We have a mountain of congratulations to wish our lovely assistant, Haley! First and foremost - she and the love of her life, John, were just recently married! And in no time at all, they have just purchased their first house together! We are so incredibly happy for Haley and John! Next time you're in the office, be sure to ask her if she is all unpacked yet! Congratulations, Haley!
While braces play an important part in helping to create a healthy mouth and teeth, you might experience a few side effects while wearing them that are common and can be easily treated.
Even with the best of care, braces can cause soreness to your mouth. As your teeth begin to move, it is natural for your teeth to feel aches and your jaw to develop soreness.
If there are broken wires or loose bands on your braces, a sore tongue, mouth, or canker sore will occur. 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. Dr. Betsy Meade and Dr. Christopher Riolo urges those who experience a sore mouth or any of the following problems to call our office to schedule an appointment.
Foods to Avoid
Some foods can also help or hurt you while you’re wearing braces. Remember to cut your food into small pieces that can be easily chewed. You will want to avoid hard and chewy foods that can break your hardware. Foods such as corn on the cob, nuts, carrots, apples, ice, and bubble gum should be avoided.
Braces, rubber bands, springs, and other mouth appliances associated with braces will normally attract food particles and plaque. Without the proper care, this could cause staining of your teeth.
Our staff at Meade & Riolo Orthodontics recommend brushing after every meal or snack and carefully removing any food that might be lodged in the braces. A fluoride mouthwash might be helpful as well as flossing. At your next appointment, Dr. Betsy Meade and Dr. Christopher Riolo can advise you how to floss with a brush specially designed for braces!
We’re not sure about all of you, but we’re getting REALLY excited for University of Michigan football being right around the corner! As many of you know, Dr. Meade is an avid fan of her Alma Mater sports teams in Ann Arbor, and she’s always thinking of ways to do something fun and special for her patients.
That’s why Dr. Meade will be giving away 4 of her University of Michigan football tickets to the game against Central Michigan University on August 31st, 2013! To enter the drawing, all you need to do is fill out a short questionnaire in our office – pretty easy, right?
We can’t wait to see who will be going to support the Wolverines in August, so be sure to enter the drawing the next time you’re in the office – or you can always swing by to fill out the questionnaire and enter if you don’t have an appointment coming up!
Good luck, and GO BLUE!
If you’re wearing braces, then you know they are working hard to straighten your teeth. However, those hard-working braces are also preventing you from easily cleaning your teeth. It is essential that you put some extra attention into preventing tooth decay while wearing your braces. When your braces are finally removed by Dr. Betsy Meade and Dr. Christopher Riolo, you want a beautiful, white smile, not decayed or stained teeth. Here, we’ve listed the five best ways to ensure you have the smile you’ve always dreamed of once your braces are gone.
USE A SPECIAL TOOTHBRUSH
A regular toothbrush just doesn’t cut it when you are wearing braces. You also need to use an interdental toothbrush so that you can effectively clean behind the braces. According to HealthGuidance.org, this type of brush has bristles that are shaped like a Christmas tree that can remove food residue in the braces and on the teeth. We also recommend using a WaterPik, with its highly pressurized pulsating water, to help get all of those hard-to-reach places.
BRUSH AFTER EVERY MEAL
Since braces block food from naturally escaping your teeth after eating, it’s important that you take the time to brush and floss after every meal. The less time food has to sit on your teeth, the less likely it is to cause decay. This may seem like an inconvenience, but trust us, when you get your braces off, you will be very glad you brushed after every meal.
DON’T FORGET THE MOUTH RINSE
Even after properly brushing and flossing, there are probably some food particles in your braces. A fluoride mouth rinse is the best way to ensure that every bit of food is removed after meals. If you do not have a mouth rinse available, we suggest using water — it’s better than nothing.
AVOID SWEETS
Prevention is definitely the best medicine when it comes to avoiding tooth decay. If you can nix decay-causing sugary foods from the outset, we promise you’ll spend less time trying to treat problems in the future.
GET REGULAR CHECKUPS
Visit your dentist regularly while you are wearing braces. Our office recommends a thorough cleaning every three to six months. Let our Ypsilanti, MI office know if you have questions about your oral health while in braces - our entire team at Meade & Riolo Orthodontics is here to make sure your teeth are as beautifully straight as they are healthy!
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