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Now that you are working hard to improve your dental health and appearance with your braces, it might seem like a logical time to whiten your teeth as well. But should you go ahead with home kits or a professional whitening? The answer might be yes, but not quite yet!

Toothpaste

The easiest way to whiten teeth is regular use of a whitening toothpaste. But these do not make a major difference in tooth color and may also contain abrasives which can damage ceramic brackets and make them more likely to stain. And, whether you have metal or ceramic braces, the brackets used are bonded to your teeth. Any part of your tooth covered by a bracket will not be affected by the whitening paste. Ask our office if you are thinking of using one of these products. We will be happy to recommend the best toothpastes to use while your braces are in place.

Whitening Strips and Trays

Whiteners can be applied at home with strips or tray kits. Strips are coated with a whitening gel and then pressed around your teeth. Tray kits provide a mouthguard-like appliance, which is filled with whitening gel. But neither strips nor tray solutions will whiten any area covered by brackets. When your braces come off, there might be noticeable differences in color on each tooth. Strips are difficult to apply with braces, and trays need to be custom-designed to fit your braces and make sure they don’t disturb your orthodontic work. One size most definitely does not fit all! Finally, these whitening agents can cause tooth and gum sensitivity, especially around the time of adjustments. Many manufacturers do not recommend using their products while you have braces. Please talk to us if you are thinking of using them.

Professional Whitening

A dental professional can whiten your teeth in office for the best possible results. The most effective treatments for your unique teeth are combined with protective care of your gums and mouth. Whether this treatment is appropriate while you have braces is something we are happy to discuss.

The best way to keep your teeth bright is to keep up your regular dental routine! Brushing and flossing are more important than ever now, because plaque builds up around brackets. Avoid foods that stain teeth and rinse or brush after every meal and snack. Dr. Betsy Meade will show you the best way to take care of your teeth while your braces are on—and that includes the best way to keep them white and bright. Talk to us about the perfect time to whiten your beautiful smile during your next visit to our Ypsilanti, MI office. And if you have to wait a few extra days for the smile you’ve been working toward, truly, the wait will be worth it!

Although spring is still in the air, we’d be hard-pressed to not be excited for the upcoming summer months. And with so many holidays and events going on in May, there has never been a better transition into the new season.

The days are getting warmer which means a favorite summertime activity is coming back: swimming! There’s just something about wading around in the water that just always brings a smile to our faces. And after a nice time swimming, there is nothing like a sweet treat to end the day on a high note. Hot fudge sundaes are the way to go; brownies, vanilla ice cream, hot fudge – yum!

Summer is more than just the activities and treats, though, and our team is excited to be with their family and loved ones, especially Haley who will be spending days at the track as her fiancé does motocross racing!

But sometimes you need to live in the now, and luckily for us, there is so much going on this month. May is host to National Teacher Day, and we have such great respect for our teachers! Without their guidance and support, our world would be vastly different. And speaking of education, our team will be going to DC next to continue ours! Our team is always looking to improve our abilities to provide the best service possible.

And, of course, there is no way to forget Mother’s Day. Take her out to a nice dinner with the family to spread some love and support – she deserves it!  Oh, did we mention Star Wars? Our office enjoys that universe immensely, so Star Wars Day on May 4 will be a fun day for us. May the fourth be with you all!

Any plans of your own coming up? Tell us about them next time you’re in the office. And whatever plans or summer prep you have in store, we hope they go off without a hitch!

Contrary to popular belief, orthodontic treatment is not just for older children and teens who have alignment and spacing issues. At our Ypsilanti, MI office, orthodontic treatment offers many benefits for children at a young age.

Dr. Betsy Meade can identify your child’s alignment issues early, and provide treatment as the teeth begin to develop. It’s crucial to start dental care early, not only for proper dental health and cosmetic benefits, but to improve your child’s overall health.

The Benefits of Straighter Teeth

Aside from cosmetic benefits, starting orthodontic treatment at a young age offers many other advantages. A pediatric dentist can help guide the teeth into their proper position to prevent teeth extractions or bite problems, and even reduce the extent of orthodontic treatment later on.

Your youngster will enjoy the confidence of having straight teeth that, as an added bonus, will be easier to clean. Parents will be happy to hear the earlier your child gets treatment, the less your orthodontic expenses could be; plus, it is often covered by dental insurance.

Stages of Orthodontic Treatment

Multiple stages are included in early orthodontic treatment, but there are three main stages.

Stage 1: Treatment starts around age two or three until the child is around six. This stage includes preventive measures to avoid habits that lead to crooked teeth, and monitoring how the teeth grow in.

Stage 2: The first permanent teeth appear around age six to 12 years old and the dentist looks at possible early treatment for misalignment or bite issues.

Stage 3: Any further problems with permanent teeth are corrected during adolescence.

Dr. Betsy Meade and our staff are able to see early on whether your child will need to have braces in adolescence. Early treatment means fewer procedures, cleaner teeth, and less expense for parents. It’s a win-win for everyone!

Incognito™ lingual braces offer the effectiveness of traditional braces minus the look of a mouth full of metal. They’re placed on the back of your teeth and won’t be visible to others unless you have widely spaced teeth. Dr. Betsy Meade would love to help you determine if this would be a good treatment option for you.

Benefits of Incognito Lingual Braces

For many patients, the biggest benefit of Incognito lingual braces is that they are rarely perceived by anyone. Patients are able to talk and smile without feeling self-conscious about wearing braces.

Another perk is that they are just as effective as standard braces. Patients enjoy the pleasing aesthetic aspect without compromising on time or results! Lingual braces are also a great option for patients who have plastic sensitivities or can’t wear other types of clear braces.

Who can get lingual braces?

Although many patients qualify for lingual braces, not everyone is a good candidate. The best candidates are teenagers and adults with normal-sized teeth and no bite issues. Children often have smaller teeth, so lingual braces may not be suitable.

If you’re thinking about correcting your smile but don’t want traditional braces, talk to Dr. Betsy Meade or visit our Ypsilanti, MI office today. We can determine whether lingual braces are the right choice for you, so you can have the smile you’ve always wanted!