Would you consider undergoing orthodontic treatment to improve your smile without ever having to step foot inside an orthodontic or dental office? In the last couple years, there has been a significant increase in the purchase of mail order orthodontics and at-home teeth straightening kits, especially with teens. What’s the hook? It is advertised as a more cost-effective and convenient way to achieve a better smile. Watch this video!
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Orthodontic Treatment For Children – When?
At Davoody and Hablinski Orthodontics, we suggest bringing your child in for an orthodontic evaluation at age seven. We recommend this age because the first molars come in around this time. While your child will have a mix of adult and baby teeth, our staff can identify any abnormalities or problems in the near future. These problems can include crowding, deep bites and open bites.
In some cases, early treatment can help regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, reduce the threat of impacted permanent teeth, eliminate the need for extractions and resolve speech problems. When caught early and quickly treated, many patients do not need orthodontic treatment later in life, saving them both time and money.
How Soon Will Treatment Begin?
Keep in mind that while you can have your child evaluated for early orthodontic treatment, the treatment itself may not begin for another few years after the exam has been performed. Depending on our findings, treatment can start as soon as one year later and as late as five years after the examination.
Early Treatment Benefits
Taking a proactive approach to your child’s oral health could prevent physical and emotional trauma as they mature. Kids can be cruel and children with misaligned teeth can experience poor oral hygiene and a lot of teasing from peers.
It is important to note that not every treatment plan is the same. Dr. Davoody and Dr. Hablinski work with each patient to develop a custom plan for treatment based on their needs. If treatment is not yet necessary, patients are placed on our orthodontic supervisory program in order to monitor progress.
Is your child’s seventh birthday coming up? If you suspect that your child may need an evaluation, contact our office to schedule your complimentary consultation. The sooner we meet, the better our chances of ensuring your child has a healthy smile and even brighter future.
Alcohol And Orthodontic Treatment
Acid – Most alcoholic drinks are very high in acid content. Mixed drinks made of soda or fruit juices typically have the most acid. If left on the teeth too long, acid can erode the enamel on your teeth, making you prone to disease-causing bacteria.
Sugar – Whether you can taste it or not, your alcoholic drink of choice most likely has sugar in it. Sugar is bacteria’s best friend. Bacteria feed on the sugar left on your teeth and leave acid behind.
Dyes – Many wines and spirits contain dyes that can stain your teeth. Avoid colorful drinks and red wines to keep your teeth bright and healthy. Drinking white wines causes no discoloration.
Tips for Drinking Alcohol with Braces
- Don’t babysit your drink. While sipping on your drink over time saves you money and keeps you from becoming intoxicated too quickly, it can have a negative effect on your teeth. Your mouth does not get time to balance its pH, helping bacteria to thrive.
- Drink water throughout the evening. Not only can drinking water between drinks keep you hydrated, but it can also rinse away some of the acid and sugar from your drinks. Occasionally swish it around before you swallow.
- Don’t skip your nightly routine. No matter how tired you may be, remember to brush and floss before bed. You don’t want your first breath the next morning to taste like last night.
- Be smart and drink in moderation. Remember to drink responsibly and pace yourself. Try not to overdo it and be sure to have a designated driver or other transportation to get home safely.
On a Serious Note…Did you know that regular consumption of alcohol can increase your risk for oral cancer? A study by the American Cancer Society found that people who drink alcoholic beverages often are six times more likely to develop oral cancer than someone who does not. Of those diagnosed with oral cancer, 75-80% are regular consumers of alcohol.
Be Proactive
The best thing you can do for your teeth is, to be honest about your alcohol consumption and proactive when it comes to dealing with its effects. Keep the above tips in mind when drinking alcohol. Together, we can make sure you have the healthy, bright smile you’ve always wanted. Contact our Houston TX office with any questions you may have or to schedule a complimentary initial consultation.
How To Combat Morning Breath
Dry Mouth and Morning Breath
The most common cause of morning breath is dry mouth. When you sleep, your body is not able to produce as much saliva. This is done so that you can stay asleep longer and not have to constantly swallow.
Why is saliva so important? Saliva is a crucial part of oral health because it washes away food and sugar particles left behind when we eat. This reduces acid and helps balance pH levels in the mouth.Read More
Are You Eating A Balanced Breakfast?
The Breakfast Effect
Think about your typical first meal of the day. Is it hot or cold? Does it have a lot of sugar in it? Is it balanced? In the United States, cereals and pastries are the most popular choices for breakfast but are not the healthiest for our teeth.
These unhealthy choices are often loaded with sugar and can have damaging effects on your teeth, gums and fixed appliances as well. Failure to brush and floss after eating breakfast could lead to even greater problems in the near future.Read More
The Secret To A Brighter Smile
Apples
They say that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but did you know it also keeps the stains away as well? Apples contain a high concentration of malic acid, which helps remove stains and clean the teeth. Malic acid can also be found in some toothpaste.Read More
Eat Well, Feel Good, Smile Better
Did you know that the most common oral health diseases are tooth decay and gum disease? Not so coincidentally, they are also the easiest to prevent. As much as we would like for the brushing and flossing to do all the work for us, in reality, we really are what we eat — and a healthy diet is just as important for dental health as it is for the rest of the body.
Eating well boosts your immune system, and makes you less susceptible to gum disease and tooth decay. When you maintain a balanced diet, you provide your body with all the nutrients it needs to succeed. So what does a healthy, balanced diet entail? It’s really quite simple. Here are some tips:
- Focus on lean meats, veggies, whole grains, and healthy fats.
- Limit your intake of sugary drinks like energy drinks and soda.
- Keep your sweet tooth in check.
- Beware of acidic meals and snacks that are high in salt and sodium.
- Drink lots of water.
Unfortunately, there’s no “one size fits all,” magic diet that will automatically improve your oral health, but following the five guidelines above as best you can is a great way to start. Food and drinks that are high in sugar or acidity weaken your enamel, stain your teeth, and make you more likely to develop a cavity or gum disease.
At Dr. Mark P. Hablinski Orthodontics, we like to encourage our patients to drink a lot of water during the day. Doing so not only keeps you hydrated, but also helps rinse out the sugar and acid from various things you’ve consumed during the day.
If you think your diet might be affecting your smile, come pay Dr. Hablinski a visit or give our Houston, TX office a call! We’re always happy to answer your questions.
Should I Get Braces?
If you’re thinking about investing in braces, there are a few things you should take into consideration. It’s normal for adult teeth to come in crooked, which is why braces are a common solution for teens and adults who desire a beautiful smile.
Your dentist may recommend orthodontic treatment if crooked teeth begin to affect your or your child’s oral health. But many factors go into whether braces would be right for you or your child, or not.
Modern orthodontic treatments offer numerous options for the typical issues people face, such as crooked teeth or jaw alignment problems. Malocclusion, otherwise known as having a bad bite, is common in patients with crooked teeth.
Braces can be worn for a short period of time to correct uneven jaw alignment, which may be the cause of an underbite or overbite in patients. A retainer is worn afterward to keep the newly straightened teeth in place.
Now that one in five braces wearers is an adult, grownups have a variety of braces options. Braces are typically left on for at least one year to straighten teeth effectively. Options can include regular metal braces, clear braces, or Invisalign® aligners.
If you’re an adult and would prefer a discreet treatment, clear braces or Invisalign retainers are your best options. Dr. Hablinski will be able to provide you with a recommended best route of treatment depending on what you’re trying to accomplish and what your budget is. Before getting braces, it’s worth learning about all the methods of treatment available at Dr. Mark P. Hablinski Orthodontics.
Be sure to contact your insurance company before your appointment to see if orthodontic treatments are covered; otherwise, you may want to plan to pay for out-of-pocket costs. If you have questions regarding the types of treatment we provide for our patients, call our Houston, TX office for more information.