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Tooth brushing Mistake No.4: “Brushing Too Often or Too Hard” 1

Tooth brushing Mistake No.4: “Brushing Too Often or Too Hard”

tooth brushing

If you want a gorgeous smile that will turn heads, you should think about your daily brushing routine before making an appointment to talk about braces. Though it’s important that you brush regularly, it’s also important that you do not brush too hard or brush too often. The more you brush and the more vigorously you brush, the more damage you can do to your teeth. Vigorous brushing can strip the enamel from your teeth and lead to increased sensitivity too.

The Right Amount of Brushing

You typically want to brush your teeth at least twice a day, including once in the morning and once before going to bed. Brushing first thing in the morning helps remove the scum or film that develops on your teeth, and brushing later at night is a great way to remove food particles and other debris from your teeth. Make sure that you floss at least once a day too, which removes the debris trapped between your teeth that can lead to periodontal disease.

Before making an appointment with an orthodontist to talk about Invisalign, you may want to think about how hard you brush your teeth. Using extra pressure while brushing can damage both your teeth and your gums. Some may notice that their gums bleed during regular brushing. While this can be a sign of periodontal disease, it’s also a sign that you brush your teeth too hard. Any pain that you experience during brushing may indicate that you use too much pressure.

While an orthodontist can talk with you more about braces like Invisalign, the orthodontist can also determine whether you brush your teeth too hard or too often and give you tips on better caring for your teeth and gums at home. Make an appointment today to talk with the qualified professionals working at Gorton & Schmol Orthodontics about your oral health and dental procedures.

Learn More about Orthodontia at Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics is located in Larkspur, Calif., in Marin County. There are three experts at our facility who can determine if you need to wear aligners or braces. Schedule an appointment with an orthodontist:

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

To make your orthodontic treatment more personalized or faster, you can choose to use the Acceledent or WowSmiles systems along with these devices:

• WildSmiles
• Damon Clear
• Invisalign
• Retainers

Visit Gorton and Schmol Orthodontics today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how the Invisalign system can help you.

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

Tooth brushing Mistake No.4: “Brushing Too Often or Too Hard”

wow smile patient addison

How Can Early Treatment Save Your Time, Money, and Effort?

early treatment

Early treatment for any dental issue can save you valuable time, money and effort. In fact, an ounce of prevention is worth an entire mouth of cure when it comes to dental disease. Many dental issues can be simple to fix if caught and treated early, while they can grow to be much more expensive if you wait to get treatment. Getting issues corrected in the early stages can save you from having more extensive operations and procedures such as tooth extraction and root canals. Some issues can be corrected in single visit for a low price, while neglected can grow to be a mouth-wide problem resulting in the need for thousands of dollars of corrective repairs and treatments.

Tooth Decay

Perhaps the most well-known issue affecting teeth in both children and adults is dental decay. At its most basic form, decay is the growth of dental bacteria that cause holes and damage to the outer layers of your teeth. This damage can often be corrected by your dental care provider, with a simple excavation of deteriorated tooth surfaces and replacement with filling material, or bonding. If treatment isn’t initiated early on however, the damage can even affect neighboring teeth and end up costing a lot more money. Orthodontists are most experienced in such issues and should be consulted for moderate and advanced cases of dental decay.

Having your cavities fixed early on will definitely save you money, as a repair for minor cavities may cost less than a few hundred, whereas major dental repairs can cost patients thousands of dollars. Some of these repairs, such as root canals, will require multiple visits to your orthodontist, consuming a lot of your valuable time. Tooth loss will cost you more than time and money, though, you will also require more effort to keep your teeth in good condition, as repaired teeth may need follow-up care for months or years to come. For example, a root canal to seal off damaged teeth at the root can require two or three treatment sessions per tooth due to the lengthy process of drilling and sealing nerve spaces within the tooth.

Alignment Issues Need Treatment

Some dental issues can cause misalignment, as can the natural tooth formation in children who have under- or overbites. To correct alignment issues, most orthodontists recommend either braces or another treatment option. These tools that keep your teeth in alignment can easily be seen as preventive or early treatment because without god alignment you will face problems such as Temporal Mandibular Joint Disorder, or TMJ.

