Selfies 101

Kelly Orthodontics

Selfies have been popular for years now…but do you know how to take the perfect one? At first it may have seemed a little ridiculous, all these people taking photos of themselves and posting them online. But did you know that taking selfies is a fantastic way to show off your personality and confidence…not to mention your Kelly Orthodontics smile?

Taking a selfie is an art form. A great selfie is more than just a quick camera click, it actually takes a level of skill to capture and edit the perfect picture. After some practice (using our tried-and-true techniques below) we know you will be a selfie master in no time at all.

5 Tips for the Perfect Selfie

1. Have Expression. You can never go wrong with smiling…but don’t fake it. Think about something that really does make you smile. Pull out a wonderful memory, relive it, and we promise that you’re going to have a beautiful facial expression in your selfie. Play around with different smiles and expressions and have fun! No matter what, a smile is the best expression you can wear.  
2. Capture Your Best Angle. We all have a particular side or angle that we feel looks much better in selfies. If you haven’t yet found yours, try moving the phone around your face and snapping a ton of photos. Instead of taking pictures head-on, turn your head a little to the right or left, or hold your camera a little higher…try different angles to show off your best features. Then pick the photos that you like most and remember the way you placed the phone and the way you turned your face. 
3. Focus on Lighting. Lighting is everything. They say that taking selfies using natural light is great. But the truth is that sometimes the rays can be too harsh on the face, so avoid snapping a shot during midday. You can always find a light source inside, just make sure that it’s not located behind you and that there are no shadows on your face. 
4. Show Off Something New. If you decide to take a selfie to show off something new, like…oh we don’t know, maybe your braces, make sure that you frame the photo in a way that highlights the new accessory that has you so excited. 
5. Don't Use a Mirror. Just stretch your arm out, point the camera toward your face and click. You can use your front facing camera to make it easier!

Ok, now you’re ready! Upload those selfies to all of your feeds…Instagram, Facebook, anywhere and everywhere. Are you a patient of Kelly Orthodontics? Then tag us in your selfies, we would love to see your smiling faces!

 

 

5 Reasons to Love Your Braces

Kelly Orthodontics

Your braces are an investment in your smile, your health, and your overall well-being. Braces can transform your teeth, give you a more comfortable bite, and give you a beautiful smile that will boost your confidence.

Braces can solve almost any orthodontic issue. Braces are customized to suit your needs and can help to improve a wide range of orthodontic issues. Whether you have a crossbite, crowding, or an overbite, braces treatment can help. Therefore, if you would really like to straighten your teeth, braces are your best option.

Braces enhance your natural teeth. Rather than covering your smile with veneers, braces can fix your natural teeth. Not to mention, braces are cheaper than most of these transformative cosmetic dentistry procedures.

Straight teeth are healthy teeth. Braces don’t just enhance your smile; they can improve your oral health too. Straight teeth are easier to clean. When your teeth are easier to brush and floss, you are less likely to develop cavities or infections. Oral health problems like worn enamel, gum recession, and side effects of grinding and clenching your teeth are also eliminated when teeth are shifted into proper alignment with braces.

Braces can be discrete. If you would like to avoid the metal brackets on your teeth, you have options. For example, Ceramic braces, work like metal braces…only better. Ceramic braces blend in with your teeth for a great look. You’ll be able to straighten your teeth without anyone noticing.

The results are incredible! With braces, you can get the beautiful straight smile you’ve always wanted. Not to mention, having straighter teeth can improve your facial profile, align your jaw, and fix your bite…drastically improving your appearance.

Remember, braces are temporary. If you want to learn more about how braces can improve your smile, call Kelly Orthodontics to schedule an appointment. From conventional metal braces to Invisalign Dr. Kelly and his team have you covered!

 

Handle Your Retainer with Care

Kelly Orthodontics

Like most patients at Kelly Orthodontics, you are probably counting down the days until you get your braces off. It’s no question that when that day comes, it will be exciting. But…it is important to remember that just because your braces have been removed, that doesn’t mean your orthodontic treatment is over.

Retainers will need to be worn following the removal of your braces to prevent the teeth from shifting. It is vital to follow Dr. Kelly’s instructions carefully after you have had your orthodontic treatment completed to ensure long-standing results.

