Smile CSRA

Holiday Treats for Kids with Braces

December 10, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

There is no denying that festive treats are part of the fun during the holidays. However, many of them are too sticky, hard, or crunchy for people with braces to enjoy. These types of foods can damage the wires or brackets of your braces as well as make your teeth that much more vulnerable to decay. Having traditional metal braces during the holidays can be tough when it feels like you are constantly surrounded by things you can’t have!

There are many holiday treats you should try to avoid. These include:

Candy canes
Caramels
Toffee
Taffy
Jelly beans
Nuts

Fortunately, there are just as many braces-friendly treats that you can indulge in:

Hershey Kisses
Peanut Butter Cups
Soft Cookies
Pudding
Pumpkin Pie
Fudge

The most important thing to remember, though, is to always brush after enjoying any sweets!

Orthodontics: Fact or Fiction

November 23, 2015 by admin 1 Comment

Movies and television would have you believe that the only people who wear braces are middle schoolers, and that the only options available include headgear and pounds of metal. That is simply not the case! We’ve decided to bust through the fiction and give you the honest facts about braces.

Myth: Orthodontic treatment is only for crooked teeth.
Fact: While a crooked smile is a common reason to seek orthodontic care, orthodontic interventions can also help with a wide range of dental health problems. From an overbite to jaw misalignment, Dr. Carter can help with many problems associated with your teeth, gums, and jaws.

Myth: Orthodontic treatment is just for kids.
Fact: Although children and teenagers often visit the orthodontist to get braces, the number of adults who choose to work on their smiles is increasing every year. No matter your age, a consultation with an orthodontist is always an option. It is never too late to smile with confidence.

Myth: Traditional metal braces are the only option.
Fact: Times have definitely changed. Advances in orthodontic technology mean that there are many options! Make sure to ask Dr. Carter about Invisalign® and other less-visible alternatives if you are concerned about having traditional metal braces.

Myth: Orthodontic treatment is too expensive.
Fact: At Carter Orthodontics, we work closely with patients to find ways to make the payment process a breeze. From helping with insurance to providing great payment options, we can make sure you find a price that is right for you.

Myth: Braces are painful and the treatment lasts many years.
Fact: In general, patients painlessly adapt to life with braces after the initial adjustments. In regards to treatment length, it varies from person to person. Some people may be required to wear braces for just a few months!

My First Invisalign Aligners

November 10, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

I recently got my first Invisalign® aligners! I’m currently on set 13 (Where has the time gone?), but I wanted to recap the beginning of my treatment before I move on to other topics. For those of you reading this who haven’t read my previous posts, you can learn more about my first Invisalign appointment before you read on.

Shortly after my initial Invisalign appointment, I came back to Dr. Carter’s office to pick up my first few aligners. I received a new patient kit, which was filled with aligner trays, a special brush, and instructions.

Seriously, this is all it takes for a nice, new smile? I was sold.

Of course, the most interesting thing I received that day was my first set of aligners. I was nervous to try them on, but it wasn’t a big deal at all. Yep, these babies are part of my daily routine now.

So how has my treatment been going? Well, I want to shout from the rooftops how excited I am that I’m officially working on my smile for the first time in my life. The best part? The process has been so smooth. That being said, there are a few things I have learned about wearing my Invisalign aligners:

• There should be no eating or drinking (except for clear liquids) while I’m wearing them. They need to be removed every time I eat, drink, or brush my teeth. I’ve actually noticed how much mindless snacking I did before I had the aligners. That’s probably the biggest “change” I’ve seen in my routine. It’s slightly more complicated now than just eating something quickly.
• I initially had a hard time remembering to grab my aligner case before heading out of the door each day. Tossing your aligners into a napkin before you eat isn’t the best idea, you guys. Luckily, you receive two cases. I now leave one in my purse and one by the bathroom sink. No more napkins.
• Ideally, you should wear your aligners for 22 hours a day. Some days I do better than others. I’d say I average between 20 & 21 hours a day, which is still within recommended ranges. I’m sure I’ll get better with practice. Maybe I should set a thirty minute alarm every time I take them out? Might just be a brilliant idea.
• There has been no pain associated with my treatment at all. My front teeth feel a little “achy” on the first day of a new set, but it’s definitely nothing I would complain about. By the second day, I barely feel them.
• I was also a little nervous about my speech being affected, but it’s not too bad! I’ve gotten passed the awkwardness, for sure. Sometimes my “s” sounds come out a little weird, but again, I can’t complain.

Overall, I am pleasantly surprised by how easy this whole process has been. I’ll check back in later with more details on my attachments, buttons, and bands and using AcceleDent to speed the whole thing up. If you have any questions, leave a comment below!

Clear Aligners Created with Orchestrate 3D Printing Techniques

October 8, 2015 by admin 1 Comment

Technology’s role in dentistry and orthodontics continues to grow at a rapid pace. With the huge advances in technology every year, it can be hard to keep up. A big topic of discussion lately has been 3D printing and we can definitely see why. The processes may be complicated, but it’s important to understand just how much these new machines can do. From creating simple designs to working human limbs, it seems like anything can be 3D printed much quicker and at a fraction of the cost.

What is 3D printing? Check out the video below to learn more.

A great option for orthodontic patients who want straight teeth more quickly than they ever thought possible is Orchestrate 3D Technology.

The O3D process helps orthodontists keep the entire process under their own roof. That means your journey to straight, healthy teeth is faster than ever before. With this in-house printing, your orthodontist can create clear aligners for you, limiting your wait time and speeding up the entire process.

Have any questions? Leave them below! If you’d like to make an appointment with Dr. Carter, we’d love to set up your free consultation today.

How to Get Rid of Bad Breath (When You Can’t Chew Gum)

September 28, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

We’ve all been there. Out of no where, you realize your breath is a little less than fresh. Many people would just pop in a piece of gum, but what do you do to get rid of bad breath quickly when you have braces? Luckily, there are other options.

1. Reach for you toothbrush. This should always be your first course of action when possible. It is always a great idea to try to keep a travel sized toothbrush and toothpaste on hand, though, so you’ll be prepared to keep your teeth sparkling clean.

2. Drink a glass of water. When you can’t rush out and brush up, reach for a glass of water. When it’s been a while since you’ve had a drink, the bacteria in your mouth releases an unpleasant-smelling gas. You’re much less likely to have bad breath when you don’t allow your mouth to dry out.

3. Eat an apple. We’ve mentioned before that apples are natures toothbrushes because of their ability to clean your teeth, but they also do a great job freshening your breath. They contain oxidized polyphenols, which help to neutralize the odor produced by bacteria in your mouth. It’s a win, win.

4. Sip some hot tea. Tea definitely helps keep your mouth from drying out, but black and green tea also contain polyphenols that can prevent the growth of the bacteria that causes bad breath. Brew for your breath!

5. Nibble on parsley. One of the worst culprits when it comes to bad breath is garlic. The next time you chow down on a meal filled with it, check and see if the dish was garnished with parsley. If so, munch on some after dinner to fight the garlicky smell.