Braces

When is the right time for you to start orthodontic treatment?

As a parent, you should know that routine dental care starts during your child’s toddler years. Orthodontic treatment is part of the comprehensive dental health care plan. It’s a series of procedures done by orthodontics and some qualified dentists to help align your teeth for a great smile and better chewing. Braces and other appliances are used to exert pressure on the teeth so they can move to the right position.

Do I Need Orthodontic Treatment?

Age shouldn’t hinder you from getting orthodontic treatment. You deserve an orthodontic treatment if you want to;

• Improve your appearance
• Correct your biting position and the chewing function
• Achieve a beautiful smile

If a kid has a jaw and teeth alignment problems, it would be financially economical to evaluate and treat the problem early instead of delaying. For some kids, it helps prevent physical and emotional trauma. Besides, misaligned jaws and teeth are risky for those who play sports and will hinder proper oral hygiene according to the Australian Society of Orthodontics.

What’s the Best Time Age to Start Orthodontic Treatment?

According to the Canadian Dental Association, age doesn’t matter when it comes to getting orthodontic treatment. The American Association of Orthodontics asserts the treatment achieves better results in children and teens compared to the older generation because their jaws and face are still developing.

When to Get Braces

The best time for placing braces is between 10 and 14 years, when the head and mouth are still developing, and the teeth can are subject to triggered straightening, according to Oralb. And while most people have this wrong notion that braces are for young kids only, they can also correct minor issues and bring back the beautiful smile to adults.

How Long Do Braces Last?

Age and the complexity of jaw and teeth misalignment will determine how long you wear the braces. Full braces would require between 18-30 months and adults will take more time with braces compared to children and teens.

Contact Schmitt Orthodontics to Start Orthodontic Treatment

Would you like that beautiful smile, proper chewing and a fantastic look back? Consider an Orthodontic Treatment. Learn why you need to choose an orthodontist in over a dentist. To schedule an appointment with Schmitt Orthodontics today, call (252)-492-6628.

Dreaming of a straighter, more beautiful smile? If so, then why not start the new year off with creating a new smile?

While the “ideal” ages for braces are between 10 and 14, there’s truly no “wrong” time for creating a new smile with braces!

Exploring Your Options

These days, there are many different options for straightening your teeth. Traditional metal braces made of stainless steel are what most people think of when they think of braces, but there are also translucent braces available. These utilize ceramic brackets and transparent elastic ties that are less noticeable than traditional braces, making them popular among adults.

Invisalign is another option to consider; this system uses a series of clear aligners that are custom

Not sure which option is best for you? Consulting with an orthodontist is the best way to figure it out. After all, not all types of braces can be used to correct all orthodontic problems. For example, Invisalign may not be able to treat certain bite problems, but traditional or translucent braces likely can.

Life With Braces

When you have traditional braces, you will likely be restricted from eating certain foods. Some common foods you’ll be instructed to avoid include:

• chewy foods, such as gum and soft candies
• hard/crunchy foods, such as nuts and tortilla chips
• sticky foods, such as caramel and taffy

With Invisalign braces, you won’t be as limited to the types of foods you can enjoy, thanks to your ability to remove your aligners while eating. Still, you’ll need to take special care to keep your aligners clean and to avoid losing them.

Braces can be a great way to creating a new smile of your dreams. Schedule a consultation with your dentist or orthodontist today to get started!

With the holidays in full swing keep in mind yours braces and holiday treats!

With the holiday season fast approaching, many will spend more time at home and visiting friends. This is also a period when those wearing braces might be tempted to try some treats that could damage their braces, cause immediate pain, and make the holidays less joyful.

As you plan for holiday events, keep in mind the following sweets and treats that those with braces should avoid and select as alternatives.

Things to Avoid:

Generally speaking, refrain from any foods or treats that are sticky, chewy, or hard. Some of the items that should be avoided include bubblegum, caramel, corn chips, gummy bears, hard pretzels, jelly beans, licorice, lollipops, nuts, popcorn, and other similar foods. These items can damage the metal brackets on the braces. Also, make sure that anyone wearing braces avoids chewing on ice.

Sweets and Treats You May Want to Select:

There are many alternatives that those wearing braces can enjoy. Some examples include: applesauce, brownies (as long as they are not too gooey), soft candies and chocolates (especially ones that melt in your mouth), soft cookies, cupcakes, custard cream, gelatins, ice cream, marshmallows, pancakes or waffles with fruit and/or syrup, peanut butter, pudding, smoothies, and yogurts (regular and frozen). Floats and milkshakes are good alternatives, too. Some hard fruits, such as apples or pears, are okay if thinly sliced. You can add whipped topping or other soft sweeteners to blueberries, strawberries, and other fruits.