Temporal Mandibular Joint Disorder

Our orthodontists can address your TMJ issues such as pain when chewing and clicking and popping within the jaw. These issues can start from misaligned teeth and other orthodontic problems such as extra bony growth. Many of these problems can be corrected early on and you can prevent the pain of TMJ altogether. For those already suffering from TMJ symptoms, you can prohibit the problem from growing worse simply by coming in for treatment early on.

Braces for TMJ and Other Alignment Issues

Braces are the traditional solution for all alignment issues, they have been around for over 100 years in nearly modern form, and therefore are an excellent time-tested solution for those who have teeth out of place. They can fix TMJ pain because they correct teeth into their proper positions, allowing the jaw the rest in a more comfortable setting. You should bring in your children for evaluation as soon as they have developed permanent teeth, so that any misalignment issues can be addressed early on. This will help you save money and prevent trips to the orthodontic center later on. Don’t try to be the judge of whether your own child needs corrective treatment, as many issues are subtle in early stages. Your orthodontist will be able to detect these issues at the very primary stages to save you money in the long-run.

Invisalign, Is It Right For Me?

Many patients want to know more about the Invisalign products, and for good reason. These products allow patients to correct their teeth into the right posture and setting without anyone seeing the dental equipment, as it is nearly invisible. As you may have seen on TV or other advertising, this is a clear plastic piece you simply set over your teeth and allow to straighten your smile. You will need to come in occasionally to get a new The mouth piece custom made for you, as progressive is made in your orthodontic hygiene.


As to whether Invisalign is better than traditional treatment or not is up to the patient. With this option you will simply need to replace your product every couple of weeks instead of having to come in and get your brace wires adjusted, or new bands installed. Depending on your insurance status and a few other factors, this can be comparable to traditional treatment, in terms of price. Having this more modern treatment can actually help you prevent costlier treatment in the future, as misaligned teeth can cause problems with your bite that lasts for years or may even require surgery. This can include TMJ and under-bite, or overbite, as well as grinding of the teeth. Come in for a consultation and let us help you decide which option is best for you. For many patients who have the opportunity this is the better option, while some patients prefer the look and cost-effectiveness of traditional wire-based treatment.

Learn More about Orthodontia at Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics is located in Larkspur, Calif., in Marin County. There are three experts at our facility who can determine if you need to wear aligners or braces. Schedule an appointment with an orthodontist:

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

To make your orthodontic treatment more personalized or faster, you can choose to use the Acceledent or WowSmiles systems along with these devices:

• WildSmiles
• Damon Clear
• Invisalign
• Retainers

Visit Gorton and Schmol Orthodontics today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how the Invisalign system can help you.

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

How Can Early Treatment Save Your Time, Money, and Effort?

Tooth brushing Mistake No.3: “Not Brushing Often Enough or Long Enough” 2

Tooth brushing Mistake No.3: “Not Brushing Often Enough or Long Enough”

tooth brush

Are you taking too little time to brush your pearly whites? Although your orthodontist can perfect your smile with braces and invisalign, the health of your teeth is just as important as the appearance. Brushing often enough and long enough keeps your teeth healthy and strong.

How Often Should I Brush?

It is ideal to brush your teeth at least twice per day, in the morning when you wake up, and again at night before you go to bed. People with invisalign or braces often like to brush more often to remove food particles, but brushing immediately after a meal is not recommended. Acidic foods and drinks are damaging to the tooth, and brushing too soon after eating or drinking can remove some of the weakened enamel. If you’ve just eaten, wait for at least 30 minutes before you brush your teeth.

How Long Should I Brush For?

Thoroughly brushing your teeth should take at least two minutes. This equates to one minute for each row of teeth. For people who find it difficult to brush for that long, a timer or a self-timed electric toothbrush helps you to gauge the time you’ve spent brushing. Your orthodontist can make excellent recommendations for an electronic toothbrush to fit your specific needs.

Healthy Teeth Make Beautiful Smiles

Clean, healthy teeth are the foundations of smiles that WOW! As you think about how often and how long to brush your teeth, the number “two” can help you to remember:
• brush at least twice a day
• brush for at least two minutes each time

 

Learn More about Orthodontia at Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics is located in Larkspur, Calif., in Marin County. There are three experts at our facility who can determine if you need to wear aligners or braces. Schedule an appointment with an orthodontist:

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

To make your orthodontic treatment more personalized or faster, you can choose to use the Acceledent or WowSmiles systems along with these devices:

• WildSmiles
• Damon Clear
• Invisalign
• Retainers

Visit Gorton and Schmol Orthodontics today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how the Invisalign system can help you.

