I Got My Braces. Now What?

Congratulations! We're so excited to get started and welcome you to our office! Now that you’re wearing braces, it’s just as important to maintain a good oral hygiene regimen as you did before your orthodontic treatment began. Here's a few helpful tips from Dr. Michelle Neal. We're excited to help you every step of the way!


How do I keep my teeth clean?
Braces are known to trap food particles and make it difficult to brush or remove plaque, which is why we recommend that you brush after every meal. We also encourage you to use a proxa-brush to help with the smaller areas where your toothbrush doesn’t reach. We also recommend the use of ClinPro, a calcium and fluoride paste daily. When your braces are initially placed, you may experience discomfort for up to 3 or 5 days, which is why we encourage you to eat soft foods during that time. Remember, the less pressure you put on your teeth, the less discomfort you will experience.

You may also be thinking, “Okay, so what can I eat?” We would encourage you to avoid eating sticky, hard, crunchy or chewy foods that can stick to your teeth and brackets, which can damage the braces. It’s critical to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, call our office so we can determine if an appointment is needed. Be sure to visit our website for more emergency help and tips, foods to avoid and patient videos!

How do I maintain my oral health during treatment?
In addition to visiting our office for regular adjustments, you should visit your dentist every six months (or as recommended by your doctor) for regular check-ups and teeth cleaning. Dr. Michelle Neal offers extra Neal Notes for visiting your dentist, check out our Neal Notes page for more details!

Questions? Please call our office or leave your comments here! Dr. Michelle Neal and her highly skilled team are here to help you every step of the way! Let us help you achieve the smile you've dreamed of by scheduling a complimentary consultation today!

Michelle Fogg Neal, DDS
(425) 823-1234
www.nealsmiles.com

Foods that Are Safe for Braces

Orthodontic braces are used to straighten the teeth, which not only creates a more pleasing appearance, but also helps prevent tooth decay and other oral health problems. Braces are only effective when they are properly cared for, however. Certain foods, for example, are better suited for individuals who have braces, as opposed to hard and sticky foods that can cause damage. So, what types of foods should you or your kids eat to protect dental appliances?

Post-Tightening Foods

As braces begin to adjust the alignment of the teeth, we will periodically change the wires to continue the alignment process. After your adjustment appointments, the teeth may be sore and sensitive to certain foods. During this time, it is best to eat soft foods and take medications like Tylenol or Children's Tylenol, Advil or Ibuprofen as needed. Examples include:

• Smoothies
• Mashed potatoes
• Soup
• Ice cream
• Cottage cheese
• Yogurt and Pudding
• Pancakes, oatmeal and soft cereals for breakfast
• Pasta

Foods to Avoid

According to the American Dental Association, anyone who wears braces – whether fixed or removable like Invisalign – should avoid excessive snacking and should aim to eat a healthy and balanced diet. It is also important to avoid foods that could cause damage to the braces, such as:

• Hard candies
• Gum
• Nuts
• Popcorn
• Raw veggies: be sure to slice into smaller sizes to prevent excessive pressure on braces. Also, be sure to cut the corn off the cob.
• Certain fruits, like apples need to be cut into even smaller slices.
• Meats: cut all meat off the bone to prevent biting into the bone with front teeth.

Considerations

Regardless of what types of foods you eat with braces, it is important to keep the crevices between the teeth and around the braces very clean. That means brushing and flossing after meals to prevent the build-up of plaque and decay. Not only can failing to do so damage the teeth, but it can also cause discoloration. It is also advised to continue regular hygiene appointments, so that your oral health is maintained and we have a bright, healthy smile once we complete the orthodontic treatment!

Have more questions about orthodontic treatment? Dr. Michelle Neal and her team are ready to answer all of your questions and help you get the most out of the treatment! Contact our office at (425) 823-1234 or at info@nealsmiles.com

Copyright © 2013 Sesame Communications

Tricks to Help Reduce Your Braces Treatment Time

Did you know that there are things you can do to make sure your treatment is as short as possible? We found an article posted on the Damon System website, we're sure to catch your attention! It lists the three most important steps to help reduce or maintain the treatment time Dr. Neal estimates. The other cool thing, we found an app that can help with rubberband wear and we couldn't be more thrilled! This awesome app can be found on i-tunes, called "Rubberband Reminder for orthodontic braces" by Iamthinking for $1.99

Click here to read the full article "Tricks to Help Reduce Your Braces Treatment Time" and find out what those three steps are!

New, Clear Alternative for Straightening Teeth, Now Gives Teens a Choice

New, Clear Alternative for Straightening Teeth, Now Gives Teens a Choice

Is your teen interested in straightening their teeth, but not excited about the metal hardware that traditional braces can add to their smile? Here's a new option to consider, Invisalign Teen. Invisalign Teen offers the opportunity to straighten their smile with clear, invisible aligners, that are removable allowing for no food restrictions. Invisalign Teen makes it easy for the teen to track their progress with a new feature like blue "Compliance Indicators" that are designed to gradually fade as the aligner worn, which will put you at ease knowing they're wearing the aligners properly! Dr. Michelle Neal takes it one step further with "Training Aligners" they will wear to help them get practice for the real thing! To learn more about Invisalign and Invisalign Teen, read the article below and visit our Invisalign Teen page on our website. Schedule your complimentary consultation to see what Invisalign Teen and Dr. Neal can do for you and your teen!


New, Clear Alternative for Straightening Teeth, Now Gives Teens a Choice Article

Mouth Guards and YOU!

What's the deal with mouth guards? There are so many different types of mouth guards, how do you know which one is right for you or your child? A lot of our patients play sports, and now is a great time to remind all of you to take care of both your mouth and appliances while participating in sports – especially contact sports such as soccer, football and basketball. Did you know that if you have braces you can still wear a mouth guard? We recommend a different type of mouth guard made especially for patients in treatment.

To read the full article, Mouth Guards and You, click the link below! Post any comments on our blog or our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/NealSmiles or call our office for more information and help choosing which mouth guard is right for you!



Mouth Guards and You (the full article)

Fitting Braces into Your Life!

Did you, your child or your friend just start orthodontic treatment with us? We know that starting treatment can be challenging and exciting at the same time! To achieve the best results possible in the shortest amount of time, there are some changes you'll need to take into consideration during your treatment with us. Click the link below to read the full article, Fitting Braces into Your Life. As always, our team is here to help, call us anytime to ask questions and to get advice from our trained professionals! (425) 823-1234


Fitting Braces into Your Life

Manual vs. Electric Toothbrushes

Manual vs. Electric Toothbrushes...that is the question! Have you ever stopped to ask yourself which one is right for you, or your child or your partner?

Regardless of the type of toothbrush you prefer, when used properly, both powered and manual toothbrushes are great options for removing plaque and keeping teeth and gums healthy. So what variables should you consider when deciding on the best toothbrush for you?  Here are a few factors to consider, read the full article by clicking the link below!

Tell us what you think by posting on here or our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/NealSmiles

Manual vs. Electric Toothbrushes article