Am I Too Old For Braces?

Too old for braces? The answer is definitely, “No.” Maybe you find yourself in a new season where considering your teeth and jaw alignment can be a priority. Do you refuse to show your teeth when you smile? Have you put off the idea of braces because you’re afraid of how they will look?

Braces and various orthodontic treatments aren’t exclusive to the tweens or teens. They are also available for adults. With today’s technology, there are options for straightening teeth that are almost invisible when you smile.

Invisible Options

Here are two possibilities that Akridge Orthodontics offers that most adults prefer:

Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are made up of clear materials that will blend with the color of your teeth. However, oral hygiene is important to protect these more brittle braces. Because of their delicate nature, ceramic braces are most often only used on the upper front teeth.

“Invisible” Braces
Akridge offers Invisalign® appliances, which straighten your teeth using a series of removable aligners. They are comfortable, with no metal rubbing in your mouth, and no one will even know you are wearing them because they are invisible! The removability option allows you to eat whatever you desire, and there are no complications with brushing and flossing.

Consider This
Many adults don’t realize how quickly they can change their smile and adjust the overall health of their mouth and jaw. Studies have shown there are even times when teeth straightening can reduce headaches and migraines.* Even at age 40, there is a good chance you could have your teeth another 50 years, so why not invest in your smile.

Maybe these are your questions:
How long is the process to straight teeth?
Are my teeth and gums in a good spot for braces?
What care or extra care will my teeth require?
How often will my braces need to be checked/adjusted?

We at Akridge Orthodontics would love to answer your questions, walk you through the options and find the best fit for you. Our initial evaluation is FREE. So come in and let’s talk about the next step of uncovering that beautiful smile. Get a FREE consultation at either of our convenient locations in Middletown and Campbellsville.

*International Center for Nutritional Research, Inc. “Dental/Migraine Connection”

Four Steps to Keeping Braces Clean

Braces aim to meet the goal of a healthy and beautiful smile, but getting there can sometimes be an uphill battle. This is especially true when it comes to keeping your teeth and gums clean in the process.

Besides avoiding sugary drinks and sticky candies, here are a few ways to keep your teeth and gums in good shape while having braces.

  1. Find the right angle. To gently clean the surface of your teeth and maintain strong gums, angle your toothbrush over and under the bracket. Scrub gently. Consider watching yourself in the mirror to make sure you cover as much of the tooth surface as possible.
  2. Take your floss behind the scenes. Your floss now requires a partner, a floss-threader. Nowadays, there are even some floss brands that have the floss-threader built in, which simplifies this process. The floss-threader allows your floss to go under your braces and remove excess build-up, especially after eating. Floss underneath each bracket as well as in between your teeth to keep from developing cavities.
  3. Consider an interdental-brush solution. Normal brushing and flossing can only do so much. However, a new tool that might come in handy while having braces is an interdental brush. This type of brush has a narrow head and makes it easy to brush underneath brackets and between teeth.
  4. Swish away those germs. Mouthwash can find its way in between tooth crevices that are unreachable with brushes and floss. Just an extra 30 seconds of swishing can go a long way to preserving a healthy mouth.

Have questions about your braces or considering where to begin the process? We at Akridge Orthodontics would love to answer your questions, walk you through the options and find the best fit for you.

Our initial evaluation is FREE. So come in and let’s talk about the next step of uncovering that beautiful smile. Get a FREE consultation at either of our convenient locations in Middletown and Campbellsville.

Keeping Summer Sweet with Braces

Days picnicking at the park, family vacations, and special occasions involve decadent desserts and sugary sodas. These summertime treats add up, and they could lead to tooth decay, especially with braces. How can something so yummy be harmful?

1. Sticky. Gum, taffy, caramel and other sticky candies can easily get stuck in braces and could cause something to come loose.
2. Crunchy. Chewing on ice or even crunching on hard candies could break a bracket.
3. Sugary. Sometimes sugary drinks can be the worst culprit because of the acidity and how it is sipped over the course of time. The acidity from the drink creates a domino effect of bacteria and remains on a child’s teeth. Within minutes this acidity is already breaking down enamel.

What’s a parent to do when all of this sweet summertime goodness? Instead of focusing on what your kids can’t have in the summer create some fun alternatives with what they can have.

• Family Water Challenge — Instead of drinking soda this summer, help your family create goals for how much water they could consume each day or even each week. Create rewards that involve water—like heading to your favorite swimming pool, going to a waterpark or having a fun sprinkler/water-fight day at your home.

• Snack Drawer — Pick out a drawer in your fridge/cabinet where your kids can store their healthy snacks. These snacks could include easy to eat fruits, veggies, yogurt, etc. Helping kids to see the options they do have could shift perspective from what they can’t have.

• Enjoy in Moderation — If it’s not too sticky or crunchy and wouldn’t hurt your child’s orthodontia work, then leave room for special moments. Having a soda or dessert when your child can brush and floss immediately afterward, will allow them to celebrate and also keep their teeth healthy.

For more info on increasing your smile in the summertime, contact Akridge Orthodontics.

Braces and Sports

Soccer mom, football dad, baseball parents; you are the ones who sit in the hot sun, huddle under umbrellas in the rain, and cheer on your kids in whatever they do. You are their biggest fans, and on-call nurses. But freeing a lip from a brace is never a fun task for a parent, and can be painful for your kid. While orthodontics has come a long way in adjusting to those with active lifestyles, there are still a few precautions to be taken for kids with a more high-energy lifestyle. While having braces shouldn’t prohibit them from playing with friends, exploring the outdoors, or being active, we have a few tips for kids who participate in sports.

Orthodontic Mouth Guards

Think about the type of case you put on your smart phone, each person’s case suits their lifestyle. The bulky Otter box case is for active (or sometimes just accident-prone) people; mouth guards are the Otter box for your child’s smile. You and your child are working hard with us to ensure that when it is time to remove the braces, your kid’s smile is it’s best. Using a mouth guard is a great way to protect those precious teeth. These mouth guards are different than regular mouth guards, and not only protect teeth from impact, but provide a buffer between your inner lip and the metallic brackets. Unlike regular mouth guards, they do not fit as snug to the teeth, so if a lip gets hit, the brackets won’t get stuck in the guard (trust us, it happens!) It is also important to use an orthodontic guard as opposed to a traditional one because your child’s teeth will be moving and changing on a regular basis. Traditional mouth guards are made to be form fitting and cannot adjust as your child’s teeth move. These guards are perfect for high-impact sports like football, basketball, soccer, and wrestling.

Wax

This is a secondary method of protecting your child’s soft gums from the metal brackets. A great option for afternoons at the park playing catch, running around, and just letting your kid be a kid. The great thing about dental wax is you can keep extra in the car, put it in your child’s backpack, and keep it on hand. Parents develop a sixth sense for accidents. When you take your child to the park and your parental senses start tingling, add the wax. Dental wax is safe if accidentally swallowed, easy to remove and apply, and creates a smooth buffer over the brackets that is almost invisible. Your child’s friends may not even notice the wax has been applied!

Having braces doesn’t have to keep your child from doing what they love. If you have questions on if getting an orthodontic guard is right for your child, be sure to schedule a visit to go over the details of what kind of sports your child participates in, and we can find the right fit.

Tips for Keeping Braces Clean

Having braces requires frequent maintenance and attention. No doubt you have probably seen the slightly frightening pictures of people who finally get their braces removed, only to have their teeth stained around each bracket, like removing old pictures from a wall. This happens when the braces and teeth were not properly cleaned, and is easy to avoid by using some of these helpful steps.

On-the-Go

When wearing braces, it is important to brush three times a day (after every meal!). This may seem a little excessive, but anyone who has experienced the embarrassing moment of getting ready for bed and noticing a piece of spinach from lunch still hanging on one of their front teeth knows that cleaning after meals is worth it. Keep a travel toothbrush always in your pocket, backpack, or purse, and if you have room, keep this recommended kit with you on hand:

  • Small mirror
  • Travel mouthwash
  • Travel toothbrush
  • Interproximal (Christmas Tree) brush
  • Floss

Don’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

We know you or your kid miss biting into apples, eating popcorn, hard candies, and not having to worry about having pieces of cilantro stuck in a front brace. But aside from avoiding certain foods that are more prone to either damaging or getting stuck in braces, eating smaller bites can help you focus on using your back molars so chewing with front teeth is kept to a minimum.

Let’s be honest, braces are just a stepping stone towards you and your future smile. We know that you work hard to always wear your bands, come in for regular appointments, and do all you can to speed up the process. But amidst all this we hope you don’t forget to “embrace” your smile. You work hard to keep your teeth sparkling, so just don’t forget to show it off!