Unfortunately, braces do not guarantee that your orthodontic treatment results will be permanent. In fact, teeth have a natural tendency to move back into their original place after the forces holding them have been removed. Without a retainer, it is likely that the teeth will go back to their prior misalignment shortly after having your braces removed. A retainer helps to keep your teeth aligned until they have set firmly into place.

Retainer use will continue indefinitely. The amount of time that you must spend wearing your retainer will depend on how long it has been since you had your braces removed. In most situations, you will be required to wear your retainer as often as possible for the first 3 to 6 months after your braces have been removed. After this, it is recommended that you wear your retainer nightly for the next 1 to 3 years. Failing to wear your retainer for a day or two won’t cause significant issues but failing to wear your retainer for extended periods of time will cause your teeth to move out of alignment.

There two main types of retainers and our team will discuss the best solution for retaining the alignment of your teeth with you.

Removable Retainers – These are retainers that you can remove and store when they are not in your mouth. This kind of retainer is often much easier to keep clean, because you can remove your retainer whenever you eat or brush your teeth. Removable retainers allow you to be more efficient with your oral hygiene routine. However, the main drawback to removable retainers is that you must remember to wear it according to Dr. Kelly’s specifications. Removable retainers are also easier to lose and damage, because they can be taken out of your mouth and misplaced.

Fixed Retainers - A fixed retainer is adhered to the teeth in much the same way as your braces. Fixed retainers consist of a thin wire that is positioned and bonded to the back surface of your teeth. Fixed retainers effective at keeping the teeth in place, but they can be more difficult to keep clean.

It is important to keep your retainer clean and in good condition. Remember to rinse your removable retainer in cold water before and after use. If you have a fixed retainer, you will need to follow the same processes to clean it as you did with braces. Store your removable retainer in a plastic case whenever it is not in your mouth. You will also need to wash your retainer with a specialized cleaner every few months.

At Kelly Orthodontics, we are passionate about your smile. To learn more about how to keep your smile straight and beautiful, visit our website or give one of our friendly and knowledgeable team members a call.

 

 

Are You Suffering From a TMJ Disorder?

Kelly Orthodontics

As a Certified Specialist in Orthodontics, Dr. Dan Kelly doesn’t just make amazing looking smiles, he also deals with the bite as a whole…including the jaw. If you touch your face right in front of your ear while opening and closing your jaw, you will feel your temporomandibular joint at work. When your temporomandibular joint working as it should, you can yawn or take a big bite of your favorite food without thinking twice. When your temporomandibular joint is off, yawning and opening your mouth wide can cause serious pain.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a joint that connects the lower jaw to the temporal bone on either side of the face. The temporomandibular joint is capable of both hinge and sliding motions, allowing us to shift the jaw side to side and forward and back to do things like chew, yawn, and talk.

While people often refer to problems with the joint as TMJ, that is the name for the joint itself and TMJ pain is actually a TMJ disorder and part of a larger category of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). TMD involves the temporomandibular joint or its associated structures, such as the discs, muscles, cartilage, and ligaments.

The most common TMD symptoms include:

• Popping, clicking, or a grating sensation when you open and close your mouth 
• Pain and tenderness in the jaw, face, neck, or shoulders 
• A decrease in jaw mobility leading to trouble opening the mouth fully 
• Muscle spasms around the jaw 
• Frequent headaches, earaches, pressure, and pain behind the eyes

If TMD is left untreated, it can lead to inflammation, swelling, or chronic pain. It can also contribute to progressive dental problems, such as premature tooth wear and periodontal disease.

Treatment of TMJ disorders depends on the cause. Custom nightguards or oral splints can be an excellent way to get relief without medication. If TMD is due to malocclusion or an imbalance in bite forces, braces or Invisalign can align the teeth and jaws, which repositions the TMJ and surrounding structures.

There are other issues that can cause the symptoms most experienced with TMD, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and even medical conditions like arthritis. That’s why it’s important to receive a proper diagnosis and the appropriate treatment from experienced orthodontist like Dr. Kelly. If you’ve been experiencing any of the symptoms associated with TMD, give Kelly Orthodontics a call. 

 

Straight Teeth Matter

Kelly Orthodontics

The benefit of straight teeth is not only for aesthetics. Straight teeth provide more than a great smile.