Other Things to Remember . . .

Never let holiday distractions change your brushing, flossing, and rinsing schedule. Also, remember to drink water after having any sweets to reduce the buildup of plaque.

 

Here to Serve Your Orthodontic Needs

We work with our patients that need braces to start the treatment process at the best time. Contact us today for an appointment.

Taking care of braces is important so your child doesn’t have to wear them longer than necessary.

Here are some great tips for protecting your investment in your child’s dental health and future confidence:

Be Careful What You Eat

Avoid consuming hard, chewy, or sticky foods. Examples of food to avoid are caramels, hard pretzels, hard candies, popcorn, carrots, and apples. Stick with softer foods like yogurt, watermelon, bread, rice, etc. that are easy to consume and break down easily.

Also, watch what goes into the mouth. Warn your child not to bite their nails, chew on pencils, or break ice in their mouth while they have braces on. All of these hard items can wear down braces after a while.

Protect the Braces

Fortunately, children can still wear braces while playing sports. Just make sure that they are wearing a mouthguard while playing sports. This will help prevent injuries to teeth and other parts of the mouth. Also be sure that your child keeps their bands on, removing them only while eating meals or consuming snacks.

Keep Up with the Regular Dental Hygiene

It’s always a good idea to brush your teeth and floss on a regular basis. It’s even more important to do so when wearing braces. People who wear braces are more prone to cavities and swollen gums. Here are a few tips to avoid these unpleasant side effects:

• Buy soft-bristled toothbrushes for your child to avoid damage to wires and brackets.
• Ask your child to brush more often to remove plaque and food around teeth.
• Use floss daily with a threader to remove food and other build-ups between their teeth and their braces.

To find out more about proper care of braces or to schedule an appointment, contact Schmitt Orthodontics today!

To avoid mishaps, here are some dos and don’ts of braces

Braces are often the safest and most effective way to fix poorly-aligned upper and lower teeth.  In fact, they’re not just appearance enhancers, they help prevent tooth decay, loss & disease, as well as speech impediments and poor chewing habits.

If braces, however, aren’t properly utilized, maintained and adjusted, their intended benefits may not be achieved.  To avoid such mishaps, here are some things you can do and things you shouldn’t regarding your braces.

Absolute Don’ts of Braces

–Don’t eat sticky, sugary, starchy or chewy treats/sweets:

• Caramel
• Dried fruits
• Taffy
• Chewing gum
• Corn on the cob
• Carbonated & high-fructose-corn-syrup/refined-sugar drinks

–Avoid biting your lips or chewing on pencils.

–Stay away from crunchy or hard foods:

• Nuts
• Beef jerky
• Popcorn
• Carrots (unless cooked)
• Apples (applesauce’s okay)
• Pretzels
• Lollipops
• Hard candy
• Tough, semi-raw or still-on-the-bone meats
• Hard-to-chew seafood (e.g., crab legs, squid, etc.)
• Chips
• Hard rolls, bagels & pizza crust
• Crunchy pie crust, brownies & cookies
• Ice

–Don’t breathe through your mouth too often/much.

–Fight the urge to play with or push against the braces with your tongue.

Things You Should Do

–Preferably using a soft toothbrush, brush your teeth thoroughly (including gums & brackets) after every meal/snack since braces accumulate more food particles than teeth.  Rinse well before & after brushing.

—Floss your teeth daily preferably using waxed floss and an orthodontic flosser or floss threader; clean under the wires and between the braces.

–For additional teeth cleaning options consider purchasing/using a water-streaming oral irrigator, an interdental/interproximal brush instead of flossing (if feasible), and anti-bacterial mouthwash.

–For braces/wires that chafe against the skin, use a wax specially made to counter this problem; see an orthodontist or pharmacist for details.

–The foods you can eat with braces include:

• Most soft baked items (e.g., bread, pancakes, etc.)
• Dairy products
• Most softly-cooked/naturally-soft poultry & meats
• Any softly-cooked/naturally-soft seafood
• Softly cooked grains
• Softly-cooked/naturally-soft vegetables & fruits
• Soft desserts

–You may take OTC painkillers for the discomfort, soreness, etc., caused by braces, especially at the beginning. You may also use a heating pad and warm-water washcloth for sore jaws.

–Call your orthodontist right away if wires or brackets on your braces become defective, loosened or damaged; it’s not uncommon for braces to need repair, replacement or re-adjustment.

–Please use a mouthguard to protect your braces when playing sports or engaging in physical activities (i.e., biking, skateboarding, etc.).

–Keep up with all your appointments/treatment sessions for best results!

If properly maintained, braces can fix and prevent many problems; they can also motivate you to smile, improve your appearance and help you enjoy foods more fully in the long run. As always, don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions!

