Nothing Shakes the Smiling Heart 1

Nothing Shakes the Smiling Heart

smile

A famous writer believed that people shouldn’t cry when something is over but that they should smile because it happened. This is excellent advice, but if you have crooked teeth, then you might avoid smiling. Fortunately, you can visit an orthodontist to have your smile improved with braces or Invisalign aligners. Orthodontic treatment is a good choice for any adult, teenager or child who has misaligned teeth. In many cases, you only need to wear orthodontic devices for one year to see a noticeable improvement in your smile. However, the only way to learn about the type of treatment that you require is by having an examination.

Improve Your Health With Orthodontic Treatment

An examination at an orthodontic office is easy because an orthodontist will have top-of-the-line diagnostic equipment. After the examination is over, you can look at the medical images to see what your facial structure looks like. With computer software, it is also possible to learn how your smile will look after an orthodontic treatment repairs your bite. If you find it difficult to chew fresh vegetables or fruit, then having your teeth straightened can make it easier to enjoy a healthier diet on a daily basis.

Call Us Today To Schedule an Appointment

When you live in Larkspur, Calif., you can schedule an appointment with Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics. At our facility, you can have an examination from one of these orthodontists:

• Dr. Jeff Nichelini
• Dr. Bill Schmohl
• Dr. Jasmine Gorton

Patients can undergo treatment with a variety of orthodontic devices, including:

• Braces with colors – great for children and teenagers
• Damon clear – clear brackets that are nearly invisible
• Retainers – used to make minor adjustments to teeth
• Invisalign aligners – clear aligners that are removable

We also offer WowSmiles and Acceledent options to our orthodontic patients. Schedule an appointment by calling 415-459-8006 today.

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics
900 Larkspur Landing Circle,Suite 200 Larkspur CA 94939 Tel: (415)-459-8006

Nothing Shakes the Smiling Heart

“If you smile when you are alone, then you really mean it.” - Andy Rooney 2

“If you smile when you are alone, then you really mean it.” – Andy Rooney

smile

“If you smile when you are alone, then you really mean it.” – Andy Rooney

People have to work hard not to smile when someone first smiles at them just Andy Rooney says here. It is an automatic response to smile back at someone. It’s a wonder, then, if smiles are really genuine. After all, if some smiles are an automatic response, we will wonder whether those are genuine. The good news is that we know, at least, our smiles are genuine when we are alone because they are coming from within.

What Can Your Smile Tell You?

When we’re alone and we smile, it’s often because we found something funny, came across something that brings us joy or we remembered a happy memory. Since we’re not expected to provide a social smile back at someone, we know that it’s real. We can also hypothesize that smiling is a genuine reaction that comes from within and not completely behaviorally learned because we know that babies often smile in the womb.

However, there are times when our smiles are genuine with others as well. We can tell when others are “just being polite” because those smiles are minimal. It is said that a smile can use as little as 5 facial muscles and as many as 53 muscles. The more muscles someone uses while smiling the more genuine the smile is.

Now, let’s get back to why people resist smiling. There are some who don’t like to smile because they’re self-conscious of their smiles. This comes from four reasons: they don’t feel they have an attractive smile, they have missing teeth, their teeth are discolored, and they have crooked teeth. The most common reasons amongst these reasons is from discolored teeth, which can be corrected with whitening, and crooked teeth.

Thankfully, people have the option of visiting an orthodontist to get braces. If people don’t like the sight of braces on their teeth, they have the option of using Invisalign and other clear aligners that are virtually undetectable. Invisalign and other aligners steadily move teeth. Wearing a couple aligners for a few weeks can make a huge difference and people have found they’re more likely to smile because of it.

Schedule an Orthodontic Examination in Larkspur Today

In Marin County, Calif., you can visit Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics to have an examination and treatment from these professionals:

• Dr. Jasmine Gorton
• Dr. Bill Schmohl
• Dr. Jeff Nichelini

An orthodontist will discuss orthodontic options with you to repair problems such as crowded teeth,crossbites or overbites. Depending on your malocclusions, you can wear one of these devices:

• Retainers
• Invisalign
• WildSmiles
• Braces with colors
• Traditional or Damon Clear

We also offer WowSmiles and Acceledent options to our orthodontic patients. Schedule an appointment by calling 415-459-8006 today.

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics
900 Larkspur Landing Circle,Suite 200 Larkspur CA 94939 Tel: (415)-459-8006

“If you smile when you are alone, then you really mean it.” – Andy Rooney

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4 Steps to Dealing With an Orthodontic Emergency

laughWhen you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment, you put a lot of time, energy, and effort into keeping your smile looking great. Whether you’ve chosen Invisalign or a traditional metal option, you want your teeth to look their best when they finally come off. Not only that, however, you want your smile back as soon as possible–which means that when you have problems, you need your orthodontist to fix them quickly! If you’re experiencing an orthodontic emergency, there are several steps that you should take quickly.