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

Tooth brushing Mistake No.3: “Not Brushing Often Enough or Long Enough”

Tooth brushing Mistake No.2: “Not Picking the Right Bristles“ 3

Tooth brushing Mistake No.2: “Not Picking the Right Bristles“

brush your teeth

You and your family might be careful about brushing and flossing daily, avoiding sugary drinks and eating sweets in moderation. You might have considered visiting the orthodontist and taking your children there as well to ensure that they have unforgettable smiles and healthier teeth thanks to Invisalign braces. You think you’re doing everything right, so it may come as a shock to realize that you’re doing something wrong, and that something might be using the wrong toothbrush. More specifically, you and your family might be using the wrong type of bristles.

Picking the Right Toothbrush

Making the situation even more confusing is the enormous variety of toothbrushes available. You might wonder how you could possibly choose the right bristles given the number of choices.  For most people, soft bristles are the best choice. This can be particularly important if you have braces or other cosmetic dentistry work because harder bristles can scratch or otherwise damage it. Soft bristles are also gentler on gums, so for someone who has receding gums or a tendency toward gum disease, soft bristles may be best. Some people may even need extra-soft bristles.

People who are concerned that soft or extra-soft bristles do not get teeth as clean or remove food as effectively as hard-bristled toothbrushes need not worry. Soft bristles are just as good at keeping teeth clean.  This raises the question of why medium and hard-bristled are available at all if they are not recommended. These types of brushes may have limited uses. People with dentures may prefer them, or they may help some in cleaning hard-to-reach places if used gently.

Learn More about Orthodontia at Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics is located in Larkspur, Calif., in Marin County. There are three experts at our facility who can determine if you need to wear aligners or braces. Schedule an appointment with an orthodontist:

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

To make your orthodontic treatment more personalized or faster, you can choose to use the Acceledent or WowSmiles systems along with these devices:

• WildSmiles
• Damon Clear
• Invisalign
• Retainers

Visit Gorton and Schmol Orthodontics today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how the Invisalign system can help you.

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

Tooth brushing Mistake No.2: “Not Picking the Right Bristles“

Toothbrushing Mistake No.1: “Not Using the Right Toothbrush” 4

Toothbrushing Mistake No.1: “Not Using the Right Toothbrush”

toothbrush

What to Consider Before Buying a Toothbrush

If you simply grab any toothbrush while at the store, then you are making a big mistake while caring for your teeth. By using the wrong toothbrush, it is possible to leave food stuck between your teeth or damage your teeth’s enamel. There are hundreds of styles of toothbrushes available, and you must consider these features when selecting one:

  • Handle length and diameter
  • Size of the toothbrush’s head
  • Soft, medium or hard bristles
  • Type of material

If you have a small mouth, then choose a toothbrush with a smaller head and shorter handle length. Someone with sensitive gums should use a toothbrush with soft bristles to avoid abrading their tissue. Look closely at a toothbrush’s materials to determine if it contains fibers or chemicals that you are allergic to.

Choose a High-Quality Toothbrush

When you visit an orthodontist for an evaluation, they may recommend wearing braces or Invisalign aligners to repair wide spaces between your teeth. You should ask about the best type of toothbrush to use on braces to avoid damaging brackets or wires. You can remove aligners two times a day to brush and floss your teeth, but using a high-quality toothbrush can help to prevent bad breath and cavities during your orthodontic treatment.

Learn More about Orthodontia at Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics is located in Larkspur, Calif., in Marin County. There are three experts at our facility who can determine if you need to wear aligners or braces. Schedule an appointment with an orthodontist:

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

To make your orthodontic treatment more personalized or faster, you can choose to use the Acceledent or WowSmiles systems along with these devices:

• WildSmiles
• Damon Clear
• Invisalign
• Retainers

Visit Gorton and Schmol Orthodontics today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how the Invisalign system can help you.

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

Toothbrushing Mistake No.1: “Not Using the Right Toothbrush”

Orthodontic Fact #9 Irregularities of the teeth is one of the earliest writings about dental deformities, written by Hippocrates in 400 BC 5

Orthodontic Fact #9 Irregularities of the teeth is one of the earliest writings about dental deformities, written by Hippocrates in 400 BC

hippocrates

Who was Hippocrates and How Did He Understand Misalignments of the Teeth?

Hippocrates was a physician in ancient Greece who wrote about orthodontic deformities to help inform other individuals. Long ago, there were few treatments available to correct teeth irregularities such as overcrowding or wide spaces. Fortunately, you can visit an orthodontist today to learn about treatments such as Invisalign aligners and traditional metal braces. Instead of having to cope with malocclusions of the teeth because there is no understanding of how to repair the problems, you can have a complete examination with medical images to determine the orthodontic treatment you need to have a perfect bite and smile.

An Examination Will Determine the Best Orthodontic Treatment for You

After an examination from an orthodontist, you will learn your options for treatment during a consultation. For severe malocclusions, you will need to wear some type of sturdy braces that are made of wire or ceramic materials that are placed on the front or backs of your teeth to apply pressure. This type of orthodontic care requires having the wires tightened on a regular basis to shift teeth into correct positions. This variety of treatment usually requires two to four years because it is designed to improve major misalignments. Alternatively, an adult or teenager with mild to moderate malocclusions can wear Invisalign aligners.

Schedule Your First Orthodontic Appointment Today

There are several types of orthodontia available to repair your teeth, including:

• AcceleDent – increases tooth movement
• Braces with colors – color brackets and wires
• Invisalign – made of durable plastic
• Damon Clear – tieless and difficult to see

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics of Larkspur, Calif., offers a variety of treatments to straighten teeth with the assistance of these experts:
• Dr. Bill Schmohl
• Dr. Jasmine Gorton

Anyone living in Marin County can call Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics to schedule an appointment at 415-459-8006.

Orthodontic Fact #8 Statistically speaking, over 1 million Americans over the age of 18 consult orthodontic clinics to help align their teeth 6

Orthodontic Fact #8 Statistically speaking, over 1 million Americans over the age of 18 consult orthodontic clinics to help align their teeth

orthodontics

Braces are not just for kids! Contrary to popular belief, many adults get orthodontic evaluations to find out if treatment is recommended. Problems range from teeth that are misaligned or missing to an overbite or underbite, along with other dental issues. Although more children are being fitted with dental appliances than ever before, those over the age of eighteen also are increasingly consulting orthodontists for several important reasons.

Professional Image

Young adults who enter college or a trade generally become more aware of their professional image. In pursuing a career path, they want to look their best and feel confident. An orthodontist will evaluate dental issues and recommend a treatment plan if needed. In a relatively short period, patients will look and feel their best as dental problems are resolved.

Advanced Techniques

Gone are the days of gooey dental impressions for aligners and retainers. Advanced orthodontic practices include the use of a light scanner that can take precise impressions of a patient’s mouth that are used to make dental appliances. Invisalign treatment uses natural-looking braces that are hard to be seen by others, eliminating possible awkwardness during treatment. On the other hand, vibrantly-colored wires and brackets have become fashion statements for the young at heart. Orthodontic treatment has never been more stylish.

Convenience and Affordability

Your orthodontist will work with your schedule and lifestyle needs during treatment to make appointments that are convenient and timely without taking a huge bite out of a busy day. The cost may be covered in part by some types of dental insurance, and affordable payment arrangements can be made to fit within most budgets.

If you have dental problems that might benefit from advanced orthodontic treatment like Invisalign, contact Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics to schedule an exam and evaluation. Find out about various procedures that could help to make your smile the best ever.

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics

900 Larkspur Landing Circle, Suite 200 Larkspur, California 94939
Phone 415-459-8006

Orthodontic Fact #8 Statistically speaking, over 1 million Americans over the age of 18 consult orthodontic clinics to help align their teeth

Orthodontic Fact #6 The first braces were of a piece of flat metal in 1720. 7

Orthodontic Fact #6 The first braces were of a piece of flat metal in 1720.

braces

Align and straighten. That’s exactly what dental braces have been designed to do. In fact, the first pair were invented in the early 1700s, consisting only a piece of flat metal connected to the patient’s teeth by using several pieces of thread. Talk about a rustic look. Orthodontics has advanced significantly during that time, and today, achieving a healthy, Hollywood smile is within reach for people of all ages.

Causes of Imperfect Smiles

Malocclusion is the fancy medical term used by the orthodontist to describe teeth that are crooked or out of position. It’s not usually anyone’s fault. Often times, genetics play a role. Maybe your small jaw produced large, crowded teeth, or just the opposite with small teeth that drift inside a larger jaw. As a toddler, you may have sucked your thumb or had a pacifier in your mouth for too long, pushing teeth out of their proper position.