Halloween is fast approaching, and we want to help you have a braces-friendly Halloween!

On the evening of Halloween, scary yet friendly ghosts and goblins rent the streets engaging in all manner of crazy fun. But it can be scary if you or your kid has braces given that it involves eating different types of Candy that can turn out dangerous to your orthodontic investment. You don’t have to fret.  We offer you tips to help you celebrate and have a braces-friendly Halloween.

Avoid Hard, Sticky and Chewy Candies

You don’t want an emergency Halloween visit to an Orthodontist.  Sticky foods get trapped in the braces and then end up pulling off the wire and brackets leaving them loosened. Also, hard candies will break the wire and brackets of your braces when in your attempt crush them. Some of the hard foods to avoid are nuts, jelly beans, hard pretzels, and lollipops.

Treat Yourself to Braces-Friendly Candy

It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have fun like the rest because you fear you might risk your braces. The myth that all candy is dangerous for those with braces and so they cannot have maximum fun has to end. Provided you take braces-friendly foods and avoid sticking your braces into the candy that is hardy, chewy and sticky, you’ll just be okay. Go right ahead have soft cookies, crab cakes, pie, pizza, donuts, soft meatballs, and beans. The secret is in moderation.

Brush and Floss Right after a Halloween Evening

However much you’re careful, you’ll still have small parties of candies, and other stuff stuck in your mouth. Brushing and flossing will help you prevent the build-up of plaque and cavities in your teeth. Also, make oral hygiene a regular affair.

At Schmitt Orthodontics, NC, we’re committed to ensuring your dental health. We use state of the art technology and techniques.  Our braces feature scientifically advanced wires and brackets to guarantee your safety. To schedule appointment, please fill out our online form!

You might be living with braces for as long as 18 months to two years, so choosing the right brace type can be a big decision. Schmitt Orthodontics can help with any questions you might have about the different types of braces and how to adjust to living with your braces for a successful treatment. Here is a brief look at some of the different types of braces to consider with your orthodontist.

Metal Braces

The traditional metal braces are the most common type. They are made of stainless steel with brackets that attach to each tooth. Your orthodontist will adjust and tighten metal braces at each visit so your teeth will gradually shift to the correct bite position over time.

Clear Braces

Clear braces are a popular option for many adults. Their ceramic material makes them less visible, but the tradeoff is that clear braces are more fragile and require a bit more care. Your orthodontist will likely recommend a fluoride rinse for additional cleaning and care of your teeth while using clear braces.

Invisalign

Depending on the type of orthodontic bite treatment that you need, the Invisalign System may be the right choice for you. Invisalign creates a computer-generated translucent aligner that fits directly over your teeth. This system is designed to gradually adjust your teeth and is appropriate for some adults and teens. Clear aligners can be removed for eating and teeth cleaning. You will need to visit your orthodontist every two weeks for a new aligner. Even after your treatment is completed, your orthodontist may recommend still using a clear aligned to maintain the results.

Click here if you would like to schedule your next appointment with Schmitt Orthodontics.

Invisalign or regular braces? Trying to decide the right choice for you? We can help!

A great smile takes people a long way in life.  Those with problem teeth have options in how they can correct alignment issues. The right choice for a patient depends on the severity of their problem and their comfort level with each option.

Why Traditional Braces?

According to one study, issues like an abnormal bite or large gaps respond more effectively to regular braces and bring more immediate results. The doctor applies metal or clear brackets to each tooth, running a thin wire through each. These can’t be removed, giving orthodontists control over making adjustments for small movements of the teeth.

Why Invisalign?

Invisalign can tend to work best for lesser alignment issues. Those that feel uncomfortable wearing regular braces in day to day life would be best suited for this option since these can barely be seen. Invisalign’s process involves getting 3-D models of the teeth and creating custom aligners to fit each patient. These typically get worn on the teeth for up to 22 hours per day. This lets the patient remove the aligners when they need to eat or floss. The aligners get replaced every six weeks or so depending on the recommendation of your orthodontist.

How Much Does Each Cost?

Colgate lists the price range of traditional braces between $2,500 to $6,000. Invisalign runs a little higher in the $3,500 to $8,000 range. Potential patients should take into account how much of these costs will be covered by their insurance or if these services can be paid for from a medical savings account through their employer.

Those needing braces are welcome to contact us to review their options. Contact our office in Henderson, NC and schedule an appointment today!

While wearing braces, take special care to protect your teeth and gums.

Eating some foods can cause damage to your braces. Additionally, the brackets and wires in your braces have many little places between and under wires and bands where food and plaque particles can become trapped. This means that while you are wearing braces, you are at increased risk for promoting tooth decay or permanent discoloration of your teeth.

