News with tag bracket

Whether you’re 14 or 40, getting braces always takes some getting used to. At North Road Dental Clinic we especially want to emphasize how important it is to carefully clean around your fixed orthodontic appliances each day. Here are a few basics you should be aware of: Brush Between Your Bracket and Next to the Gums Plaque tends to accumulate the most around fixed brackets, because of the extra time they take to clean and the added number of surfaces to attach to. The most important areas to pay attention to are between each bracket (under the wire) and between the bracket and the gumlines. You may find that it’s best to aim your brush one direction, clean across your mouth, then aim it another way and come back over it again. Special tufted brushes and electric toothbrushes can make these areas easier to clean more efficiently. Floss Daily (Water Flossers Work Too!) Brushing only does so much. You’ll also need to clean between your teeth where they touch side by side. A floss threader or water flosser is ideal. With a threader, simply manoeuvre the floss under the wire and then wrap it around the side of your tooth in a “C” shape before gently rubbing up and down along the side and just below the gumlines. Supplement with Fluoride A fluoride rinse or gel can help keep tooth enamel strong, especially in areas that may tend to demineralize when plaque sets around your braces for very long. Ask our Carnegie dentists about the type of fluoride that will work best for your situation. By the time you make your new oral hygiene habits a part of your daily schedule, it will nearly be time to get your brackets and wires removed. Talk to our Carnegie dentists if you have any other questions on how to take care of your braces.

You might be thinking, “I’m too old to get braces,” or “I’ll look silly if I see an orthodontist at my age.” But did you know that there are dozens of reasons why getting orthodontic treatment as an adult is one of the best things you can do for yourself? Here are just a few to consider: Help Your Teeth Function More Efficiently Are you starting to see your teeth wear down? Sharp, uneven edges or broken dental restorations may be due to uneven biting pressure in key areas of your mouth. Our Carnegie dentists can check your occlusion (bite) to see where these pressure points are, and discuss whether or not braces can help. Lower Your Chances of Tooth Decay Crowded and crooked teeth are more likely to develop cavities than their straight counterparts are. Even if you brush routinely, these areas can be skipped over with your toothbrush bristles and tend to harbor more bacteria, which leads us to the next point… Reduce Your Risk of Gum Disease Like tooth decay, misaligned teeth are usually the first ones to succumb to gum disease (periodontitis.) Some dentists and periodontists consider orthodontic therapy to be a valuable tool in periodontal treatment plans. At North Road Dental Clinic, we offer orthodontic consultations for adults and children alike. If you’re thinking about getting braces and live in the Carnegie area, we invite you to schedule a visit today!

You’ve finally replaced that missing tooth! Your new dental bridge looks and feels great, and you want it to stay that way. But just like the rest of your smile, our Carnegie dentists want you to take great care of your bridge so that it can last for several years. Here’s what you need to know when it comes to bridge care and maintenance: Clean Underneath Your Bridge Daily — Use a floss aid such as a threader, tufted proxa-brush, or a water flosser to clean underneath your bridge. Take care to focus on the sides of your supporting teeth, as these areas are especially prone to collecting plaque build-up. Brush Along the Margin Where Your Bridge Touches the Gums — There’s a small amount of tooth enamel exposed, where your bridge tapers off and just above your gumlines. If not cleaned properly, it can start to decay (allowing cavities to seep under the bridge, making it come loose.) Brush gently along the gumlines daily, but don’t scrub too hard as it could cause your tissues to pull back. Let Us Know if Something Feels Odd — You know your mouth better than anyone. If you’re biting down or chewing and something doesn’t feel quite right, you need to let our Carnegie dentists know. Your mouth can pick up on the tiniest of changes, even if it’s just fractions of a millimetre. Like in any area of your mouth, this is a warning sign that you should always be on the lookout for. Schedule an Exam, Scale and Polish Every Six Months — During your visit, we’ll make sure everything looks as it ought to. This includes taking periodic X-rays to inspect areas that are deeper under the bridge, so that any recurrent tooth decay can be intercepted as early as possible. Call North Road Dental Clinic today to schedule!