Sometimes you just need to laugh a little, right?
1. What does an orthodontist do on a roller coaster?
2. Why did the deer get braces?
3. What did the orthodontist see at the North Pole?
4. What did the werewolf eat after he got his braces?
5. What do you call a bear with no teeth?
Have a favorite dental joke? Leave it in the comments!
Straight teeth aren’t just for looks! A beautiful smile will benefit you in many, many ways. Here are four of them:
To read more, check out our post on the health benefits of braces. And if you’re ready to take the first step to a healthy new smile, sign up for a free consultation with Carter Orthodontics.
While you are making college plans for the fall, don’t forget to think about your orthodontics. If you will be undergoing treatment while you’re off at school, there are a few things you should consider. You probably already know and like your current orthodontist; however, you might want to consider finding a local orthodontist to help you with the care and maintenance of your braces. If you choose to attend a school that is more than a short drive away from home, having an orthodontist nearby will be even more helpful.
Here are a few things you should keep in mind when deciding if you need a local orthodontist:
Routine Care and Maintenance for Braces in College
Typically when you wear braces, you have a maintenance appointment about every six weeks. These appointments are important to make sure that everything is in the correct place and functioning properly. It is also common to have your braces tightened at that time. If you have special issues, these appointments may be even more frequent. If you are attending college far away from your hometown, it may not be feasible to go home every time you need to see the orthodontist. Having appointments with a local orthodontist will definitely save you time and money.
Emergencies with Your Braces in College
Sometimes emergencies happen, such as broken or loose hardware. It might not be possible to travel home quickly in these instances. Having a relationship with a local orthodontist will allow you to get treatment for an emergency much quicker. This can prevent the situation from becoming worse and blossoming into a major problem. This will save you time, money, stress and a lot of pain.
If you plan on attending school in or around the CSRA, we would love to welcome you to one of our convenient Carter Orthodontics locations. Schedule your first appointment today, so you can have a close and reliable orthodontist help you care for your braces while you are away at school.
If you are currently wearing braces, then you probably want to make sure your teeth are straight and healthy. To have both, you’ll need to put extra effort into preventing tooth decay while wearing your braces. When Dr. Carter removes your braces, you’ll be more likely to reveal white, beautiful teeth if you follow these simple steps.
Use a Special Toothbrush
In addition to your regular toothbrush, you’ll also need to use an interdental toothbrush. Regular toothbrushes just can’t get to those hard-to-reach spots around your braces. An interdental toothbrush has bristles that are shaped like a Christmas tree. They can remove food residue in the braces and on the teeth much easier. Another great item to use is a WaterPik, which is able to get into even the toughest-to-clean spots.
Brush after Every Meal
The fact is that braces block food from naturally escaping your teeth after eating. It’s very important that you take the time to brush and floss after every meal. If food can’t sit around on your teeth, it can’t cause decay. We know it can be a pain to keep a toothbrush and floss handy at all times, but you’ll be glad you did!
Make Sure to Rinse
Even after all of that brushing and flossing, there can still be food left behind. Rinse with a fluoride mouthwash to finish the job. If you don’t have mouthwash with you, using water is better than using nothing at all!
Avoid Unnecessary Sweets
When it comes to tooth decay, being proactive is the best route. To help ward off decay, you need to limit the foods that cause it. If you can nix sugary foods from the start, you’ll spend less time trying to treat tooth-decay problems in the future. If you do eat them, make sure to brush and rinse immediately.
Visit Your Dentist, Too!
Regular dentist visits while you are wearing braces should occur at least every six months. Let us know if you have questions about your oral health while in braces – our team at Carter Orthodontics is here to make sure your teeth are as beautifully straight as they are healthy!
We set out today to write a blog post about the typical orthodontic treatment timeline, but we found an infographic that broke it down in a much simpler way. While every patient, mouth, and case is different, the following graphic explains the basics pretty well!
If you have any questions or are looking to schedule your free consultation, contact Carter Orthodontics today! We’d love to get you started on the path to a healthy, beautiful smile.