Here is some information to help you know which foods and drinks to avoid while wearing braces, in order to help prevent problems with your braces and accelerated tooth decay while wearing braces.

Foods That Can Damage Braces

Generally, while wearing braces, avoid chewy, sticky, crunchy, or hard foods. Eating foods with these properties can bend, loosen, or break the brackets, wires, or bands on your braces. Such incidents can be painful and can prolong the time you need to wear braces. Do not eat these foods:

• Nuts
• Hard cookies
• Hard candy
• Thick, sticky candy
• Chewy candy (like jelly beans, taffy, fruit bars)
• Carrot sticks, apples, other hard raw fruits or vegetables (Cut these into very small pieces.)
• Crunchy or sticky peanut butter
• Bagels or other chewy bread (Tear these into very small pieces.)
• Chewing gum
• Popcorn
• Chips (Eat chips carefully, one chip at a time)
• Corn on the cob (Remove corn from the cob.)
• High-sugar beverages (soda, sweetened fruit juices, sport’s drinks, lemonade)
• Ice (Do not chew ice.)

Foods and Drinks That Can Promote Tooth Decay

Frequent consumption of foods high in acid, or long sessions of sipping high-acid beverages, can damage tooth enamel. Although many foods that are high in acid are generally good for your health, some are not the best foods for your teeth. And, because you are at increased risk of tooth decay during the period of wearing braces, also avoid foods and drinks that are high in sugar or starch content.

• High Acid: Citrus fruits like oranges, pineapples, lemons, and plums, foods like pickles or salsas, and beverages like sports drinks, fruit drinks, and soda. (Diet soda is equally high in acid and damaging to tooth enamel.)

• High Sugar: Soda also contains 10-12 teaspoons of sugar. Candies, dessert foods, and many fruit-flavored beverages are also packed with sugar, and like soda, these are very low in nutrition.
• High Starch: Potato chips, French Fries, and other high-starch foods can stick to teeth, causing tooth decay.

Remember

In addition to avoiding foods that can damage your braces, discontinue habits of nail-biting, pencil-chewing, eating ice, or other activities that can break your braces.

Drink water as frequently as you wish. (Keep in mind, many brands of bottled water do not contain fluoride.)

Before you eat, drink, or chew on an object, think about whether or not what you’re putting in your mouth is something beneficial or potentially harmful to the proper functioning of your braces and to the general health of your teeth.

And, be sure to keep all of your appointments for adjustments and check-ups!

With technology quickly advancing, gone are the days of the traditional metal type of braces. So how do you choose what type is right for you?

Removable options, such as Invisalign, are a great alternative to metal braces for mild cases of misalignment. Clear (ceramic) braces provide a valid option for those wanting to disguise their braces appearance. Whatever the case may be, we can help you choose the right type of braces to get you your new smile!

Traditional Metal Braces

Modern high-grade stainless steel braces are one of the most popular options for teeth alignment. The new designs are sleeker and smaller. Lively choices of color banding can create trendy, fun looks for kids. The advanced bracket systems in today’s designs make metal braces also appealing to teens and adults. New NASA technology used in the archwires makes metal braces now more comfortable. They’re also very affordable.

 

Clear Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces also called clear braces, or tooth-colored braces, are made to blend with the natural appearance of your teeth. Clear braces can produce faster results than some other types of braces, and patients of any age group can use this alignment system. Clear braces consist of a translucent (clear) ceramic material. The treatment may include clear or white bands or wires that blend with the patient’s tooth color. The cosmetic appeal of these aligners makes them an attractive option for adult patients.

Invisalign

Invisalign braces are custom-made invisible aligners. Invisible braces are a popular alternative for adults and teens. Invisalign teeth aligners are clear and comfortable. The Invisalign system consists of a progressive series of computer-generated clear aligners designed to gently align your teeth. This is an alternative for patients not needing more extensive orthodontic treatment. Invisalign users are able to drink and eat whatever they prefer. The aligners can simply be reinserted after meals, and after brushing and flossing.

 

Benefits for Our Patients

• Our orthodontic practice uses only the most technologically advanced brackets, wires, and materials. This provides the most comfortable treatments and quickest results possible for our patients. And, it reduces the amount of time taken away from school and work.
• Our advanced digital X-Ray technology involves significantly reduced radiation.
• Dr. Schmitt promotes life-long learning and keeps his professional knowledge current with the most recently updated orthodontic techniques and materials for treatment.
• All techniques, materials, and braces systems designs we utilize for our patients are only those fully validated

If you would like more information, or to schedule an appointment, please contact us today! Our caring, friendly team proudly serves our neighbors in Henderson with the best of professional orthodontic care in Henderson.