Conventional Braces or Invisalign for Straight Teeth

Conventional braces have changed over the years, but unfortunately, those old school wires and brackets can still cause pain and discomfort. However, these days, you don’t have to deal with two years worth of pain thanks to the revolutionary tooth straightening system, Invisalign. The clear answer to conventional braces could the answer that you have been looking for.

Gentle Touch Family Dental is a preferred Invisalign provider and can determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign.

Why Braces Hurt

Pushing and Pulling-Conventional wires and brackets cause pain and discomfort because your mouth is being pushed and pulled 24 hours a day seven days a week, and in some cases, this could go on for 2 years. You will have to see your dentist or orthodontist regularly who will make the manual changes by tightening your wires and brackets according to your orthodontic plan.

Cuts and Abrasions-People who wear braces have a difficult time getting used to the new hardware. Cuts to the tongue, cheeks, and lips are common in people who wear braces. If a breakage occurs, you may also be injured.

Tooth Decay

People who wear braces have a higher risk of tooth decay. Because it is impossible to brush under the wires and brackets, plaque and acid will wear away the enamel eventually causing a cavity or two.

Invisalign

With the Invisalign Tooth Straightening System, you don’t have to be concerned with pain or discomfort. Invisalign is virtually pain free, convenient, and nearly invisible. The only people who will know you are having your smile fixed will be you and Gentle Touch Family Dentistry.

Invisalign is worn between 20 and 22 hours each day. You will take your aligners out when you brush and eat. Your clear plastic custom made aligners will be swapped out every week for your entire treatment time, which could take between 6 to 18 months. You will visit with Gentle Touch Family Dentistry every 6 weeks.

If you would like more information regarding Invisalign, the clear alternative to braces, call or click and schedule an appointment with Gentle Touch Family Dentistry today.

Invisalign Could be the Answer

Invisalign® is the answer if you have slightly tipped or rotated teeth. If your teeth are crooked or if you aren’t happy with the way your teeth fit together, call or click and talk to Gentle Touch Family Dentistry about Invisalign®.

Invisalign® is the clear alternative to conventional wires and brackets and can give you the beautiful Hollywood Smile of your dreams in as little as 6 to 18 months.

Misaligned teeth can also cause problems with your bite. Chewing and even talking can become difficult, but thanks to Invisalign®, you can have a beautiful straight smile without having to resort to uncomfortable braces.

What is Invisalign®?

Invisalign® is a tooth straightening system that utilizes clear plastic aligners that are custom made to fit your teeth. Gentle Touch Family Dentistry, a licensed Invisalign® provider will prescribe between 11 and 31 sets of aligners depending on your treatment plan.

Every two weeks you will swap out your aligners for a new set completing your treatment anywhere between 6 to 18 months.

Advantages

Invisalign® is the painless way to a beautiful straight smile as you remove the aligners when you eat, brush and floss wearing your aligners 20 to 22 hours each day. Because conventional braces are permanently attached to your teeth it makes it impossible to brush under the wires and brackets making you more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease.

Truly the clear advantage, the only people who will know that you are wearing your clear plastic aligners are you and Gentle Touch Family Dentistry as Invisalign® is barely visible.

Unlike conventional braces that need to be tightened every couple of weeks by your dentist or orthodontist, you only need to see Gentle Touch every six weeks to make sure that your treatment is going according to plan.

If you would like more information regarding Invisalign®, call or click and schedule an appointment with Gentle Touch Family Dentistry today. 

Boost Your Confidence with Invisalign

Your smile can change the way you see yourself, and if your crooked teeth have been lowering your self-esteem, schedule an appointment with your dentist who can determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign.

Invisalign is an amazing dental procedure that does not require wires and brackets, and best of all, depending on your particular case, you could have straighter teeth in as little as six months.

The Invisalign system uses a series of between 11 and 31 clear plastic aligners that are worn between 20 and 22 hours each day. Every two weeks you will replace your existing Invisalign aligners with a new set while your teeth get straighter. On average, you will need to wear your clear plastic aligners from between six and eighteen months.

If your dentist determines that you are a good candidate for Invisalign, x-rays and photographs will be taken so that your new Invisalign aligners can be custom made. Once ready, you will only need to see your dentist once every six weeks to make sure that everything is going according to your Invisalign plan.

