orthodontics Archives - Akridge Orthodontics

Take Advantage of Summer

July 28, 2016 By Matt Leave a Comment

First of all, be ahead of the rush and take hold of these last weeks of summer. Here is a perfect opportunity to check off another to-do-list item before school resumes and the list of extra-curricular activities increase—braces consultation.

At Akridge Orthodontics we offer a FREE consultation appointment for braces. This complimentary evaluation is nothing for your child to fear. It is completely painless and easy. We will take a quick look in their mouth to see if there is a need for braces. As we evaluate the situation, we will give you an idea of what the orthodontic process could look like for your family and which kind of dental appliances or braces will work best for your child. During your appointment, our friendly staff will chat with you, making sure all your questions are answered. To speed up this process bring this new patient form filled out with you.

With the daylight hours at their longest, you may find our mid-day times most convenient with your routine. Consequently, this will free your time for more afternoons and evenings outside at the pool.

Taking steps now, as we gear up for fall, will lend itself toward a stellar smile in no time. Dr. Matt will ensure to correct any issues with your child’s teeth in as short of a time period as possible.

Find one of our Kentucky locations that are convenient for you, whether that be Middletown, the Outer Loop or even in our Campbellsville office, and make an appointment for your free consultation. We look forward to creating bigger smiles for your family.

Keeping Summer Sweet with Braces

July 14, 2016 By Matt Leave a Comment

dreamstime_s_63113840 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

July 8, 2015 By Matt Leave a Comment

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.

Now Accepting Medicaid Patients

July 1, 2015 By Matt Leave a Comment

At Akridge, we care about each of our patients individually. We know the importance of receiving quality dental and orthodontic care, and how orthodontics can prevent tremendous discomfort in the future. Not everyone can afford orthodontic care on their own, and we are thankful for Medicaid bringing patients to us who otherwise wouldn’t be able to do so.

While many dentists and doctors accept Medicaid, it is not always the case that Orthodontists will. Orthodontics, to some, is still viewed as cosmetic, and as unessential to health. But our years of knowledge and study has shown that the Orthodontic practice, particularly the Alexander Discipline (link to that blog), can prevent great discomfort, unnecessary wear on teeth, chewing and digestive difficulties, gum disease, and more.

We are pleased to accept Medicaid patients and provide treatment that we feel is important for everybody. We love seeing you smile, and doing all we can to make that smile last. If you have Medicaid and would like to learn more about Orthodontic are for you or your children, contact Akridge Orthodontics today to schedule an appointment online.

Tips for Keeping Braces Clean

June 17, 2015 By Matt Leave a Comment

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!