Braces Tips

There are a lot of benefits of getting braces whether you’re an adult or a child. They are obvious advantages, such as straighter teeth. However, they also have their cons as well, such as discomfort, food limitations and additional oral care that’s needed daily. When you have crooked or crowded teeth, braces can help make everything look a lot better and help you to have less or more space between your teeth. Opting out of braces can allow bacteria and cavities to grow causing decay so it’s important to see your dentist or orthodontist to see if you’re a candidate for getting braces.

Braces can Fix Jaw Misalignment

An advantage of braces is that they can fix jaw misalignment problems such as overbite or underbite. This can be fixed by using additional wires and brackets on the teeth to train them to move in the opposite way of your bite. Which in turn, moves the teeth to a more ideal position for chewing, biting, and being less susceptible to cavities, decay and poor oral hygiene. It can also fix problems with overlapping teeth, crooked teeth or large gaps between the teeth. Teeth can become misaligned for numerous reasons, which include things like improper eating habits, sucking a thumb at an early age, teeth damage from biting, and gum disease.

Some adults have jaw disorders such as overbite or underbites, which make getting braces mandatory in order to eat, chew, talk and smile normally. For people with crooked teeth, wearing braces is more difficult and can be more uncomfortable than the traditional metal braces while the teeth shift into place. After your treatment is over it is crucial for a patient to wear the retainer given to them by their orthodontist. Not wearing your retainer gives teeth the opportunity to become misaligned again and make it more likely that they will shift or move resulting in a completely new orthodontic treatment plan to get your teeth straight again.

Bruxism Can Misalign Teeth

Bruxism is another issue that can lead to teeth misalignment. Bruxism occurs when you grind or clench your teeth while you are asleep during the night. Clenching and grinding are usually the result of stress, tension or a hard bite and should be treated with a nightguard if you’re aware that you are clenching and grinding you teeth at night.  Having a nightguard prevents the teeth from touching and in result does not allow the teeth to grind or clench. In addition, severe bruxism can also cause TMJ which can be extremely painful so it’s important to see your orthodontist if you think you may be suffering from Bruxism so you can start your orthodontic treatment and get your teeth and jaw aligned correctly to prevent any further damage to your teeth.

We Can Help!

At The Orthodontic Center of Orange County, we offer multiple different orthodontic treatments such as braces or even Invisalign to help straighten your teeth and give you a straighter and healthier smile. If you are wanting to learn more about how braces could benefit you but aren’t sure where to start- give our office a call and we will set you up with a consultation where we can go over any questions or concerns that you may have, such as which orthodontic treatment is right for you.

Sleeping without having braces is much different than sleeping with them and anyone who has ever had braces can tell you how and why. In the first few days with your new braces you might find yourself having trouble sleeping from the soreness of your gums and cheeks. This is a very common thing to go through in the beginning of orthodontic treatment. Not every patient will experience this but a majority of patients do, so there are a few things that can help ease your pain while your adjust to your new life with braces.

Pain Relievers

Our staff and orthodontists highly recommend taking acetaminophen to help reduce any pain or discomfort the braces may cause in your first few days with them. If you are in an extreme amount of pain it is recommended to take one ibuprofen (Aleve) with one acetaminophen (Tylenol Extra Strength) combined they help reduce any type of swelling and diminish any pain caused by the braces.

Cold Foods and Drinks

Cold foods and drinks provide the same effect as ice packs, popsicles and ice cream; they not only taste delicious, but can actually help ease pain by numbing your mouth and reducing overall inflammation on the gums. Always brush after eating any type of food that has a large amount of sugars to prevent any decay. Simply sucking on an ice cube or sipping on iced water for relief is always a great route to take as well if you aren’t looking to add the extra sugar into your diet.

Rinsing with Warm Salt Water

Oftentimes soreness and irritation develops along the gums and cheeks as they adapt to tightened wires and metal brackets. Rinsing with warm salt water solution will help reduce infection and alleviate soreness caused by irritation from the braces on your gums and cheeks.

Gum Massages

Massaging your gums with your fingers can actually alleviate pain, especially if your gums are swollen or irritated. Massaging the gums can help to relax the soft tissues in the mouth, and in the process your newly tightened braces feel a little bit more comfortable. For the best results try applying an ice pack to your cheeks before massaging.

If you have ever been self conscious about your smile or your teeth, had any jaw or tooth pain it may be time to consider getting braces or Invisalign. While there are so many different indicators that you may need braces, our Orthodontists will be able to go over all of your questions and concerns with a consultation at any one of our 5 locations in Orange County. Below are a couple signs that you may need braces for a healthier and happier smile.

Gaps in Teeth

Having large gaps between your teeth can be a telltale sign that you need braces in the future. Having gaps in your teeth leaves you at risk for tooth decay, jaw misalignment and eating difficulties. Food can get caught between your teeth which can cause irritation in your gums and possible infection. An infection in your gums or tooth can lead to decay and tooth loss so it’s important to speak to your Orthodontist about treatment plans as soon as possible.

Painful/Difficulty Biting

If you are having any pain or discomfort when biting down it is likely you are in need of braces. The misalignment of your teeth may be the factor to this pain and why it is uncomfortable or painful to eat sticky or hard foods. Misaligned teeth that cause pain is very common and easily fixed with either braces or Invisalign.

Pain in Jaw

If you suffer from any sort of pain or clicking in your jaw it is likely that your teeth and jaw are misaligned. While it can be easy to ignore occasional jaw pain it’s very important to bring it up to your dentist or orthodontist as soon as possible to avoid any other issues later on down the road. By simply realigning your teeth with braces or Invisalign you can eliminate jaw pain as long as there is no other underlying issue.

Crowded Teeth

Having crooked or crowded teeth is also another telltale sign that you will require braces in the future. You are at major risk for tooth decay and infection with crowded or crooked teeth because of the lack of efficient space between your teeth to properly floss.

What If I Can’t Afford Braces?

Luckily, Orthodontic Center of Orange County offers in-house payment plans for all patients whether you have good credit, bad credit or no credit at all. In-house payment plans start at only $70/month with a credit check and $99/month without a credit check for patients who may have bad or no credit. Ortho Center OC also offers financing through Care Credit and Lending Club as additional flexible financing options.

Contact Ortho Center OC for a Free Orthodontic Consultation

If you are interested in starting your journey to a healthier and more beautiful smile, contact any one of our 5 locations in Orange County for a free consultation with our Orthodontist. We are happy to sit down with you and go over all of your questions and concerns and see which orthodontic treatment would be right for you, whether that is Invisalign or Braces. Visit our website and fill out the contact form or give our office a call to schedule your complimentary consultation, today!

By correcting dental misalignments and having braces you are already on the road to a straighter smile. Going to your orthodontist appointments every few weeks isn’t always enough to keep your braces in optimal condition. Maintaining healthy oral hygiene is a huge factor in taking care of your braces to ensure that there aren’t additional problems to tackle when you have them taken off at the end of your treatment.

1. Use the Toothpaste, Floss and Mouth Wash Recommended by Your Orthodontist

Be sure to ask your orthodontist what toothpaste, floss and mouth wash will be best for you during your orthodontic treatment. It’s important to use toothpaste that will eliminate bacteria. Bacteria that is not properly cleaned can lead to cavities, halitosis or gum disease. While some brands of oral health products can contain harsh ingredients that can actually damage metal braces so it’s important go over this information with your orthodontist. Using a mouth wash after you have brushed and flossed your teeth is always recommended, but it’s important to eliminate mouth washes that have red or green colors as the dyes in those products can discolor the metal materials and elastics on your braces.

2. Brush and Floss After Eating

Brushing and flossing your teeth after eating with braces can be complicated and at times, frustrating to say the least. When brushing and flossing to rid extra food debris from your mouth you have to show extra precaution as to avoid breaking any wires or dislodging any metal brackets. Having a toothbrush with soft bristles will not harm your braces but will be very effective in removing leftover food particles hiding between your teeth. Because your teeth are covered by wires and brackets at all times during your orthodontic treatment it’s crucial to brush and floss after eating so no food particles are stuck or left behind lingering around all day. By taking the extra time to floss and brush every time after eating throughout the days you are benefiting yourself by keeping your braces clean and your teeth free from potential cavities.

3. Invest in an Oral Irrigator

Investing in an oral irrigator is well worth the expense and a great alternative and addition to flossing as it will eliminate food particles left behind or that are stuck between your teeth. An oral irrigator is a wand-like device that emits water from its attached tank. The pressure from oral irrigators will dislodge any leftover food, bacteria or plaque that is between your teeth or on your gums. While flossing with braces can be extremely time-consuming and rather frustrating, oral irrigators are an easy way to supplement flossing in to your daily routine without completely avoiding or eliminating flossing all together.

4. Don’t Eat Harmful Foods

Believe it or not, specific foods and your diet can be very impactful on your braces. While there are countless foods out there that are okay to eat and drink with braces there is also a rather large handful to avoid as well. A general rule of thumb for foods to avoid with braces include but are not limited to anything sticky, hard, tough or crunchy. It’s important to avoid any type of food that could be considered harmful to your braces, gums or tongue. Ask your orthodontic for a list of foods to avoid if you have any questions about any specific meal or foods you can eat.

5. Don’t Miss Any Appointments

Missing any scheduled appointments are futile to the longevity of your orthodontic treatment. Skipping appointment dates or rescheduling for a much later date can be harmful to your braces as the wires need to be tightened regularly. By missing those scheduled appointments your teeth will have more room to shift and move and it is almost guaranteed that your teeth will not be aligned with your treatment plan. This means you will most likely have to wear your braces for longer than first anticipated.

Whether you are wearing braces for 10 months or 2 years the results will be more successful and your teeth and braces will maintain their optimal condition by following the recommended tips above. It’s important to keep visiting your Orthodontist for your scheduled appointments and ask your doctor if you have any questions along the way. Our doctors pride themselves in giving their patients healthier and more beautiful smiles every day. If you have any questions about how you can keep your braces in optimal condition during the course of the treatment, give us a call and one of our braces specialist will be able to go over any questions or concerns that you may have.

If your parents didn’t opt for getting you braces as a child, have no fear! It’s not too late! Considering the origination of Invisalign, more and more adults are discovering the beautiful smile they have always desired and with much less embarrassment in their every day lives. Those days of smiling at your third-grade crush at lunch with PB &J stuck in your braces are over.

Metal braces in general are unattractive, clunky, and overall distracting. Invisalign are as the name suggests, are practically invisible. Invisalign is a tray made of clear thermoplastic material making it hardly noticeable that you have aligners on. Any type of mouth shifting treatment can cause discomfort however, Invisalign provides less pressure. Stained teeth and red gums are also a problem when traditional braces are removed.  It’s difficult to brush and flossing around metal braces. You need to maneuver around your wires to get to the parts you can’t normally reach. With Invisalign, you can remove the tray and do what you need to do. You are also able to whiten your teeth when needed.

The list goes on and on about foods you have to avoid when you have metal braces but this is not the same for Invisalign aligners. The clear aligners can be removed while you’re eating so you don’t have to worry about what you can and cannot eat. We recommend you to avoid or limit your sugar consumption in general. However, indulging every now and then is no problem when you don’t have to think about damaging your metal brackets. Sports activity also doesn’t need to take the backseat when you have Invisalign. Playing any sport with metal braces makes it harder when of the fear of the metal scraping and cutting your mouth is looming over you. Invisalign can be taken out when playing and even with it on you don’t have to worry about anything happening to the inside of your mouth.

If the appearance of metal braces has been holding you back from a straighter smile, Invisalign could be a great option. Give our staff at Orthodontist and Braces in Orange County a call to set up your free Invisalign consultation and find out if if metal braces or Invisalign is the right option for your straighter and healthier smile.

You know what your child shouldn’t eat while they have braces, but what should they eat? When your child gets home from school they always look for a quick bite that provides the energy boost a little kid needs. Now that they have braces, many foods they use to be able to eat need to be avoided, such as carrot sticks and hard cheeses. Any food that’s too hard, crunchy, or chewy can damage brackets and wires and will need an extra trip to your orthodontist. Our dentists at Orthocenter recommend these healthy and braces-friendly options for your child’s midday snack.

Fruits and Vegetables
Strawberries and bananas are great, soft fruits that are easy on your child’s braces. If you want to incorporate greens such as kale and spinach, blending it along with sweet fruits will mask the grassy flavor making it palatable for children to drink. For apples and carrots, you should cut them in thin slices if your child would still want to eat them making their braces less susceptible to damage.

Meat and Dairy
Cheese and dairy provide the calcium and vitamin D that children need. You can give your child braces-friendly soft cheeses like string cheese and cream cheese. Yogurts and similar products are also a great option to give your child calcium. For meats, anything that doesn’t require much chewing such as chicken, ham, and eggs is full of the protein that children need.

These are dentist-approved foods to give your children. Parents only want the best for their children and they want to provide healthy nutrition-rich foods that are also delicious. Let us know what your child’s favorite snack is on their next visit to Orthocenter. If you have any other questions about foods your children should or should not eat contact us!

Due to COVID-19 and the global pandemic almost all Orthodontic offices are closed or only open to emergency appointments. So, how can you handle potential orthodontic issues that may arise at home? There are a few different steps that can be taken while you are at home during the pandemic to keep your mouth free from any discomfort and maintain any temporary fixes.  If you are experiencing any extreme discomfort it is extremely important to notify your orthodontist as soon as possible to alleviate any pain you may be experiencing.

Tools and Supplies to Keep on Hand

Being sure to keep these tools and supplies on hand will ensure that you are readily prepared to handle the most common orthodontic issues.

• Orthodontic Wax
• Dental Floss
• Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen
• Topical Anesthetic
• Salt-Water Rinse
• Interproximal Brush

Experiencing Discomfort

While it is normal to experience discomfort while you are going through our orthodontic treatment, however, orthodontic discomfort should not last any longer than a couple of days at most. If you are having severe discomfort or pain it’s important to rinse your mouth with a salt-water solution and take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to alleviate some of the discomfort. Be sure to contact your Orthodontic office is the pain persists longer than a couple of days as there could be an underlying issue that may need to be addressed or discussed.

Mouth Sores or Irritation          

Sometimes braces and the wires can be irritating to a patient’s mouth, especially when eating, and can cause irritation or even mouth sores.  While braces themselves do not cause mouth sores, they can be precipitated or exacerbated by the irritation of the brackets. While mouth sores are not actually considered an orthodontic emergency, prompt relief can be achieved by applying orthodontic wax or topical relief such as ora-gel or orabase to the ulcerated or irritated area. By placing orthodontic wax on top of the bracket that is causing irritation you are creating a smooth surface barrier between the bracket and inside of your mouth to help eliminate irritation. Orthodontic wax and topical relief can be purchased at any drug store or large supermarket while you are awaiting your postponed orthodontic appointment. If after multiple days the irritation and or mouth sores do not subside, be sure to call your Orthodontist to create an appointment to help find the underlying cause or issue regarding the irritation.

Protruding Wires

Occasionally the ends of wires can come loose and ultimately can irritate the inside of your mouth. By using a Q-tip or disinfected tweezers try to push the exposed wire flat against the tooth. If the wire cannot be moved into a comfortable position coat the exposed wire with orthodontic relief wax to provide immediate relief until you are able to see your Orthodontist.

Loose Bands or Brackets

If any of your orthodontic braces or brackets have become loose or fallen off please contact your Orthodontist immediately. Experiencing a loose or broken bracket does qualify as an orthodontic emergency so it is crucial to call your Orthodontist immediately following the orthodontic issue regarding your brackets to make an appointment.

While we are all ready to get back to our normal lives, if you have an orthodontic issue during these times not all issues qualify as an emergency. If you have any questions regarding what qualifies as an orthodontic emergency, give our office a call and a braces or an Invisalign specialist will be able to answer any and all of your questions and guide you in the right direction regarding what steps you need to take to keep your smile healthy during COVID-19.

Whether you just got them or getting them tightened, braces can be painful and the pressure on that’s on your teeth results in aching jaws and gums. Fear not as there are several ways you can relieve some discomfort with some of these tips.

1. Drug Store Pain Medicine

As with headaches or cramps, you can take over-the-counter medications to relieve some pain. Taking the medicine an hour before your appointment is the most efficient way to reduce feeling sore.

2. A Cold Compress

Holding a cold compress to your jaw and mouth a couple of times a day may provide some relief. The cold slows the flow of blood and constricts the vessels which help numb the pain to reduce inflammation.

3. Gum Massage

Gently rub your gums in a circular motion by using your fingers. Using a cube of ice to numb your gums will have more effective results.

4. Rinse with Warm Water

Gurgling warm salt water for about 30 seconds can speed up the healing of any sore or cuts you might have in your mouth. The saltwater can reduce swelling by drawing out fluids and cleaning the affected area.

The most important way to get over the pain of braces is time. The discomfort would only be last a couple of days, but your smile will stay with you. If you have any other questions, please contact us at the Orthodontist and Braces in Orange County.

The Orthodontist and Braces in Orange County is an Orange County, CA-based Orthodontics practice devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of your smile using conservative, state-of-the-art procedures that will result in beautiful, long-lasting smiles! We are proud to have an exceptional group of dental professionals on our staff.

Our standard of excellence in personalized dental care enables us to provide the quality orthodontics services our patients deserve. We provide comprehensive treatment planning to achieve your optimal dental health. Should a dental emergency occur, we make every effort to see and care for you as soon as possible.

Our exceptional, friendly staff is our greatest asset. They are excited about what they are doing, have high standards of quality and integrity, and are motivated to achieve the best results for our family of patients. Our dental assistants are highly skilled with many hours of training and meet all requirements for state licensure.

We pride ourselves on our ability to stay on top of all of our treatments and our communication with our patients.  During your consultation, we will take the time to assess any preexisting dental conditions you may have.  We will make sure we are aware of all of your dental goals and desires in order to provide you with the best course of action and all the information you need to get there.

Orthodontist and Braces in Orange County offers many different types of braces including Invisalign, Cosmetic Braces, 6 in 6 months’ braces as well as regular metal braces. Contact us today to set up a free consultation to see what types of braces you’re qualified for!