Invisalign clear plastic aligners are comfortable and nearly invisible. In fact, the only people who will know that you are wearing Invisalign will be you and your dentist.

Your Invisalign clear plastic aligners are removed when you eat or drink and when you brush and floss. Old school braces are notorious for tooth decay, as they cannot be removed when brushing or flossing. This can cause tooth decay to form, as it is impossible to brush underneath the brackets.

Invisalign is best for teens and adults and truly is the 21^st century approach to a beautiful smile.

If you would like more information regarding Invisalign or any other cosmetic dental procedure including porcelain veneers, dental implants, dental bonding, inlays, onlays, dental contouring or tooth colored fillings, call and schedule an appointment with your dentist who can come up with a Smile Design plan to get you smiling again. Call or click now.  

Foods that Can Help Sweeten Your Breath

Those raw onions may have been delicious piled high on that burger you had for lunch, but they certainly won’t do any favors for your breath. Most people have no idea that certain foods can mask what you eat, just keep in mind that garlic and onions are the most common instigators when it comes to halitosis or bad breath because they can stay in your system. Your dentist explains that garlic and onions contain oils that are carried from your bloodstream into your lungs giving everyone a sample of what you ate every time you exhale.

However, all is not lost as there are some foods you can eat that will give you an hour or two of relief until you are able to attack the bacteria in your mouth that is producing those foul odors.

According to your dentist, parsley is one of the best ways to treat bad breath and could be the reason that restaurants include a sprig of the herb on your plate. Cinnamon, spearmint, and peppermint are also good for halitosis thanks to the oils. Other herbs that work for bad breath include rosemary, eucalyptus, cardamom, cilantro, and coriander.

Skip the coffee and opt for a cup of green tea as it contains powerful antioxidants including catechin that can help ward off odor causing bacteria.

Recent studies show that the live active cultures contained in yogurt could help with that lingering odor from the garlic prawns that you had for lunch. Yogurt contains good bacteria that can overpower the foul smell caused by bad bacteria.

Pears and apples help saliva production. Saliva is essential when it comes to helping rebalance the ecology in your mouth. Other fruits that can help keep your bacteria in check include berries, melons, and oranges. Fruits that are loaded with Vitamin C not only help rid your mouth of bad bacteria, but can also fight against gum disease.

Carrots, cucumbers, and saliva encourage saliva production helping rid your mouth of odor causing bacteria.

Nuts and other almonds work like vegetables and fruit. According to your dentist, these tiny little toothbrushes help remove bacteria.

Other ways to prevent bad breath include drinking water and chewing sugarless gum. Water rinses your mouth while the gum promotes saliva production.

Of course, food is only a temporary fix. If you are constantly dealing with bad breath, it could have something to do with your oral health. Remember to brush twice and floss once each day, brush your tongue and use a fluoride mouthwash that is recommended by the American Dental Association, and don’t forget regularly scheduled checkups with your dentist.

It Begins with a Good Preventive Dentistry Plan

Preventive Dentistry is the most important thing to remember when it comes to the health of your teeth and gums. In fact, good oral hygiene can help prevent serious and even fatal diseases such as congestive heart failure, diabetes, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Schedule an appointment with your dentist if you are unsure about Preventive Dentistry. During your checkup, a list of good Preventive Dentistry habits will help you and your family keep your natural teeth for a good number of years.

Brushing twice and flossing once each day is the first step when it comes to Preventive Dentistry. Your dentist recommends that you swap out your old soft bristled brush for a new one about four times a year. Make sure that you use a soft bristled toothbrush as anything harder could cause damage to your gums. Use fluoride toothpaste and be sure that you check out the list of recommended dental products on the American DentalAssociation website.

Flossing is imperative if you want to prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease. Floss between your teeth shaping the floss like a V around each tooth.

Brushing your tongue can help remove bacteria and film that causes bad breath. Use your toothbrush, or purchase an ADA approved tongue scraper from your local pharmacy.

One of the biggest things people leave out when it comes to Preventive Dentistry is regular dental checkups. Again, the ADA recommends that you schedule appointments with your dentist twice a year, even more so if you have bleeding gums or a nagging toothache that just won’t go away.

When you visit your dentist, you will be given an oral cancer screening along with a thorough examination of your teeth and gums. X-rays will also be taken in order to detect any problems that may be going on with your dental restorations.

It’s never too late to begin a good Preventive Dentistry plan, even if you haven’t seen a dentist in years. Schedule your dental appointment today.

Sleep Apnea Could be Deadly

Sleep Apnea affects millions of people all over the world and according to your dentist is a potentially life threatening condition.

According to Web MD, there are two types of sleep apnea. The rarer of the two, Central Sleep Apnea, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Central Sleep Apnea is a condition that occurs when the brain isn’t sending the right signals to the muscles controlling your breathing. Obstructive Sleep Apnea happens when the muscles in your throat relax.

If you suffer from Central Sleep Apnea, you may wake up suddenly unable to breath. You may also have problems staying asleep or difficulty falling asleep. One of the most common causes of Central Sleep Apnea is heart failure. Your dentist explains that daytime sleepiness and snoring can occur with Central Sleep Apnea.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs when your muscles at the back of the throat relax. Once they relax, your breathing passageways narrow causing you to gasp for breath. Because your brain has the sense to wake you up, you will be startled several times when you are sleeping. Some people who suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea may wake up hundreds of times while sleeping. These constant disruptions will result in impaired ability during your waking hours, snoring and daytime sleepiness.

Some people who suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea may not even be aware that they have it. If you have a partner ask if you gasp for breath, gurgle, or wake up suddenly while you are asleep. If you sleep alone talk to your doctor about dental therapies such as sleep oral appliances that can help as heart problems and other complications can occur.

Some of the signs to look for with either type of sleep apnea include loud snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness. If you have episodes of breathing cessation or wake up abruptly feeling short of breath, you may have sleep apnea. Insomnia, attention problems, morning headaches, and waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth could also be signs that you have sleep apnea.

High blood pressure, heart problems, daytime fatigue, especially while driving, liver problems, and complications with surgery and medications could all stem from sleep apnea.

Although anyone, including children, can suffer from sleep apnea, people who carry too much weight, have thicker necks or narrowed airways may be more susceptible to sleep apnea. Men are two times more likely to suffer from sleep apnea, especially if they are overweight. Age can also cause sleep apnea as well as family history. Excessive use of tranquilizers, sedatives, or alcohol could cause your throat to relax resulting in sleep apnea.

If you believe you may be suffering from sleep apnea talk to your dentist who can custom make a sleep oral appliance to keep you from suffering. Schedule your appointment today.

Turn your Frown Upside Down with Invisalign

If you are unhappy with your smile, schedule an appointment with your dentist who can give you the toothy grin that you have always wanted.

Invisalign is the only way you can straighten your teeth without those cumbersome metal braces. This revolutionary new procedure can give teens and adults straight teeth in just six months to a year dependant on the patient.

Created in 1999, the orthodontic appliance uses a series of clear plastic aligners that are perfect for teens and adults who would rather not deal with metal wires and brackets.

Although metal braces have certainly changed over the years, they can still be cumbersome. Metal braces can cause all sorts of problems including mouth sores and tooth decay, not to mention numerous visits to your dentist for adjustments.

Because Invisalign aligners are removed when you eat, brush, and floss, you will not have to deal with cavities. When you wear metal braces you have to be especially careful, as the tiny spaces allow plaque and food particles to become trapped. You also have to avoid certain foods while you are wearing metal appliances.

With Invisalign, you can enjoy the foods you like without having to worry about starchy and sugary foods that can cause damage to the wires and actually loosen the brackets associated with traditional metal braces. Popcorn, hard candy, nuts, and caramels can cause damage to your metal appliances, as can healthy foods like apples and carrots.

Invisalign clear plastic aligners are worn 20 to 22 hours every day, and best of all, the only ones who will know you are wearing them will be you and your dentist. Braces must be worn 24 hours a day seven days a week and in some cases need to be on your teeth for up to two years.

If your dentist has determined that you are a good candidate for Invisalign you will be fitted for a series of between ten and thirty sets of custom-made Invisalign clear plastic aligners. Once you receive your first set of Invisalign aligners, you will change to a new set every two weeks helping your teeth shift until they have reached the desired position. Your dentist will schedule dental appointments every six weeks in order to ensure that your treatment is headed in the right direction.  

For more information regarding a new smile with Invisalign, schedule an appointment with your dentist who can determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign.