Tips from Beim Orthodontics for a Healthy Smile

Protect Your Face

It’s National Facial Protection Month so Beim Orthodontics would like to remind everyone to protect those faces (and those smiles) this spring. 

  

Photo provided by perfectteeth.com

Did you know spring is one of the busiest times in emergency rooms for mouth and facial injuries?  Several of these injuries happen in the spring because they are sports-related accidents that could have easily been prevented with the use of sports safety equipment. 

By utilizing equipment like helmets and mouth guards, children and adults can avoid serious facial injuries. Just by wearing a mouth guard or helmet, patients can reduce the risk of concussions, knocking out teeth, or breaking jaw bones. Most coaches recommend a mouth guard or helmet, but unfortunately several athletes stray away from these two very important pieces of equipment because they don’t comprehend the importance of wearing them.  

We can’t stress enough the importance of simply wearing a mouth guard or helmet during organized sports and activities. There are 3 different types of mouth guards on the market today...all of which will help to protect your smile.  

• Custom-Fitted Mouth Guards - Made by your dentist for you personally.
• Stock Mouth Guards - Pre-formed and may offer a bulky fit. 
• Boil and Bite Mouth Guards - Softened in boiling water and then inserted and allowed to adapt to the shape of your mouth. 

Mouth guards are a smart investment for your health, so be sure to make the use of a mouth guard a routine. If you have any questions regarding facial protection, please contact Beim Orthodontics at 407-323-0600.

  

Selfies 101

Photo provided by livefortech.com

We know, at first it seemed a little silly, all these people taking photos of themselves and posting them online. But did you know that taking selfies is a great way to show off your personality and confidence? 

Taking a selfie is an art form in itself. A great selfie is more than just a quick camera click, it actually takes a level of skill to capture and edit the perfect one. But don't worry...Beim Orthodontics has your back. We have some simple techniques, that when practiced, will make you a selfie master in no time at all.

1. Capture Your Best Angle. Instead of taking the picture head-on, turn your head a little to the right or left, or maybe hold your camera a little higher.  Try different angles to show off your best features. 
2. Show Off Something New. If you decide to take a selfie to show off something new, like…oh we don’t know, maybe your braces, make sure that you frame the photo in a way that highlights the new accessory that has you so excited. 
3. Have Expression. You can never go wrong with smiling! Play around with different smiles and expressions and have fun! No matter what, a smile is the best expression you can wear.  
4. Focus on Lighting. A great light source is an essential part of taking any photograph. Natural light is best, so start taking those selfies near a window or outdoors. 
5.  Don't Use a Mirror. Just stretch your arm out, point the camera toward your face and click. You can use your face forward camera to make it easier!  

Ok, now you’re ready! Upload those selfies to all of your feeds…Instagram, Facebook, anywhere and everywhere. Are you a patient of Beim Orthodontics? Then tag us in your selfies, we'd love to see your smiling faces! Use #BeimOrtho!

This Stinks

Photo provided by oralb.com

After getting braces, new patients may develop bad breath from not cleaning their teeth properly. Simply doing a quick job brushing your teeth is not enough to keep your teeth in great shape, especially when you wear braces. Bacteria feeds on food particles leftover after you eat, and this sneaky bacterium creates an unpleasant odor.  

We certainly understand bad breath can be uncomfortable to talk about, but it happens to most of us. The important thing to do if you’re experiencing bad breath (or know someone who is) is to determine the root of the problem. The most common factor for bad breath our patients is almost typically caused by poor oral hygiene.

It's important to brush immediately after every meal or snack or at least rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash if you aren’t able to brush. Bad breath-causing odors and bacteria can also cling to removable orthodontics (like a retainer or clear aligners), so be sure to remove them before eating, even if you're only having a snack. Make sure to ask at your next appointment for a few tips to help keep your Beim Orthodontics smile in tip-top shape!
 

Eating With Braces

Photo provided by oralb.com

Now that you have your braces, what foods can you still enjoy? While some foods are off limits, don't worry, you'll be eating popcorn and snacking on potato chips again in no time! However, before you can start enjoying some of the treats you love, you will need to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances.

Foods to AVOID with braces:

• Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
• Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice
• Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum
• Hard foods — nuts, hard candies
• Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots

Foods you CAN eat with braces:

• Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
• Breads — soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
• Grains — pasta, soft cooked rice
• Meats/poultry — soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
• Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes
• Vegetables — mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
• Fruits — applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
• Treats — ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake

Always remember to maintain a good oral care routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing to keep your teeth looking their best, and they’ll look even better when your braces are removed. 

If you have any questions regarding your braces, please be sure to talk with the staff at Beim Orthodontics during your next visit.

Avoiding Orthodontic Emergencies

At Beim Orthodontics we know that even with the best of care, braces can cause soreness to your mouth. This soreness is the way your body reacts to your teeth as they begin to move. Your braces play an important part in helping to create a healthy and beautiful smile but you may experience a few side effects while wearing them that are common and can be easily treated.

Canker Sores

Canker sores are a common occurrence when braces rub inside the mouth. There are ointments available to reduce the pain and irritation associated with mouth sores. We recommend Canker-X gel and we can provide you with a sample to try.

Loose Brackets

If you have a loose bracket you can apply a small amount of orthodontic wax to the bracket temporarily. You might also apply a little between the braces and the soft tissue of your mouth. Please call the office for an appointment.

Loose Bands

The band will need to be reattached. Please call the office for an appointment and remember to bring the band with you.

Broken or Protruding Wires

The eraser end of a pencil can be used to move the wire carefully to a less painful spot. If you are unable to move it, apply orthodontic wax to the tip. If a mouth sore develops, rinse with warm salt water or antiseptic rinse. Please call the office for an appointment to trim or adjust the wire.

Loose Spacers

If a spacer (separator) becomes dislodged it may need to be repositioned and sometimes replaced. Please call the office to see if they need to be replaced.

Remember, braces aren't forever but your smile is!

If you have questions or any concerns during your treatment, or simply have a question that you'd like to ask, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to help! 

The Best Floss Ever

Photo provided by oralb.com

If you’ve visited the dental care aisle recently, the sheer number of options available can be overwhelming. We often have patients ask us which floss is the “best” type of floss. In essence, all of the options on the market today do the same thing, and at the end of the day it comes down to personal preference. We’ve listed a few of the options below.   

Flossers: Flossers are small plastic instruments with a single floss strip and a pick on the opposite end. This option can be both effective at cleaning the areas in between your teeth and scraping off plaque. These flossers come in flavored varieties as well. They are a great “on the go” option. 

Gentle Dental Floss: Some people will find that regular dental floss is too harsh on their gums. For that reason, several options are available that have soft coatings that are less abrasive on the gums. Typically, gentle floss is just as effective as regular floss and an ideal match for anyone looking for a more sensitive approach to flossing. 

Flavored Dental Floss: Flavored dental floss will freshen your breath while you floss! We suggest flavored dental floss if it prompts you to floss your teeth regularly. 

Of all of the options, it is difficult to choose the absolute best type of floss. However, Dr. Beim and our team feel that the type of floss that works best for you, giving you the greatest chance of succeeding at regular flossing, is the ultimately best choice. For more information on floss, or flossing with braces, ask us at your next appointment. There are many ways to make it both easy AND effective.