For starters, straight teeth are easier to clean. When teeth are rotated and overlapped, more nooks and crannies exist where plaque bacteria can build up. Even with proper brushing and flossing, some areas may be difficult to clean and will have a higher risk of forming a cavity. Straighter teeth allow for easier cleaning and lower cavity risk.

Just like how misaligned teeth can cause cavities, they can also result in gum disease. Because misaligned teeth are more difficult to keep clean, the build-up of plaque bacteria can cause gum inflammation that may potentially lead to gingivitis and periodontitis. Also, gum recession can occur in areas with crowding due to difficulty with brushing.   

Even if your front teeth appear straight, there can be a problem with your bite. Added wear of teeth, chipping of teeth, and teeth grinding are very common problems when an improper bite is present. Jawbone and joint problems can also develop, leading to breakdown of the bones that support your teeth as well as TMJ pain, headaches, and migraines. All of this can make it difficult to talk and chew food efficiently and comfortably.

The most notable benefit of straight teeth is the improvement to facial aesthetics. Teeth in proper alignment look nice when talking and smiling. When teeth are crooked or the bite is off, it can change the shape of the face. Teeth with extreme overbite can make the lower jaw and chin look unpronounced, and underbite can make the chin look overly pronounced.

The benefits of straight teeth and jaw alignment are truly important to your overall well-being. If you are interested in straightening your teeth or have any questions about options, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment. At Kelly Orthodontics, our team can develop a plan to help you get straight teeth and ensure a healthy bite is achieved.

 

10 Tips to a Healthy Smile

Kelly Orthodontics

Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you and for many people, an ideal smile is a mouth full of pearly white, perfectly aligned teeth. It’s not a bad goal to have, but in addition to straight white teeth, you need to make sure that your smile is a healthy one.

1. Brush your Teeth Twice a Day

Brushing removes leftover food particles that can bond with saliva to form plaque. These particles feed the bacteria that naturally live in our mouths and these bacteria can eat through our tooth enamel and cause tooth decay. When brushing your teeth, be sure to use a quality electric toothbrush or a soft bristled manual brush. While medium and hard bristled toothbrushes are readily available, stiffer bristles and aggressive brushing causes gums to recede and can wear down your tooth’s enamel.

2. Use Fluoride Toothpaste

Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel, making it an important additive to toothpaste. Using toothpaste and mouthwash with fluoride can reverse tooth decay at early stages, reducing the need for fillings.

3. Keep your Tongue Clean

When you brush your teeth, don’t forget to brush your tongue. Running your toothbrush over the white or yellow area at the back of your tongue helps to remove the foul-smelling bacterial waste that causes bad breath.

4. Take Good Care of your Toothbrush

Your toothbrush doesn’t need any special cleaning, but make sure it dries completely after each use and there is no leftover toothpaste. Store your toothbrush in an upright position that is exposed to air. Don’t forget to change out your old toothbrush for a fresh new toothbrush every 3 to 4 months…or earlier if you see a lot of wear and tear on the bristles.

5. Floss Daily

Flossing is important because it removes plaque between teeth and out from under the gumlines, where a toothbrush can’t reach. If left alone, plaque and tartar build up under the surface of the gumlines can cause periodontal disease, which leads to bone destruction and tooth loss. Daily flossing helps prevent tooth decay and gingivitis.

6. Limit Sugary Drinks

The bacteria in our mouths thrive on sugar which makes sugary drinks a major contributor to tooth decay. Reducing the amount of sugar in your diet combined with regular brushing and flossing can help keep the bacteria under control.

7. Maintain a Healthy Diet

A healthy diet is not only important for your overall health, but it is important for your teeth as well. In addition to good nutrition provided by healthy foods that help your bones and teeth grow and stay healthy, a lot of fruits and vegetables are crunchy and chewy, which promotes the production of saliva. Foods that require a lot of chewing are good for the teeth because more saliva means the mouth is naturally washed out more often.

8. Drink Plenty of Water

Water is the healthiest drink for your smile and your body. Drinking water helps rinse teeth clean and discourages tooth decay. Not only that…but keeping your body hydrated helps your mouth produce enough saliva to keep your mouth and teeth clean. Saliva naturally washes out the mouth, removing oral bacteria and the food particles that they feed upon.