1. Define Emergency.

True orthodontic emergencies don’t occur very often. Even the most severe “emergencies”–broken appliances, brackets, etc–can typically be fixed with a visit to the orthodontist during the next available business hours. Make sure, before you call your office in a panic, that you know whether or not you’re really dealing with an emergency. It’s also important to know what requires immediate attention and what can wait until you can get into the office.

2. See If It Can Be Fixed

In many cases, you can fix problems for yourself–or at least manage a temporary fix that will hold you until you can get in for an appointment. For example, if you have a loose wire that is poking or causing discomfort, you may be able to use a q-tip or pencil eraser to gently tuck it back into place. A wire that has come loose often be gently replaced with a pair of tweezers; if you’re having trouble getting it to hold or it has sharp edges that are causing discomfort, try using orthodontic wax to secure the wire temporarily and provide relief.

If a bracket has come loose, it can be gently set back in place or removed entirely until an appointment can be made. The tiny rubber bands, or ligatures, that hold wires in place on brackets can also be replaced with tweezers if they come off. If the missing ligature has been lost completely, simply leave the wire alone until an appointment can be made. Larger missing or damaged pieces should be left in place until an orthodontic appointment can be made. It’s important, however, to avoid swallowing broken pieces if at all possible. If this does occur, it’s no reason to panic! Simply make sure the airway isn’t obstructed and that the piece isn’t hung in the throat.

In many cases, the individual with the problem may not be able to fix it on their own. Having an extra set of hands and a set of eyes that doesn’t have to look in the mirror is often the best way to get a problem fixed and braces back to normal. Applying wax or Oragel, however, can typically be fixed by the individual with the problem.

3. Look for Solutions to Problems

Some soreness is normal and expected when you’re wearing braces, especially after you’ve first had them put on or tightened. This isn’t an emergency; it’s a normal part of getting the smile you’ve always dreamed of. From invisalign to traditional metal options, getting your smile fixed is sometimes uncomfortable. The end result, however, is well worth it!

If you’re getting sores in your mouth as a result of brackets rubbing, try placing orthodontic wax over the brackets or wires in the sore spots. They’ll continue to work on your teeth, but won’t cause the same damage to the inside of your cheeks, your tongue, or your lips while you’re healing. You can also use a topical anesthetic like Oragel to temporarily relieve discomfort. Be sure that you’re carefully following the instructions on the package, and discontinue use once your mouth has healed.

Food stuck in brackets or stuck under wires is an embarrassing problem that everyone with braces experiences at least once, but it’s not an emergency! A special brush or dental floss with a knot tied in it is usually enough to get the food out of the way. Be careful flossing or brushing around delicate or loose appliances or brackets so that you don’t cause further damage.

4. Don’t Forget to Call the Office

If you’re experiencing any problem or have doubts about what to do, always call your orthodontist’s office at the first opportunity to make sure that they don’t need you to come in earlier than your next scheduled appointment. Over time, you’ll learn what issues require only a quick fix on your part and which ones are going to require a call. In the meantime, however, never hesitate to put a call in to the office. They’ve heard it all, seen it all, and have a pretty good idea of how to manage most orthodontic problems and concerns. The receptionist may be able to give you all the advice you need, but if not, the doctor will return your call as soon as possible.

Orthodontic problems are a normal part of wearing brackets and wires to help fix your teeth. There are, however, several things that you can do to prevent them. First and foremost, avoid the crunchy foods listed on the list that was given to you when you first started your treatment. They’re on the “avoid this food” list for a reason! Second, make sure that you always wear a mouth guard when playing sports. While this is recommended to all individuals engaged in contact sports in order to protect the teeth, it’s even more critical for patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Finally, try to avoid poking at your orthodontic appliances with your tongue. While they may be uncomfortable, poking at them can cause them to bend or break, which prevents them from completing the treatment that you need to receive.

Fix Your Smile Today

Contact Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics today to set up your consultation. There’s no reason to put off a visit to our helpful team of professionals. It is our goal to help you make the most of your smile.

Dr. Jasmine Gorton

Dr. Bill Schmohl

When your teeth are aligned properly and your jaw is flowing smoothly, you will find more reasons to flash those pearly whites every day. Let Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics be your partner in good oral hygiene.

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics
900 Larkspur Landing Circle, Suite 200, Larkspur, California 94939 415-459-8006