Words of Wisdom No.9: “Brush Your Teeth When You First Get Out of Bed and Before You Get Back In at Night“ 1

Words of Wisdom No.9: “Brush Your Teeth When You First Get Out of Bed and Before You Get Back In at Night“

bed

If you currently do not brush your teeth every morning and night, your oral health may suffer in the future. Preventive care means being responsible for the health of your teeth and gums. Even though it may seem like an unwanted chore, it only takes a few minutes to brush your teeth twice a day. The results may reveal less cavities and stronger teeth. If you wear braces, you need to brush two times a day.

Avoid Plaque Build-up in Your Mouth

Plaque is an arch enemy of good oral health. If you do not brush your teeth before you go to bed, you are not eliminating the plaque build-up taking place in your mouth throughout the day. If you avoid brushing your teeth in the morning when you first get out of bed, you risk skipping the event until bedtime. One reason why it is important to brush your teeth in the morning is because you need to get rid of bacteria and plaque remaining in your mouth while you sleep. If you wear Invisalign braces, you still need to brush twice a day.

Do Not Brush Your Teeth Right After Eating Drinking Citrus Juice

If you drink a glass of orange juice or grapefruit juice in the morning, you should not brush your teeth right away. You could brush the acidic fruit juice onto your teeth and Invisalign braces. A good habit is to brush your teeth when you wake up and then rinse your mouth with an oral antiseptic mouthwash after eating breakfast.

Ask Your Orthodontist about Which Type of Toothbrush to Use

If you are not sure whether to use a manual or electric toothbrush, ask your orthodontist for professional advice. One thing to remember is that most orthodontists recommend brushing the teeth with a soft toothbrush. Make an appointment with Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics today.

Words of Wisdom No.8: “Practice Flossing with Your Eyes Shut“ 2

Words of Wisdom No.8: “Practice Flossing with Your Eyes Shut“

flossing

Braces are an orthodontic treatment that can greatly improve the appearance of the teeth. However, if you don’t take care of the teeth while the braces are worn, then there won’t be as much of an improvement as desired. Invisalign is an option for those who want to be able to eat the foods that they enjoy while still getting the straight teeth as a result of the orthodontic treatment. One of the things that is essential when caring for the teeth is flossing.

All About Flossing

While you are flossing the teeth, consider doing so with your eyes closed. This will force your hand to examine the teeth and gums while you are using the floss. It can help to get the string around each tooth instead of looking in a mirror while flossing only the areas that you can see. The orthodontist can show you how to floss in this manner so that you get the best results. Invisalign makes this a little easier as you can remove the tray from the mouth while cleaning the teeth.

There are a few benefits of flossing the teeth that your orthodontist might not tell you about. One of the reasons to floss your teeth is to keep your teeth in your mouth. This might seem like something that couldn’t happen, but if you don’t floss between the teeth, there is bacteria that can build. This can create tartar. It can soon lead to gingivitis, which can cause loose teeth if it’s not taken care of as soon as possible. When you floss, you remove the bacteria that is between the teeth. Live bacteria can get into the bloodstream through the gums. This bacteria can lead to heart disease and other conditions that could easily be avoided if you floss on a regular basis.

To learn more about how to properly care for your teeth, Invisalign or braces, contact an orthodontist at Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics in Larkspur to schedule an appointment!

Words of Wisdom No. 7 - Stay Fresh 3

Words of Wisdom No. 7 – Stay Fresh

fresh food

Our grandmothers always told us to stay fresh when going out in public by wearing clean clothing and brushing our teeth. You can also stay fresh by making sure that your teeth are straight and strong by wearing braces that are designed by an expert orthodontist. If you are an adult with crooked teeth that cause a feeling of embarrassment, then learn about the benefits of clear Invisalign aligners. Clear aligners are perfect for mild to moderate malocclusions of your teeth, especially the ones toward the front of the mouth. These soft and comfortable devices are easy to wear for most of the day, and other people do not see these items inside your mouth.

Orthodontic Treatment can improve Your Overall Appearance

There are other types of braces that help you to keep a fresh appearance by reducing the wide spaces between your teeth. While traditional silver metal bracket and wire devices are still an affordable option, you can opt to wear self-ligating or ceramic orthodontia devices instead. It is possible for young children to undergo orthodontic treatment to ensure permanent teeth erupt into the correct positions, but more adults are choosing to keep fresh by improving their smile. Visiting an orthodontist is an important way to improve your overall health by correcting a bad bite that causes jaw pain.

Schedule an Appointment Today

An important part of orthodontic treatment is getting a natural and individualized smile. A knowledgeable orthodontist understands how to look at a patient’s facial anatomy to determine the best type of braces for their teeth, including:

• Invisalign aligners
• Damon devices
• Color brackets and wires

At Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics in Larkspur, Calif., patients are able to receive treatment from two experts:

• Dr. Bill Schmohl
• Dr. Jasmine Gorton

Schedule an appointment with an online form or telephone call to 415-459-8006.

Words of Wisdom No.5 - Gargle with apple cider vinegar 4

Words of Wisdom No.5 – Gargle with apple cider vinegar

apple cider vingear

Braces are a way to straighten the teeth and are applied by an orthodontist. There are a few things that need to be done in order to keep the teeth as clean as possible and to decrease the amount of bacteria that might hide in the mouth as a result of the braces being on the teeth. An option is Invisalign as this is a tray that is placed in the mouth that straightens the teeth instead of brackets. The orthodontist will take a mold of the teeth before creating the Invisalign braces. However, the mouth still needs to stay as clean as possible, and gargling with apple cider vinegar can help.

Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Although vinegar might not sound like it would be pleasant, apple cider vinegar can help freshen the breath. You only need about a teaspoon in order to begin seeing the difference in the way the breath smells. The vinegar can be mixed with water so that it’s not as potent and to decrease some of the strong flavors. You can use the vinegar each day after brushing the teeth. It can be used as a mouthwash, or you can gargle with it so that it helps to cleanse the throat as well.

A benefit of using the vinegar is that it can kill bacteria in the mouth and the throat. This can help to keep the teeth and gums healthy not only while the orthodontic treatment is being used, but after the orthodontic treatment is completed. The vinegar can break down plaque that might form on the gum and the edges of the teeth. It can also help clean in between the teeth as brushing sometimes doesn’t get to these areas.

Contact Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics for more information about orthodontic treatment and the added benefits of using natural substances for cleaning the mouth.

Words of Wisdom No.4 - Eat cleansing foods 5

Words of Wisdom No.4 – Eat cleansing foods

foods

For the ultimate natural and long-term sustainability mouth care maintenance, eat cleansing foods. These are foods that will protect your teeth whether you currently have or have had braces or invisalign. Caring for your teeth should be a top priority because a beautiful smile can make your day and the day of everyone around you even brighter.

Drinks

Certain drinks can help to promote good health in your teeth. Green tea will help to fight against gum disease, plaque and cavities. Milk and yogurt are high in calcium and low in acidity making them dual protectors and enforcers of your smile. Water is also an important drink for your teeth care routine. It helps to rinse away food particles, and it also promotes saliva which is essential in preventing tooth decay.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables help your teeth both externally and internally. Apples and fruits with seed are excellent ways to clean and whiten your teeth naturally. The seeds and fibrous flesh act as abrasives that safely remove stains. Broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and celery can also help to clean your teeth and gums. Many orange vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin and sweet potatoes assist in creating tooth enamel.

A Few Surprises

Sesame seeds also help to promote tooth enamel. Fresh herbs such as cilantro, mint and parsley can act as a natural breath freshener. Cheese fights against cavities. Raw onion will help to kill certain varieties of bacteria. And, whole grains are good for your gums.

As any good orthodontist will tell you, natural food sources are the perfect tooth care compliment to braces or invisalign. They are a spectacular way to protect your teeth and for the overall good health of your mouth. For more information pertaining to the treatment of teeth during and after your orthodontist treatments, contact Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics to schedule an appointment.

Words of Wisdom No.2 - Chuck your toothbrush 6

Words of Wisdom No.2 – Chuck your toothbrush

toothbrush

We brush our teeth to keep them clean, but what we often don’t think about how many germs are lurking on our toothbrush. Our mouths are full of bacteria; any time a toothbrush is used, these microorganisms can contaminate the toothbrush.

Replace Your Toothbrush Often

A professional orthodontist, who is responsible for helping patients to straighten their teeth, recommends throwing away toothbrushes often. Because viruses and bacteria can linger on toothbrushes for months, you should replace your toothbrush at least every three months or more often if any of the following occur:

  • Anyone accidentally uses or borrows your toothbrush
  • After having the cold or flu
  • When bristles become frayed or worn out

Clean Your Toothbrush Often

In addition to replacing your toothbrush often, it needs to be kept clean. Many people mistake rinsing their toothbrush off after use as a means to properly clean it. Because of the viruses and bacteria that toothbrushes have, they should be deep cleaned at least once a week. To properly clean a toothbrush, simply:

  • Rinse it thoroughly after each use
  • Soak it in mouthwash or run it through the dishwasher
  • Store it upright in a cup or rack to allow it to aerate and dry properly

There are also toothbrush cleaners available for purchase that use ultraviolet light to kill bacteria from the bristles of the toothbrush.

If you currently have braces or are using Invisalign to straighten your teeth, it is especially important to keep your toothbrush clean and to throw it away often. Food particles may get stuck in braces that can lead to tooth decay. These germs can easily be transferred to a toothbrush.

After you have finished treatment with your orthodontist, you will want to keep your new, straight smile clean and decay-free by brushing often and keeping germs away by cleaning your toothbrush and replacing it often.

Contact Us Today

If you have questions or concerns about your or your child’s teeth, or if you would like to get started on a plan for braces or Invisalign, call Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics today so we can get started on your new smile.

Words of Wisdom No.10: “Conceal with Color“ 7

Words of Wisdom No.10: “Conceal with Color“

color

Most women are taught how to conceal their facial or body flaws with color such as wearing dark colors, including black or navy blue to look slimmer. Models who are trying to sell makeup to consumers often wear bright red lipstick to make their teeth look whiter. A teenager who needs to wear braces can choose a new variety that offers different colors of wires or brackets. Everyone has their own way of doing things, and that is one of the best things about visiting an orthodontist in today’s modern world. There are many types of orthodontia available, and in many cases, it is possible to make an individualized choice to show-off a personality.

Wear Invisible or Color-Matching Orthodontia

When someone visits an orthodontist, an examination might reveal mild to moderate misalignments that require Invisalign aligners. These devices are 100 percent clear, so the aligners do not conceal anything but are still perfect for straightening teeth and improving a smile. If someone chooses to wear traditional metal orthodontia, then the items will conceal the surfaces of teeth for two to four years. Anyone who does not want someone to notice their braces can request lingual devices that are worn on the backs of teeth or color-matching ceramic materials.

Contact Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics for an Appointment

Anyone lucky enough to live in or near Larkspur, Calif., should schedule an appointment with Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics to learn about braces. They can have an examination from either:

• Dr. Jasmine Gorton
• Dr. Bill Schmohl

After an examination with medical imaging, patients are given their options about orthodontic treatment such as:

• Invisalign – plastic devices that are worn on the teeth
• Damon devices – self-ligating mechanisms
• Ceramic brackets – color-matching materials

Make a telephone call to 415-459-8006 or complete an online form to schedule an appointment at Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics.