such as placing a sad-faced sticker on a calendar date. Failure has a nasty way of perpetuating itself.

Try "reminder fluid." Although some doctors see it as cruel, others recommend the use of bad-tasting fluids that are put on the thumb to keep the child from putting it in his or her mouth. However, don't use this method as a punishment. Rather, stress the positive by telling the child that the fluid will help by serving as a reminder of his or her goal. As an alternative, parents can place a glove or mitten on the child's hand as a reminder to keep the thumb out of the mouth.

Start with the easy stuff, then move on. First, you might suggest that the child stop thumb sucking while in public, or some other time when he or she is most likely to comply. Then you can move on to the times when the habit is most ingrained, such as bedtime. You may want to double rewards if the child doesn't suck his or her thumb during the more challenging times.

Don't yell. Although you may feel frustrated when your child slides back into his or her thumb-sucking behavior, don't punish or yell at the child. You will only make him or her nervous and upset, which will probably lead to more thumb sucking.

Wait it out. You know what happens to most kids who suck their thumbs at four, five, or even six years of age? They stop. Parents often notice that children engage in the habit a bit less with each passing year, or perhaps only suck their thumbs at certain times, such as when they're tired or watching television. Pediatricians say that many children give up thumb sucking altogether by age six or seven because of peer pressure -- ribbing from friends and schoolmates shames them into stopping.

The good news is that even if the above suggestions do not work, the early treatment of a habit by Dr. Hughes is a fairly simple and pain free one. It involves the fabrication of a habit appliance once it has been determined that the patient is unable to stop the habit themselves.

Dr. Hughes is happy to share her knowledge and advice should any of you parents have a question or concern so don't hesitate to call us.