Avoid These Bad Habits While Wearing Braces

Braces are meant to make your teeth healthy and straight; however, bad habits can hinder the ability of the braces. It can cause breakage or even slow down the straightening process. At Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, we want all of our patients to be aware of how to protect their teeth while wearing braces. Keep reading for tips!

Biting Non-Food Objects

When it comes to wearing braces, most people know they should stay away from hard foods like raw carrots and popcorn. This rule also goes for non-food objects like fingernails, pens, and water bottles. The pressure from biting could pop off a bracket, damage the wire, or slow down the ability of the braces. Stick to just biting braces-friendly food!

 

Opening Things with Your Teeth

A habit many of us have is opening things with our teeth. Packages, tape, and even pop cans are among the common things teeth are used to open. This can have the same effect as biting hard objects; it increases the wrong kind of pressure on the braces and your sensitive teeth.

 

Chewing Ice

Those who have a habit of chewing their ice after their drink is finished should just let it melt. In addition to causing pressure on the braces, chewing ice can also wear down enamel on teeth and cause damage to already-sensitive teeth. Just let the ice melt!

 

Pop and Other Sugary Drinks

Those who have daily pops, juices, or other high-sugar drinks should be aware that braces create tons of new hiding places for sugar and bacteria. You do not want to have your braces taken off only to find out you have a bunch of cavities. Stick to water mostly and rinse your mouth after drinking anything else.

 

To learn more about the orthodontic options we have here, be sure to contact us! To schedule an appointment with Flossophy Dental in our Edmonton, AB dental practice, call (780) 306-9333 or visit our website, www.flossophydental.ca. 

Scaling and Root Planing for Gum Disease

If you have a stubborn case of gum disease, our doctors at Flossophy Dental may recommend a procedure called dental scaling. This type of treatment removes plaque and tartar from your teeth in addition to helping your gums regain their optimal health. The scaling process is usually done in conjunction with a procedure known as root planing. The scaling and root planing technique is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease before it becomes severe.

Root planing and scaling are done when gums have either started to pull away from the teeth or the roots of the teeth have tartar on them. The scaling process occurs with manual hand instruments, ultrasonic instruments, or both. Our doctors at Flossophy Dental will start this procedure with a thorough examination before the device is used to eliminate the plaque bacteria. Root planing involves detailed scaling of the root surface to decrease inflammation of gum tissue. One of our doctors will then scale the root surface to smooth out rough target areas, eliminating plaque and biofilm development. If your gum tissue is sensitive, local anesthesia can be administered to numb the tissue.

If you suspect you are in the first stages of gum disease, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services provided here at the office, visit www.flossophydental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, call 780-306-9333.

Flossing with Traditional Braces

As our doctors at Flossophy Dental will tell you, flossing can be difficult when you have traditional metal braces, but it’s more important than ever to keep the gaps in your teeth clean when you have a mouth full of metal. Many folks who have braces don’t know how to floss with them or think that they can’t floss at all if they have braces and this is not true. Therefore, we thought we would share some tips with you for flossing effectively.

• Use waxed floss, because unwaxed floss is more likely to get caught and shred in your braces.


• Use about 18 inches of floss and thread it carefully.


• Take the floss and gently thread it under the main wire of the braces before passing it between two teeth. Then remove the floss and re-thread it under the main wire to pass between the next pair of teeth.


• Be sure not to snap the floss. Simply move the floss up and down carefully against the side of each tooth.

If you have questions about orthodontic oral care, please give us a call. To learn more about the services provided here at the office, visit www.flossophydental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, call 780-306-9333.

Habits That Cause Tender Teeth

If you avoid eating cold foods or drinking hot beverages because your teeth are a little tender, it may be time to do some oral care habit reflecting. If you have sensitive teeth, our doctors at Flossophy Dental may recommend dental sealants or fluoride treatments to decrease sensitivity. Sometimes the solution is simply breaking bad habits. If you catch yourself performing any of the following habits, do your best to break them.

• You’re brushing too hard – over time, if you brush with too much force, you can wear down the protective layers of your teeth and expose the microscopic hollow tubes or canals that lead to your dental nerves. When these tubules are exposed, tooth sensitivity is a result.


•  You’re eating too many acidic foods – If the pathways to your nerves are exposed, acidic foods will leave you in pain.


• You have tooth decay – If you have tooth decay, it’s easy for bacteria to accumulate in these tiny crevices, which causes acid build-up and enamel breakdown.


• You’re a tooth grinder – Grinding your teeth can wear down your enamel. This exposes the dentin and causes sensitive teeth.

To learn more about the services provided here at the office, visit www.flossophydental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, call 780-306-9333.

Three Stages of Gum Disease

Gum disease may progress painlessly, producing a few obvious signs, but the primary symptom is spotting blood in the sink after you brush or floss. There are three stages of gum disease that you need to be aware of: gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. It is important to practice proper oral hygiene on a daily basis to avoid the condition altogether and you should always schedule professional cleanings and oral exams with our doctors at Flossophy Dental twice a year to keep your gums healthy.

The three stages of gum disease are: 

• Gingivitis – This is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gum line. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. This is when you’ll notice blood in the sink after you complete your brushing routine. However, at this early stage, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.


• Periodontitis – This is the second stage of gum disease. By this point, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may even begin to form a pocket below the gum line, which traps food and plaque.


• Advanced Periodontitis – This is the final stage of gum disease, and the fibers and bone supporting your teeth is officially destroyed. In this case, your teeth may begin to shift or loosen and your bite may also be affected. If aggressive treatment can’t save them, the teeth will need to be extracted.

To learn more about the services provided here at the office, visit www.flossophydental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, call 780-306-9333.