9. Don’t Chew on Hard Items

Don’t chew on hard candies or ice and keep non-food items like pens, pencils, and water bottle caps out of your mouth. These items aren’t designed to be chewed and can damage your teeth.

10. See your regular Dentist Twice a Year

Regular dental visits are necessary to preserving your oral health. Having routine cleanings every six months helps to promote good oral health and a beautiful smile. Your dentist is trained to recognize early signs of tooth decay and gum disease before they cause severe damage to your teeth and mouth. Regular checkups are the key to maintaining a healthy smile. Visiting your dentist twice a year can help you avoid complicated and expensive dental procedures later in life.

It can take some time before you start to notice changes from improved oral hygiene. While these changes won’t come overnight, they are certainly worth the time and effort, both for the sake of your smile and your overall health. If you have any questions regarding the health of your teeth and mouth, don’t hesitate to call our office.

 

A Perfect Smile in 3 Easy Steps

Kelly Orthodontics

 

The upcoming holiday season can be a busy time for parents and their children. A new season brings new activities and new routines so it’s easy to forget that you still need to be taking care of your braces and teeth. 

Step 1: Whiten - There are many tooth whitening products available at your local drug store that can get rid of stains and discolorations. At-home teeth whitening kits often contain peroxide gels or strips with peroxide that are designed to be left on your teeth as long as overnight. However, home treatments can actually be more expensive than an in-office teeth whitening by Dr. Kelly. Using an at-home treatment is less expensive at first, but the whitening agents are also less concentrated than the ones used by our orthodontic practice. You may have to spend more money over time on several whitening kits, while Dr. Kelly can make your smile brighter in one quick procedure. Pro Tip: To keep your smile beautifully realistic, don’t make your teeth lighter than the whites of your eyes. 

Step 2: Floss - Floss once or twice a day, everyday,  just before you brush your teeth. This removes plaque from between your teeth, preventing a build up of yellow or off-white plaque. If you have braces, ask our office about Floss Threaders. Floss Threaders are an easy and effective way to floss between your brackets and wires. 

Step 3: Food - While the occasional sweet treat is OK…be mindful that braces are sensitive to damage, so you’ll need to avoid certain foods for as long as you have braces. These include sticky and hard foods that can damage the wires or bands, or cause a bracket to separate from a tooth. Also, limit consumption of sugary foods and drinks this summer. When sugar mixes with saliva, it creates a sticky film (plaque) that coats the teeth. It is also a good idea to reduce exposure to foods and drinks that can stain your teeth.  

At Kelly Orthodontics, we are passionate about making our patients love their smiles. Whether you are an adult, adolescent, or child, our team will work together to exceed all of your expectations. If you have any questions on how to take care of your teeth and braces be sure to give our St. Charles Office a call. Our friendly team is here to help.

Just the Facts

Kelly Orthodontics

We use our teeth every single day, from biting, to eating, to speaking. We often take our teeth for granted. We may not realize just how vital they are to our health and our appearance or the overall impact teeth have on our bodies. 

6 Surprising Facts About Our Teeth 

1. A cavity is one of the few things the body can’t heal. A cavity just gets larger with time, unless a dentist removes the decay and places a filling. 

2. Diet soda and sports drinks can be just as tough on teeth as regular soda…both contain acid. Acid attacks the enamel surface of your teeth and can lead to cavities. People who drink 3 or more glasses of soda each day have 62% more tooth decay, fillings, and tooth loss than those who keep their soda drinking to a minimum. 

3. If you don’t floss, you miss cleaning 40% of your tooth surfaces. 

4. About a third of each tooth is underneath your gums. This is why keeping your gums healthy is as important as making sure your teeth are well cared for.

5. A tooth can grow in upside down, sideways, and backwards. 

6. Your teeth are like your fingerprint…they are uniquely yours. Even identical twins don’t have identical teeth.

We rely on our teeth daily to help us eat. Knowing a little more about them and how our behaviors affect our dental health can help us take better care of our teeth and keep us smiling long into the future. 

If you have any questions regarding the health of your teeth please visit our website or call our office to speak to one of our friendly and knowledgeable team members.

From crowding to spacing, from overbites to underbites, our team in St. Charles, IL, is pleased to have the opportunity to provide families with the highest quality orthodontic care using the latest technology. We are proud of the relationships we build with our patients and our focus on finding the orthodontic solutions that are right for your family.