How to Overcome Your Fear of Having Braces 1

How to Overcome Your Fear of Having Braces

no-fear-braces

LAST UPDATED: NOVEMBER 28, 2017

How to Overcome Your Fear of Having Braces

The idea of braces may be something that is frightening to you. You may not want to face your friends and family members\

while you are wearing a large tooth alignment apparatus on your teeth. You may be nervous about the pain and discomfort that the initial installation or the progressive tightening process will cause you. Perhaps you think that your teeth will begin to decay because the brackets will prevent you from being able to take care of them. The good news is that you neither have to lose your comfort or your reputation. Many options are available for you in the present age of dental technology.

FAQ

What are traditional braces?

Traditional brackets are still an excellent choice for many reasons. They are the sturdiest option that is available today. You can come out of your treatment with gorgeously straight teeth. However, metal brackets can be a drag, especially if you are a college student or you work in a customer-facing position and you have to talk to customers all night long. In those cases, you may want to explore some alternative options so that you can choose the one that makes the most sense to you. The following are just a few of the alternative options you have:

What Are Lingual Brackets?

Lingual brackets are beautiful options to choose because they closely resemble the traditional option. In fact, lingual options have traditional metal brackets on them. The difference is that the dentist puts them on behind the teeth so that no one can see them. You can care for your customers, your family, and your fans without letting metal get in the way. Many orthodontic patients choose lingual brackets as their substitute for the traditional ones because they get the confidence of a strong system plus the discretion. They are a common alternative for people who have severe malocclusion.

What Is The Damon System?

Damon Braces are options that can assist you with the idea of pain. They contain self-ligating brackets, so you will not have to go to the orthodontist for frequent tightening. The Damon brackets are a bit smaller than traditional metal brackets are, as well. You will have many reasons to obtain some of these brackets instead of the other ones. Many patients have had success with the Damon units.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a popular new option that takes teeth alignment to a revolutionary level. The system is made of plastic aligners that you can take off whenever you like. Is that not amazing? For decades, orthondontic patients had to worry about restricted diets, lack of discretion and the tightening process. Invsialign eliminated all those worries. First, patients can be as discreet as they like because the aligners are clear. No one can tell the person is wearing the device unless he or she would get directly in that person’s mouth. A patient can keep dental hygiene perfectly because the device can come off for tooth brushing and other activities.

The way the system works is that a lab technician creates a set of plastic aligners for a person.That person then puts the aligners on and wears them for two weeks. When the two weeks are up, the person switches to the next set of aligners. The process continues until all the teeth become gradually pulled to the spot in which they belong. Sometimes Invisalign can work quickly to resolve a minor law. Many patents have raved about how they got finished with the treatment in less than one year.

Schedule a Consultation

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

How to Overcome Your Fear of Having Braces

wow smile patient nick

What is the Best Age for Your Child to Get Orthodontic [Braces]?

bracesWhat is the Best Age for Your Child to Get Orthodontic Braces?

The world of orthodontics is ever-changing, and both children and adults can benefit from braces. If you’re a parent, you want the very best for your child, especially when it comes to their long-term appearance and smile. If your child’s teeth are crooked, you know how difficult it can be for them to feel confident and have the self-esteem that they truly need. In this case, it’s vital that you take a look at orthodontics and consider it for your own children as it is a way for them to improve their smile and increase their confidence levels.

What an Orthodontist Does

An orthodontist is there to help straighten your child’s teeth. They do this by using a range of different appliances, from retainers to braces. Because there are so many options available, it’s easy to pick and choose the treatment plan that is right for you, ensuring that your child is not only comfortable during the course of treatment, but that they get the best results possible. Your orthodontic team will begin the process by taking x-rays of the teeth and coming up with a solid plan that outlines your child’s needs and requirements. From there, they will be more than happy to work with your insurance so that you’re able to get the most out of the treatment process.

Why Children and Teens Can Benefit

One of the main reasons children and teens can benefit from orthodontic care is because it helps to improve their smile. If their teeth are crooked and misaligned, this is doing nothing for their confidence, and it can affect them in every part of their life. Also, some kids and teens have issues talking and eating because of severe misalignment issues, and it can even have an impact on the facial structure. Because of this, it only makes sense to consider orthodontic care when you are dealing with a child who needs braces.

The Best Age for Orthodontic Care

Many parents want to know what the best age is for their child to go to the orthodontist. For most parents, they will start orthodontic care around their child’s 10th or 11th birthday. Some parents don’t have their teens go for braces until they are closer to 15. It is entirely up to you and your child when it comes to when is the best time for them to get braces. If you’re noticing that your child is not mature enough to take care of their teeth, it might not be a good idea for them to get braces because it can have a negative impact on their smile for life. Also, if your child still has their baby teeth in, you should not get braces until all adult teeth have come in.


Your child may not necessarily want to get braces, so this comes down to you and the orthodontist to tell when it is time for them to have treatment done. If your child wants braces and is excited to get them, you can make an appointment with a local professional so that you and your child are able to come up with a solid treatment plan. There are a few things that come into play when it concerns a child getting braces and that has to do with whether or not all of their adult teeth are in and whether or not they are mature enough to care for their teeth while wearing braces. Your orthodontist will be able to help you determine the best age for when your child should get braces.

Appointments and Scheduling

It is crucial that when your child or teen gets braces that they keep every appointment they have made. This ensures proper care of the teeth and guarantees that they will get the best results possible. If your child is constantly missing appointments and not going when they are scheduled for tightening and fittings, they are going to prolong their treatment, which can be a major issue when it comes to both costs and results. It is important that you and your child has a way to get to the orthodontic office when you are scheduled for them to go and have work done. Most appointments are every month, so this is something for you to consider when you are getting this type of work done for your child.

Educating Your Child

It is important that you educate your child when it comes to ensuring they get the most out of their orthodontic care. You need to ensure that your child knows how to brush their teeth and make appointments each month because this is the only way for them to get the results that they need and want. You can also talk to the orthodontic team if you need help with teaching your child how to care for their teeth while they are wearing braces.

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

 

At What Age Do [Baby Teeth] Normally Fall Out? 2

At What Age Do [Baby Teeth] Normally Fall Out?

baby teethAt what Age do Baby Teeth Normally Fall Out?

Also known as deciduous or primary teeth, these are the first set of teeth in the human development and that of other diphyodont mammals. In most cases, they develop in the embryonic stage but become visible during infancy. Each baby tooth normally appears at a specific time. For example, the first upper central incisor erupts between 8 and 12 months while the lower first molar erupts when an infant is between 14 and 18 months.

Baby teeth are functional for years, and a child can be able to chew just about anything. They, however, start to fall out when the permanent teeth are ready to sprout. Just like each baby tooth appears at its own time, the falling out is also systematic and gradual. The last one usually falls out when a child is between ten and twelve years. The timeline for sprouting and shedding can, however, be different for some kids.

When do Baby Teeth Fall Out?

The average age when a baby tooth starts becoming loose is five or six years. Some children begin shedding theirs as early as four years while others start late at seven years. It is quite normal, so no parent should be alarmed. If you need further affirmation of this, you can visit the nearest orthodontist. They can clarify the matter and make you feel at ease with your child’s teeth shedding situation. You can tell your child’s tooth is loose when you notice them touching it quite a lot. A kid is more likely to tell their parent as soon as they realize they have a wiggly tooth.

The first tooth to fall out, which is normally the first one to also appear, is the lower central incisor. This happens when a child is around six or seven years. It is closely followed by the upper central incisor. These two incisors can start getting loose at the same time. Your child will be tempted to touch them all the time, so it is essential to encourage them to wash their hands before doing so. Touching teeth with dirty hands can promote the spread of bacteria in the mouth and even cause infections.

The lateral incisors; both upper and lower, are usually the next teeth to fall out. These too can loosen at the same time, or one will do so slightly earlier than the other one. It usually happens between seven and eight yrs. Observe your child and know the right time to take them to a specialist like an orthodontist for removal.

The next fall out are the first molars. These might make it hard for your child to eat, so put them on foods that are easy to chew. Also, discourage them from trying to yank them out themselves as a broken tooth might result in more problems. If it, however, happens, make sure you take them to a specialist.

Second molars are usually the last ones to fall out just like they are the last ones to erupt. They too can make it painful for your child to eat, so make sure whatever they consume is soft enough. Observe the degree of looseness and when you are sure they are ready to be pulled out, take them to an orthodontist. If you do not know when the right time is, you can still take them to the specialist as soon as they become wiggly to get an estimated time of when the orthodontist can remove them.

Preparation for Baby Teeth Falling Out

  • Avoid giving your child drinks that are too cold or too hot. Their loose teeth are sensitive at this particular point, so drinks that are at extreme temperatures may cause irritation or pain.
  • Remind your child not to yank out any loose teeth. Explain to them that doing so will result in the broken root being more vulnerable to infection, thus causing pain. Once they understand, they will be more careful when touching the wiggly tooth.
  • Start giving your child soft foods as soon as you realize they have a wobbly tooth. They may find it hard to chew hard food, and if they try too hard, the wiggly tooth may be yanked out.
  • If your child gets to about eight years without any teeth falling out, take them to an orthodontist just to ensure all is well. X-rays will be used to assess such as situation.
  • If a loose tooth fails to come out, take your child to a specialist who will pull it out using specific tools.

How to Pull Out a Tooth

If you are going to pull out your kid’s baby tooth without the help of a specialist, follow these steps:

  • Wash your hands with soap and rinse them well
  • Wiggle the loose tooth back and forth to make sure it is ready to come out
  • If it is ready, twist it slightly, and it will come out
  • Examine the gums to ensure no tooth remains are stuck in the area
  • If you notice any redness the following day or your child complains of pain, book an appointment with your orthodontist immediately

Conclusion

Do not ignore a loose tooth and also encourage your child to always speak up whenever they realize one is wobbly. If you notice your kid is scared about their teeth being pulled out, you will have to regularly check them until all of them are pulled out at the right time. Failure to remove wiggly baby teeth will result in the permanent teeth being crooked, a problem that your child may have to deal with even when they are adults.

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