Do You Have Gum Disease?

Kelly Orthodontics

More than 80 percent of Americans are living with periodontal or gum disease, which most often than not, goes unnoticed.

February has been designated “Gum Disease Awareness Month” in a national and global effort to raise public awareness of gum disease. The awareness program was launched in 2012 by the Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry, a non-profit educational and research center dedicated to providing evidence-based clinical training in advanced laser dentistry therapies.

At Kelly Orthodontics our goal is to continually raise awareness of the prevalence of gum disease while encouraging patients to take an active role in better oral health through prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Gum disease is something that most people will experience at some point in their lives. But because the symptoms of gum disease are so subtle and painless, most people just shrug it off. If gum disease is left untreated, the consequences could be severe.  Gum disease has been linked to a host of general medical problems, including: Heart disease, Endocarditis, Lung problems, Alzheimer’s disease, Colorectal cancer, Diabetes, and Kidney, pancreatic and blood cancers in men.

According to the American Association of Periodontology (AAP), you may have gum disease if:

• Your gums are red, swollen, and sore to the touch. 
• Your gums bleed when you eat, brush or floss. 
• You see pus or other signs of infection around the gums and teeth. 
• Your gums look as if they are "pulling away" from the teeth. 
• You frequently have bad breath or notice a bad taste in your mouth. 
• Your teeth are loose or feel as if they are moving away from the other teeth.

A great oral hygiene routine and regular dental visits are the absolute best way to take a preventative measure against gum disease. The American Dental Association (ADA) site recommends brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush that fits your mouth comfortably, so it reaches every tooth surface adequately. Plaque begins to re-form with 24 hours after brushing and flossing, so daily care is essential. Be sure to floss every day to ensure your gums are healthy and pink.

With good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups, you can keep your teeth for a lifetime and avoid many significant health problems.

If you have any questions regarding the health of your teeth and gums, please don't hesitate to give Kelly Orthodontics a call.

 

Does Your Breath Stink?

Kelly Orthodontics

We understand that bad breath can be an uncomfortable subject to talk about but unfortunately it happens to most people for several different reasons. Bad breath, or halitosis, can be caused by poor oral hygiene, personal habits such as smoking or eating certain foods, or medical problems. The most common factor for bad breath in patients with braces at Kelly Orthodontics is almost certainly caused by poor oral hygiene.

After getting braces, patients may develop bad breath from not cleaning their teeth correctly. Bacteria feeds on food particles left in your mouth, and this bacterium creates odor. Because braces contain so many small spaces to trap food, the habits that worked great for cleaning your teeth before braces may no longer be enough. If you recently gotten braces and have found that you have developed bad breath, there is a good chance that it’s being caused by bacteria remaining in your mouth.

Six Steps for Better Breath When You Have Braces.

Step 1: Brush & Floss Often - Oral hygiene is extremely important, especially when you have braces. If you have bad breath even though you’re brushing twice a day, it may be time to increase the number of times you brush and floss to 3-5 times a day. Bring a toothbrush, toothpaste, and some dental floss with you to work and/or school so that you can keep your mouth feeling clean throughout your day.

Step 2: Stay Hydrated - Dehydration is bad for both your overall health and your oral health as it can increase the chances of bad breath greatly. Drink a lot of water every day to keep your mouth constantly clean and moist.

Step 3: Replace Your Toothbrush – Thousands of germs hide out on your toothbrush, and when you have braces, it’s important to keep those germs under control. Dr. Kelly and his team recommend that you replace your toothbrush once every three to four months. However, if you find that you feel sick, don’t have fresh breath, or the bristles on your toothbrush are frayed, you may want to replace your toothbrush more often.

Step 4: Use Anti-Bacterial Mouthwash - One excellent way to kill order causing bacteria is to use mouthwash. Not only does mouthwash get into the spaces between your braces, but it also kills germs and bacteria that remain in your mouth.

Step 5: Get a Water Pick – Water Picks are available at many different price points and from many different brands. Water picks are designed to clean the miniscule spaces between your teeth and gums.

Step 6: Breath Mints - If you have established a proper dental health routine but you still feel self-conscious about having bad breath, you can temporarily freshen your mouth with sugar-free breath mints.

Remember to schedule regular dental visits. Scheduling regular dental visits will help you keep any tooth and gum problems at bay as well as to rectify any oral health issues that may be contributing to bad breath or affecting your braces.

For more information on fighting bad breath visit our website or give one of our friendly team members a call...we are here to help.

Caring For Your Invisalign Aligners

Kelly Orthodontics

Did you know over 8 million people across the U.S. have had orthodontic treatment using Invisalign? That includes many people right here in our St. Charles community.

Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable, and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements that Dr. Kelly plans out for you.

It is important that your take care of your Invisalign aligners to ensure they are doing their best in helping shape your teeth according to your Invisalign treatment plan.

One of Invisalign’s biggest advantages is having the ability to take the aligners out when you want to eat and drink… but that doesn't mean they don't get dirty. Keeping your aligners clean is a vital part of your treatment, and it's the only way to keep them invisible, odorless, and free from germs. Without proper cleaning, your aligners can discolor, smell, and build up deposits of plaque and bacteria that can eat away at the enamel on your teeth.

Caring for your Invisalign aligners is easy. 

Just follow these simple Do's and Don'ts when wearing Invisalign:

DO Soak Your Aligners At least Once a Day: If you want to keep your Invisalign looking and smelling great, you need to soak your aligners at least once per day. You can use denture cleaners or the cleaning crystals made by Invisalign. After finishing the soak, brush away all food particles and plaque with a toothbrush that is not the same one you use for brushing your teeth. After you are done brushing, rinse your aligners with warm water before you slip it back into your mouth.

DON’T Boil Your Aligners: The hot water will distort the trays. It is not safe to place your Invisalign aligners into the dishwasher or in boiling water. Warm water should be fine for rinsing them. But the best way to clean your aligners is with a clean toothbrush and cool water.

DO Brush Carefully: Ideally, you want to brush your Invisalign aligners every time you take them out or before you put them back in. But be careful, as overzealous brushing can leave visible marks and scratches on your aligners.

DON’T Use Toothpaste: Toothpaste is great for your teeth, but it can harm your aligners. When you brush them, do so gently and without toothpaste.

DO Brush and Floss Your Teeth Before Wearing Invisalign: Your teeth and gums should stay clean and healthy. Regular brushing and flossing are important to keep your teeth clean and strong. Always ensure that your teeth are clean before putting your Invisalign aligners back into your mouth.

DON’T Clean Your Invisalign Using Colored or Scented Soaps: Make sure to avoid using substances with strong colors and scents. Colored or scented soaps can leave some residue on your Invisalign trays, resulting in discoloration in the long run.

DO Consider Snacks Carefully: Invisalign’s effectiveness depends on whether you can wear it for 20-22 hours a day. If you want to eat something that would impact your Invisalign aligners, you will need to take them out of your mouth. Be sure to keep snacking throughout the day to a minimum to ensure your Invisalign aligners are in place as long as possible.

DON’T Leave the Aligners Laying Out: Store your aligners in their case when you are not using them. If you leave them in the open air, you will risk exposing them to airborne pathogens, building up bacteria. Also, you’re more likely to lose or damage your aligners if you don’t store them in their case.

If you have questions about caring for your Invisalign aligners, we are here to help! Feel free to reach out to us or use our easy online form to schedule an appointment in our St. Charles orthodontic office.

Getting Used To your Braces

Kelly Orthodontics

You may not be excited to get braces at first, but before you know it…you will love your braces. There will be some bad days, but there will be lots of good days too. You will soon realize your braces are working hard to help you achieve the smile you have always wanted.

To prevent any ill feelings between you and your braces the team at Kelly Orthodontics recommends...

