Should I get braces before my wedding? Weddings often bring to light things that a person has always wanted to change, and you may suddenly find yourself worrying about the appearance of your smile. While you have likely gotten used to your crooked or misaligned teeth over the years, the realization that your smile will be immortalized for posterity in your wedding album may leave you dealing with some serious fears. In this post, we’re going to tell you super things to consider on the lead-up to your wedding day. Let’s dive right in.
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What constitutes the individual parts of braces? Getting braces is more exciting than it ever has been before. Not only can you get to do things such as choose the colors of the bands that you wear, but you may also have the chance to pick from several different types of appliances. While there is more than one way to straighten teeth, braces are still the go-to method in the field of orthodontics. They are the ideal choice because the different components can all be altered in various ways to do things such as pull teeth closer together or apart while also aligning the top and bottom jaws.
https://marinortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/puzzle-3223941_640.jpg388640Dr Gortonhttps://marinortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/logo-bird-on-side-300x78.pngDr Gorton2019-11-09 16:13:162019-11-09 18:00:26Ever Wondered What the Individual Parts of Braces Do? | 7 FACTS
You know how important your teeth are. You are faithful about flossing every day and brushing after every meal. You see your dental hygienist and visit the dentist’s office when you should. You eat the right kind of foods as well, such as kiwi, to protect your teeth from decay. No matter how well you take care of oral hygiene, orthodontic issues can still get in the way. If you are dealing with spacing problems, an overbite, or an underbite, an orthodontist can help.
Learn About Your Treatment Options
When you hear the word orthodontist, you think braces. There have been many advances in the field, providing you with more options. You don’t have to go the route of traditional braces with metal brackets and wires. You can consider Invisalign. Invisalign allows you to wear aligners that are clear at least 22 hours a day. They are custom-made for you and will shift your teeth into the proper position over time. The treatment time and cost is similar to traditional methods. Many patients prefer the clear aligners because they are removable and no one notices them while you are wearing them.
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.
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
Feeling good about your smile is a great incentive for smiling more often. Smiling is a simple facial expression that brightens your face at least a few times a day. You may even smile without thinking about it when you have a happy thought or pass a heart-warming scene.
Crooked or badly spaced teeth may make you feel self-conscious. Instead of hiding your smile behind tightly closed lips or a shielding hand, consider orthodontic treatment. Our orthodontist offers braces and Invisalign, both great options that can straighten your teeth beautifully and give you a smile that you are proud to share.
The Power of a Smile
When you smile, your brain lights up with activity. Your body is flooded with a number of hormones and chemicals, including:
Neuropeptides, which allow neurons to communicate more effectively
Endorphins, which are natural pain relievers
Serotonin and dopamine, which are feel-good chemicals that combat bad moods
Within moments of smiling, your heart rate and blood pressure can slow, and your whole body will feel more relaxed.
People also see you differently when you smile, but attractiveness is just one part of the picture. One study found that looking at smiling faces activates the reward center in your brain. Smiling people are perceived as more reliable, sincere and approachable.
The Benefits of a Healthy Smile
Fixing your smile can give you even more reasons to smile. Braces are often used to manage complex bite and alignment problems. Invisalign can be used for most minor to moderate issues, and they use clear aligners for more discreet treatment. Along with all the benefits of smiling, orthodontic treatment can allow you to enjoy other benefits as well, including:
Less stress on the TMJ
Evenly distributed bite forces
Less risk of decay
Easier to clean teeth
Less risk of gum disease
Contact us today to learn more about your orthodontic treatment options or to schedule an appointment with our orthodontist at Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics.
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Ask any American orthodontist, and they will speculate that most people begin brushing their teeth in the same spot every time. If this brushing technique sounds familiar to you, then you could be doing your teeth a disservice. Starting in the same place each time prevents your teeth from getting the full range of attention that they need.
Why You Should Switch Up Your Brushing Routine
When you always start brushing in the same spot, you always end in the same spot. It is normal for people to get bored with brushing before they have finished cleaning every surface. Boredom usually leads to lazily brushing those last few teeth. This means that your typical end point always receives the same amount of attention — less than what the rest of your mouth gets.
Beginning to brush in a different place corrects this problem, even if you do get careless by the end of a brushing session. Over time, the superior focus that you begin with offsets any attempts on other areas of your mouth. Although rotating your starting point is beneficial, you should also try to remain aware of where you’ve brushed and where you want to brush next. Brushing this way ensures a better clean, which is especially important if you have braces or wear invisalign.
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:
Tooth brushing Mistake No.6: “Starting in the Same Place Each Time”
https://marinortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Marin6-April2016.jpg600800Dr Gortonhttps://marinortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/logo-bird-on-side-300x78.pngDr Gorton2016-06-02 10:00:002019-09-24 10:22:34Tooth brushing Mistake No.6: “Starting in the Same Place Each Time”
Correct brushing technique is very important in keeping a healthy, clean smile. It also keeps dental disease away, ensuring that cavity-causing bacteria are removed from your teeth at least twice per day. It’s important to brush using the correct method, timing, frequency. because not brushing correctly can cause many problems. These problems include dental disease ranging from gingivitis to cavities, and even tooth loss.
The Right Amount of Brushing
Proper brushing involves brushing your teeth for two minutes per session. Many children and adults do not achieve this duration, which can explain the high prevalence of gingivitis, and tooth decay. If your child is not brushing properly, their teeth may become damaged, misaligned, and even need extraction. To correct this, braces are often needed. This will keep your child’s teeth in proper alignment which will give them a great looking smile, confidence, and guard against biting and chewing problems.
Having dental equipment can make proper brushing even more important. You must pay attention to brush around all surface areas, including the spaces between your teeth. Remove any bands prior to brushing, and check a mirror to make sure there’s no food residue left in the brace-wires. Flossing will help remove and excess residue.
For those who don’t like the appearance of braces, Invisalign is a great option. Your orthodontist will make a recommendation about which is best for you, Invisalign or traditional braces. With Invisalign, you must remove the product before brushing and replace it when your teeth have been properly cleaned.
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:
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:
Tooth brushing Mistake No.4: “Brushing Too Often or Too Hard”
https://marinortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Marin4-April2016.jpg600800Dr Gortonhttps://marinortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/logo-bird-on-side-300x78.pngDr Gorton2016-05-19 10:00:002019-09-24 10:22:16Tooth brushing Mistake No.4: “Brushing Too Often or Too Hard”
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:
How Can Early Treatment Save Your Time, Money, and Effort?
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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:
Tooth brushing Mistake No.3: “Not Brushing Often Enough or Long Enough”
https://marinortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Marin3-April2016.jpg600800Dr Gortonhttps://marinortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/logo-bird-on-side-300x78.pngDr Gorton2016-05-05 10:00:002019-09-24 10:21:57Tooth brushing Mistake No.3: “Not Brushing Often Enough or Long Enough”
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: