Fun Facts About Orthodontics and Straightening Your Teeth

When you visit our office for orthodontics, we will start by examining your teeth and talking about your goals and what you want your smile to look like. This isn't the 1980’s.  There are a variety of ways to straighten your teeth and improve your smile now.  Traditional metal braces are only one solution, and we will work with you to make sure that whatever we recommend is a fit for your appearance goals and your lifestyle.

If you are concerned about a certain type of treatment of worried that you won’t be able to eat your favorite burger – let us know.  We want to take your concerns into consideration so that when we make a treatment recommendation we are making one that you can live with. 

Here are some fun facts about orthodontics that you should keep in mind.

• Braces are for the artist in you.  That’s right – you can get creative with your braces. That’s because we use rubber bands to secure your wire in place. They come in a wide variety of colors, and you can make any pattern that you want.  Your braces can match your favorite outfit or the next holiday.  It’s up to you!
• You don’t have to see them.  In some cases, patients qualify to wear braces behind their teeth instead of in front.  This may sound strange, but it can be an effective way to move your teeth.  If you’re interested in this option let us know, and we can determine if it’s a viable treatment for you. 
• You can take them off.  If you use an aligner to straighten your teeth, instead of metal braces, you can take the aligner off when you eat.  This is the perfect option for foodies that can’t live without their favorite plate of ribs or other messy foods that can be hard to eat with braces.  Simply pop it off; eat like normal, brush, and put the aligner back on to keep your teeth moving in the right direction. 
• The procedure is faster.  Dental technology has improved to the point that most people wear orthodontics for a shorter period of time than they used to.  Decades ago some people had their braces on all through high school.  Now it’s common to wear them for two years or less. 
• They are smaller.  The size of the metal brackets and wires has shrunk.  This means that more of your natural teeth show through, they are easier to clean, and your appearance will look better.  Even though they are smaller they are still more effective, so it’s better all around. 

Orthodontics is also cooler than it used to be.  Braces got a bad reputation when they first came out because only a few people wore them.  This made them a little strange.  Now, more and more people have braces, and it is rare for kids to not have at least a few of their friends wearing braces at any given time.  This has made them socially acceptable and even fun. More importantly your smile will look amazing when done. 

Our Family Dentist Office Has Compiled Ways That You Can Save Money on Dental Care

In our family dentist office, we treat patients of all ages and understand that the larger your family is, the more important it becomes to save money. Managing health care expenses is an important part of that.  Unfortunately, most people don’t know how.  Our team has compiled a series of ideas that you can implement to start saving money right away.

• Review your dental insurance.  Just because you are insured, doesn’t mean that your policy is right for you.  It is important to review your dental coverage on an annual basis to make sure that it is covering the things that are the most important to your family.  You should also look to see if you can get similar coverage for a reduced rate or if you can get more procedures covered without increasing your annual premium.
• Purchase a savings plan.  You can buy a dental savings plan online and use it to help reduce what you pay for dental work. Select one that covers procedures your dental insurance does not.  This way you will be covered, regardless of what dental work you need to be done.  As a family dentist, we have seen patients save money by taking this simple step.  These dental plans reduce the rate that you pay for dental work and can be particularly helpful when getting orthodontics.
• Have your teeth cleaned.  If you want to control your health care cost, you need to focus on preventative care.  Most insurance companies will pay for all or most of your dental cleanings so this becomes an affordable way to stay healthy. By cleaning your teeth twice a year, we can remove harmful plaque and bacteria that can lead to cavities and gum disease. This is by far the easiest way to save money because it prevents the need for emergency dental care later on.
• Prevent an accident.  If you injure your teeth, you will need emergency dentistry and a dental restoration.  This can be expensive, especially if you have damaged multiple teeth.  In our family dentistry office, we recommend that you wear a mouth guard in order to prevent dental injuries while playing sports.  The American Dental Association reported that over 200,000 high school and college athletes avoid injury on an annual basis by wearing one, and these devices can help younger children and adults as well.
• Use fluoride.  You can strengthen your teeth and prevent cavities by using fluoride.  In our dental office, we provide fluoride treatments for children but they can work for adults too. You can also brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for the maximum benefit.
• Try sealant.  If your child has deep ridges in their teeth, bacteria can become trapped in them and lead to cavities.  We can seal their teeth so that nothing will become trapped, and their teeth can stay healthy.

The best way to save money and to manage your dental care cost is to prevent dental emergencies.  We can do so in our family dentistry office so call today and schedule your appointment.