Avoiding Sticky and Hard Foods. You don’t want to do anything that could cause your braces harm and sticky or hard foods can break a bracket or wire. Even though it may seem like all of your favorite foods are the foods that are sticky and hard, there are plenty of great tasting foods out there that will keep your braces safe.

Chew With Your Back Teeth. Taking a large bite of food with your front teeth can leave your braces vulnerable to damage. Cut large foods into smaller pieces and use your back teeth to chew.

Smooth Things Over. When you first get your braces, sore spots may develop on your cheeks. To protect your cheeks, place wax on the bracket or wire. Rinsing with warm salt water several times a day can also be very soothing to your gum and cheek tissues. Don’t worry…the soreness from your braces will not last long. 

Floss Regularly. We know that it can be a pain to floss around your braces.  But flossing is the best way to prevent gum disease and other oral health problems. If you find flossing with braces difficult, don’t give up on it. There are tools that can help. Ask us about Floss Threaders. Floss Threaders make flossing with braces much easier.

You and your braces will go through a lot together. When all is said and done, you will smile at yourself in the mirror, remembering your braces fondly and you'll know that it was totally worth all the hard work.

Your Questions Answered

Kelly Orthodontics

At Kelly Orthodontics we get a lot of questions when it comes to braces. Dr. Kelly and his team know that being told that you need braces can cause some apprehension. If you have been told by your General Dentist that you may need braces, don’t worry…we have your back. 

One question we are always asked is… 

Does Getting Braces Hurt? 

While each person will have a different experience with braces, generally, getting braces does not hurt. There is no reason to be anxious about getting braces. Braces do not hurt at all when they are applied to the teeth. However, you may experience mild soreness after the orthodontic wire is engaged into the newly placed brackets. Most of our patients experience some discomfort the first 4 days after their braces and wires have been placed and after an adjustment appointment. All the appliances and wires used at Kelly Orthodontics are cutting-edge and exert light, continuous, forces that greatly decrease any soreness associated with orthodontic treatment. But, if you do feel any discomfort associated with getting braces…an over the counter pain reliever, such as Advil or Motrin, plus a regimen of salt water rinses can be used to greatly ease the discomfort. 

Another popular question is… 

How Long Do I Have to Wear My Braces? 

The amount of time you will need to wear your braces greatly depends on the following: The severity of your orthodontic problem. The health of your teeth, gums, and supporting bone. Dr. Kelly’s goals. Your willingness to carefully following Dr. Kelly’s instructions throughout treatment. Most of our patients need to wear braces for about 18 to 24 months. For problems that are harder to correct, treatment may take up to three years. If you have less severe issues or are a good candidate for clear aligners, like Invisalign, treatment time may take as little as 6 to 12 months. 

A few more questions we always get asked are… 

Why Can’t I Get Invisalign Instead of Traditional Braces? Both Invisalign and traditional metal braces can effectively straighten your teeth and correct your bite. And both produce amazing results. However, there are some complex orthodontic problems that can only be corrected with traditional metal braces. Therefore, Dr. Kelly may recommend traditional braces instead of Invisalign. We realize that being told that Invisalign isn’t the right choice for you can be very disappointing, but it’s our job to give you the best treatment possible so you can have a beautiful, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. 

Are Braces Expensive? There’s no denying that braces are costly, but because orthodontic treatment is highly personalized and based on the individual the patient, your expenses will depend on your age, insurance plan, and the type of braces you wear. It is impossible to know exactly how much braces will cost before being examined by Dr. Kelly. 

Why Can’t My Dentist Put My Braces On? Dr. Kelly is trained to detect and correct complex bite and jaw problems that are normally beyond the skill level of a general dentist. When it comes to braces…training is key. Dr. Kelly continued his education after completing dental school, spending thousands of hours of targeted instruction on malocclusions, bone growth problems, jaw issues, craniofacial anatomy, biomechanics and more. Only orthodontists, with their extensive backgrounds, can be relied on to provide the appropriate and comprehensive treatment for your oral health needs. 

Still have questions about braces? Visit our Website for answers. Or give our St. Charles orthodontic office a call to schedule your initial consultation.