Whatever the case, your orthodontist is a highly trained professional whose mission is to align and straighten each patient’s teeth. What’s most encouraging are the wonderful advances in orthodontic materials and technology for braces.

Traditional Metal VS Modern Clear

Traditional metal wires with metal brackets are still useful in straightening teeth with more complicated orthodontic issues. Clear plastic aligners by Invisalign, however, have revolutionized the way in which we wear braces. They are removable, and almost invisible while wearing them, more comfortable and able to straighten teeth quicker than their old-fashioned silver cousins.

Invisible Aligners Go Ivy League

Invisalign has made such an impact to the profession of the modern orthodontist, that prestigious Harvard University began requiring its orthodontic grad students complete Invisalign certification before they received their diploma.

The highly skilled experts at Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics can put everything into proper perspective, especially your smile. Make an appointment today!

Orthodontic Fact #5 Improve your dental health in style. Many teens today fashion their dental braces with colored bands and brackets. Braces are now worn as a fashion statement 8

Orthodontic Fact #5 Improve your dental health in style. Many teens today fashion their dental braces with colored bands and brackets. Braces are now worn as a fashion statement

fashion

Dental braces can put the finishing touch on a person’s sense of style. For many teens today, getting fitted with wires and brackets provides the chance to make a fashion statement by maximizing their distinctive dental look. Although some prefer to get Invisalign treatment, which is clear and almost impossible for observers to see, other teens choose the flashiest colors available to showcase their orthodontic procedures.

School colors.

Students who are actively involved with school activities often choose brackets and wires in their school colors. They are thrilled to show school spirit on a daily basis in classes and at sports events. If they tire of them, they can choose other colors at their next orthodontic adjustment, so they never have to be bored.

Favorite shades.

Some teens select favorite personal colors or experiment with shades that go with many of their outfits. They enjoy the opportunity to coordinate a fashionable ensemble by including their braces as part of the overall image in colors they prefer and feel comfortable with. An orthodontist can display several to choose from.

Popular hues.

With numerous popular colors available and more new shades coming out all the time, teenagers can experiment with neon hues, sparkly designs, and even gold-plated wires. Whatever is hot at the moment will attract a certain number of teens. One thing is for sure – orthodontia will never be boring again!

If you have teeth that are tipped or missing, or if you are experiencing jaw pain or dental malformation, you may want to consult an orthodontist for an evaluation. While Invisalign may be your preference to keep treatment confidential, you can also choose from a full array of wire colors. Contact Gorton & Schmohl for more information about how your smile can be transformed so that you can look better than ever while attracting admiration for your beautiful smile.

Orthodontic Fact #4 Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to lose all your teeth before you get braces. In fact, treatments can start at the young age of 7 9

Orthodontic Fact #4 Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to lose all your teeth before you get braces. In fact, treatments can start at the young age of 7

braces

There is the common misconception that a child needs to lose all of his or her baby teeth before the use of traditional metal braces is possible. It is true that orthodontists used to recommend that orthodontic treatment begin when the child is a teenager. However, this is no longer the case. It is now possible for children as young as seven years of age to safely receive orthodontic treatment with the use of braces. It is common for children to have permanent teeth erupt at that age.

The importance of straight teeth

As a parent, it is imperative that you do everything within your power to ensure that your children have straight teeth as they enter into adulthood. This will make it much easier for them to chew foods that are hard. They will also have better annunciation which will allow them to speak more clearly.

A special type of orthodontist

It is important to understand that not all orthodontists will have the necessary skills to provide adequate treatment for your child. You will need to find someone who has a great deal of experience working with children who have a combination of permanent and primary teeth. This will be the only way to totally ensure that your child gets the best care possible.

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics

Dr. Bill Schmohl and Dr. Jasmine Gorton have helped many children around the Larkspur, California area to get the straight teeth and the attractive smile that every person should have. Therefore, you should consider their services if you are looking for an orthodontist for your child. They will give you all the necessary info regarding what exactly is involved with using braces or Invisalign for your child’s orthodontic treatment. Invisalign aligners are preferable to many children because they can be easily removed. Find out more information about these orthodontists, take a virtual tour of their office or make an appointment.